bottles of unopened champagne on a table

The fizz was chillin’…

…the goody bags were stuffed with Atlantic Spirit Gin (and a branded enamel camping mug thoughtfully provided from our sponsor Kitsons Solicitors in case the winners got thirsty on their way home)…

terrace at Becketts Rooftop Bar in Exeter

Blue velvet seating at Becketts Rooftop Bar, Exeter

…and our host was the stunning Becketts Rooftop Bar. Hotel Indigo’s latest addition to Exeter’s hospitality scene overlooks the city skyline and affords the best birds’ eye view of Exeter Cathedral out there.

interior of Becketts Rooftop Bar in Exeter

Yep, it could only be the great big beautiful Muddy Devon Awards 2023 bash where over 50 of this year’s fabulous winners and their partners gathered to collect their certificates and raise a glass to each other’s success.

And what a night it was, with the best turn-out of stilettos this editor has ever seem, but thankfully no mud, as the torrential rain we’d had the night before held off, and unlike last year, I even managed to remember to bring my speech.

Having dropped the awards’ window-stickers while giving said speech, ooh only two or three or times, it was a big thank you to Sadie (above), owner of Atlantic Spirit Gin for providing her botanically-inspired gin-tastic drinks to the winners. We also congratulated her on being the only woman to swim the treacherous stretch from Hartland Point to Lundy Island. Respect due.

Thanks to our official beauty partner of the National Muddy Awards 2023, Beauty Pie, winners could leave looking even more gorgeous with a free 3-month membership (psssst you can nab the special offer too here.)

left to right Muddy Devon editor Lisa Buckland, Jayme Nicholson and Rhodri Davey from Kitsons Solicitors and Muddy Devon commercial manager Laura Fulner — L-R: Moi, Kitsons Head of Employment Jayme Nicholson and Managing Partner Rhodri Davey and Muddy Devon Commercial Manager Laura Fulner

We also applauded our marvellous Muddy Devon Awards sponsor for the third year running Kitsons Solicitors. Established in Torquay in 1826, with offices in Exeter and Plymouth, they’re pushing 200 years old and, we all agreed, looking good on it. See you for round four in 2024, Kitsons!

Hotel Indigo’s Sales Manager, Agne (above centre), stepped up to say a few words, reminding us there is also another fabulous bar and grill downstairs, Colson’s, as well as The Retreat, their luxury spa. Useful to know should you need an overhaul after enjoying yourself too much in their brilliant bars.

Jill and Justin owners of Chill Café in Tavistock

We also gave a big shout-out to Jill (above left) from Chill Café, who not only was celebrating scooping Devon’s Best New Lifestyle Business 2023 but also her birthday. We spared her the bumps but we did present her with a topnotch bottle of local Pebblebed rosé (once I’d retrieved it from under a pile of dropped window stickers).

Last but far from least, it was a big whoop for Jo Cunningham (above), a Topsham-based wedding photographer who having scooped the top slot herself as Muddy Devon’s Best Photographer 2022 did sterling work making us look dazzling in the pics. Jo, you’re a marvel, thank you.

A huge thank you to all of YOU for voting and supporting your lovely locals. An unprecedented 800K nominations and votes across the Muddy counties (with 77k businesses nominated) – a brilliant turnout for Muddy’s 10th birthday.

All that remains is to remind you of your worthy champions across Devon for 2023. Print off the list, work your way through them and enjoy!

Best art gallery Muddy Devon Awards 2023 — Best Art Gallery, Magenta Fine Art, Ilfracombe

Best Beauty Salon Muddy Awards Devon 2023 — Best Beauty Salon/Clinic, The Retreat Beauty Salon, Barnstaple

Best Boutique Stay Sleepy Owl Devon, Hartland

best Day Spa Muddy Awards Devon 2023 — Best Day Spa Sirona Spa, Chudleigh

Sue and Anthony of Johns Deli — Best Farm Shop/Deli John’s of Instow

Best Florist Muddy Devon Awards 2023 — Best Florist, Catkin Blooms, Winkleigh

Best Local Food/Drink Producer Muddy Devon Awards 2023 — Best Local Food/Drink Producer The Pure Stock Company, Exeter

Best Fitness Instructor, Muddy Devon Awards 2023 — Best Fitness Instructor, Cheryl Brown CB All-Round Fitness, Exeter

Best Hair Salon Muddy Devon Awards 2023 — Best Hair Salon, Amore Hair, Plymouth

Best Hotel/Inn Muddy Devon Awards 2023 — Best Hotel/Inn (30+ rooms), Woolacombe Bay Hotel, Woolacombe

Best Jeweller Muddy Devon Awards 2023 — Best Jeweller, Erin Cox Jewellery, Topsham

Best Lifestyle Store Muddy Devon Awards 2023 — Best Lifestyle Store, Storeys & Tails, Bideford

Best New Lifestyle Start-up Muddy Devon Awards 2023 — Best New Lifestyle Start-up Chill Café, Tavistock

Best Sustainable Business, MooBoo Home, Cockington

Best Wedding Venue Muddy Devon Awards 2023 — Best Wedding Venue, Rockbeare Manor, nr Exeter

Best Wedding Photographer Muddy Devon Awards 2023 — Best Wedding Photographer Josh Iskander Photography

Best Women's Fashion Muddy Awards Devon 2023 — Best Women’s Fashion Identity Fashion, Plymouth

Best Yoga/Pilates Studio Muddy Devon awards 2023 — Best Yoga/Pilates Studio Exe Pilates, Exmouth

That’s it from the Muddy Awards 2023, folks! If you’re a brilliant business, we’ll be back with a chance for you to join this cool crowd in spring 2024. See you there!

Celebrate! The Muddy Awards do 2023

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