CORINIUM Museum staff are celebrating after winning Bronze in the Small Visitor Attraction category at this year’s South West Tourism Awards.

The awards ceremony for finalists took place last week in Torquay and was hosted by BBC presenter Vanessa Graham.

Opening the event Robin Barker of Services for Tourism stated: “We have seen a record 647 entries across the South West, and I’d like to commend you – the South West’s leading tourism businesses for your vision, investment, hard work and excellence.

“You have had the courage to put yourselves forward to be judged, have been through a 3-phase judging process, and will all be winners tonight.”

Corinium Museum Director Amanda Hart said: “Behind the scenes at the Corinium Museum, dedicated staff have been working away on two major grant-funded projects.

“However, to our visitors it is business as usual, therefore we have continued to offer a wide-ranging programme events and a memorable visitor experience.

“As one of only two museums to make it through to the South West Tourism finals, I am delighted that this achievement has been recognised and celebrated with a Bronze Award for ‘Best Small Visitor Attraction.’ The Museum is currently planning improvements to the Prehistory and Early Roman galleries through the Heritage Lottery Funded ‘Stone Age to Corinium’ project.

The new galleries, discovery centre and garden will ensure visitors have an even better cultural experience when they visit Corinium Museum.

An Arts Council England Resilience funded rebranding and new website project is also underway with results to be seen in the very near future.

Councillor Stephen Hirst, Portfolio Holder for Culture added: “This award is well deserved, and I would like to thank the dedicated staff at the Corinium Museum who always work hard to provide an outstanding visitor experience.

“The Museum is undoubtedly the jewel in the Cotswold crown – its large and internationally significant collections of archaeology, social and rural history attract people of all ages from near and far, and it is rightly acknowledged as a treasure trove of Roman artefacts.

“Over the years, this impressive attraction has won many awards, and this prestigious new accolade recognises its continuing appeal.”