The sun was shining and the drinks overflowing! Yes, it was time for my Muddy partner in crime Laura and I to get dolled up and celebrate the wonderful winners of the Muddy Awards 2024, sponsored nationally by Tide Banking.

The winners of the Muddy Awards 2024 – and as voted by you – gathered to celebrate being crowned the ‘best of the best’ in the absolutely gorgeous Duchy of Cornwall Nursery.

If it looks familiar, it might be because we loved it so much the last few years that we were delighted to head back again this year – and what a gorgeous evening it was. Once again we gathered in the stunning upper terrace at the top of the gardens make the most of the countryside views across to Restormel Castle, and the sun actually shone!

Frankly, the whole thing was once again a blast from beginning to end. Getting to meet inspirational, creative people – after all finding brilliant local businesses is right at the heart of Muddy and we really do love it.

This year, across all 28 Muddy counties, your nominated businesses reached an astonishing 10 million people in 8 weeks, with over half a million votes and nominations cast nationally, making it the most popular Muddy Awards to date.

Running a business requires great effort and to make it a successful one that brightens up our daily lives, adding to our community, is no mean feat . So it’s an honour to be able to celebrate this on behalf of hard-working business owners across Cornwall.

Once everyone had arrived I said a few words and thank yous, and then it was down to the serious business of toasting, celebrating and handing out the certificates!

Our woman behind the camera for the day this year was Frankie Thomas, one of Cornwall’s 30 under 30, and food, interiors and hospitality photographer. Thanks to her, all our winners have some fab photos to use – and if you’re looking for someone to help you bring your brand to life through images, she’s who you need.

We drank Find & Foster Devonshire Cider, served by Gina, chosen by Wild Wine Woman Debbie who runs Wild Wine School, and beautiful 20s style gothic inspired garden spritzes with sweet William and lime, thanks to the Duchy of Cornwall Nursery team.

The Nursery also provided a delicious afternoon tea for all our guests, thanks to chef Chris, which was a real summer treat. We’ve also got a voucher for an afternoon tea at the Duchy of Cornwall Nursery for one lucky reader to say thank you for all your votes. Head to Reader Treats to enter.

All the winners took home a goodie bag to say thank you from the team at the Duchy of Cornwall Nursery and Muddy Cornwall, thanks to Tregothnan and Seed Ball.

But there would be no party with no awards, and no awards with no readers to vote for their most loved indie businesses, so it’s a big heartfelt THANK YOU from me to you for taking the time to give your local favourites a pat on the back and showing your support for the Muddies.

And last but very much not least, thank you to the team from the Duchy of Cornwall Nursery – Claire, Carl, Naomi, Kim, Chris and the rest of the team, who pulled out all the stops to put on a brilliant event. I couldn’t recommend them more highly.

I also just want to take the opportunity once more to say a massive CONGRATS to everyone who found themselves nominated, a finalist and eventually a winner. It really hit home to me how much talent, character and good-feeling there is here in Cornwall.

See you in 2025 but until then, give a virtual round of applause to (and then go visit) …

Full list of who won the Muddy Awards 2024 Cornwall

ARTS, CULTURE & THEATRE VENUE Penwith Gallery (St Ives) 

BAR Plonk’d (Wadebridge)

BEAUTY SALON / CLINIC Beautique (Newquay)

BOUTIQUE STAY Winnow, Beach Retreats (Watergate Bay, Newquay)

CAFÉ Shiva (Nansledan, Newquay)

CASUAL DINING Summer House (Perranporth)

CHILDREN’S BUSINESS Cornwall Childcare (St Breward, Bodmin) 

DESTINATION PUB The Plume of Feathers (Mitchell)

EVENT VENUE The Barn at Pengelly (Trispen, Truro)

FAMILY ATTRACTION The National Lobster Hatchery (Padstow) 

FARM SHOP / DELI Boscastle Farm Shop (Boscastle)

FITNESS INSTRUCTOR Jen Matthews, Be Fit Cornwall (St Ives) 

FLORIST Jane Lawrence Flowers (Rock) 

HAIR SALON Marzipan Hair (Truro)

HOTEL Carbis Bay Hotel & Estate (Carbis Bay, St Ives) 

LIFESTYLE STORE Just Lily, St Ives (St Ives) 

LOCAL FOOD / DRINK PRODUCER Sarah’s Cake Shop (Looe) 

RESTAURANT The Mulberry (Falmouth) 

WINE & BEER SPECIALIST Red Elephant Beer Cellar (Truro) 

WOMEN’S FASHION / ACCESSORIES Love of Lemons Vintage (Nansledan, Newquay) 

YOGA / PILATES STUDIO Oceanflow Yoga (Newquay)