It was smiles all round for the 27 worthy winners who nailed it to win the best in their category in a year that has seen an impressive 750,000 businesses nominated across the Muddy counties, and a yet another record number of votes from our readers. I know we say it every year, but this year voter numbers were fantastic – 865,000 votes across all the Muddy counties.

Thank you to all of you who voted and made the awards possible. It’s our biggest pleasure to meet and support brilliant local businesses and then tell you about them so you can enjoy them too! Here’s a reminder of the winners so you can see what makes them so special over the next 12 months.

Lily and Becky from Bocketts Farm, the winner of Best Family Attraction. *Fiona Kelly Photography*

Best Yoga / Pilates Studio: Millie Henderson and Linda Segerstam from ZH Pilates and Wellness Club. *Fiona Kelly Photography*

This year’s party was a fun affair in what must surely be one of the most beautiful settings in Surrey – Denbies Wine Estate near Dorking. It was a civilised midday celebration to make the most of the summer and the sun and those gorgeous views across the vineyards at Denbies.

We were in The Restaurant at the Vineyard Hotel, a beautiful space with floor to ceiling glass doors that open onto a terrace overlooking the vines. It’s the perfect place for a summer soirée!

Of course we sipped Denbies delicious Whitedowns Sparkling Wine, and the food was incredible – a buffet lunch from the Denbies kitchens – and if that makes you feel peckish, The Restaurant here is open in the evening to local visitors as well as guests staying overnight. Having dined there myself, I can personally recommend it.

Goodie bags were goody indeed, filled with lovely local brands – hand-poured soy candles with essential oils by Inzho (based in Haslemere); gin from Wessex Distillery near Godalming and Batts Hill Gin, based in Reigate, who also won the award for Best Local Producer. We also had bags of Spanish Picos de Pan (miniature bread sticks) from José Pizarro at the Swan Inn in Claygate, sweet cones from Over The Rainbow Surrey, and bottles of Hurt Liqueur, made from the Hurt berry which grows only in the Surrey Hills. It doesn’t get much more exclusive and local than that!

The whole event was captured on film by the talented Fiona Kelly Photography – who takes beautiful images for brands and events as well as portraits and weddings And our fabulous balloon ring, which totally made the room, came from party planners, Danielle and Laura at Over the Rainbow Surrey.

Best Bookshop: Clive Albury and Mel Sibley from The Sam Beare Bookshop in Weybridge. *Fiona Kelly Photography*

Victoria, from Shine On, won the award for Best Jeweller. *Fiona Kelly Photography*

The Reigate crew: Claire and Jules from The Skimmington Castle (Best Destination Pub); and Delano and Brad from Batts Hill Distillery (Best Local Producer). *Fiona Kelly Photography*

Bethany Howard and Helen Dobrak from Hartsfield Manor (Best Hotel).

Dorking Halls is multiple winner of Best Theatre in Surrey. General Manager Keith Garrow was on hand to collect the award. *Fiona Kelly Photography*

And the winners are: Hayleigh Russell from Kate Tulett Art (Best Art Space); Aldo and Nikki Zilli from CASA ZILLI (Best Restaurant); Emily Watson (Best Fitness Instructor); Andrew Graves from The Ginistry (Best Bar); Becca Cowing from The Fashion Basement; Amy Knight from Pedrick’s Zero Waste Shop (Best Sustainable Business); Laura Brunwin from Lyla and Leche (Best New Start-up). *Fiona Kelly Photography*

Nino and Siobhan Pinto from Café Primo in Horsell (Best Café). *Fiona Kelly Photography*

Jack Bumstead and Amanda Dougans from Langshott Manor (Best Boutique Stay). *Fiona Kelly Photography*

Dorking champs: Emma Walton and Sally Devereux from Mayflower Spa and Beauty (Best Beauty Salon); Samantha and Mery Ann from Wotton Country House Estate (Best Wedding Venue); Clare Hill and Chris Brice from That Lovely Shop (Best Lifestyle Store); Tania and Hannah MacLennan from Bride by Aster (Best Bridal Store). *Fiona Kelly Photography*

Corinne Sterry and Sam Carter from the Baloolah Hair Station in Cobham, who won Best Hair Salon. *Fiona Kelly Photography*

Last but not least, for the first time this year we had a national sponsor, Healthily – the award-winning wellness app – and my heartfelt thanks to our local partner Wellies and Windbreaks, boutique holiday rentals company with a portfolio of utterly gorgeous stays in the Witterings.

And that, as they say, is a wrap… until next year!

Team Muddy Surrey: Amber and Sam.

Muddy Awards 2022! It’s a wrap!

You may also like