Somerset’s independent businesses have struck gold in the prestigious Muddy Stilettos awards, capturing nine regional titles including best boutique stay, hair salon, and restaurant. From top destination pubs to yoga and pilates studios, the winners span 21 lifestyle categories.
In the Dorset, Somerset & Bristol region, Aurora Kusina in Shepton Mallet claimed the Casual Dining award, while The Packhorse in South Stoke was crowned the best Destination Pub. Burnworthy Retreat near Taunton took home the top honor for Boutique Stay.
Additionally, Ben Russell Salon in Ilminster triumphed in the hair salon category, and No. 15 Bath emerged as the Hotel award winner. Waterside Country Barn in Bradford-on-Tone was lauded as the judges' favorite in the Event Venue category.
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The winning businesses from Somerset will now advance to the 2025 national awards, where five finalists in each category will compete for the “Best of the Best” title in June.
Here are the Somerset winners, in bold:
Arts, Culture & Theatre: Artsreach (Dorchester)
Bar: 6 O’clock Gin at The Glassboat (Bristol)
Beauty Salon / Clinic: The Venue Beauty Salon & Clinic (Bournemouth)
Boutique Stay: Burnworthy Retreat (near Taunton)
Café: The Cowshed Dorset (Lytchett Minister)
Casual Dining: Aurora Kusina (Shepton Mallet)
Children’s Business: Kite (Poole)
Destination Pub: The Packhorse (South Stoke)
Event Venue: Waterside Country Barn (Bradford-on-Tone)
Family Experience: Nothe Fort (Weymouth)
Farm Shop / Deli: Gulliver’s Farm Shop (West Moors)
Florist: Tied (Swanage)
Hair Salon: Ben Russell Salon (Ilminster)
Hotel: No. 15 Bath, by GuestHouse (Bath)
Lifestyle Store: The Country Crib (Sherborne)
Local Food / Drink Producer: The Cherry Tree (Martock)
Restaurant: Alfredo’s (Somerton)
Sport & Fitness Instructor: Sean Burgess, SB Fitness (Poole)
Wellbeing Specialist: The Body Retreat (near Dorchester)
Women’s Style: Deadly is the Female (Frome)
Yoga / Pilates Studio: Sìdà Yoga (Portland)
Hero Brown, founder and editor-in-chief of Muddy Stilettos, expressed her excitement, saying: “I set up these awards 12 years ago to give local lifestyle indies a chance to shine. It’s been an honor to showcase these most creative, innovative lifestyle businesses across Dorset, Somerset & Bristol, in partnership with our local sponsor Porter Dodson solicitors.
“The response to this year’s Muddy Awards has been incredible, with thousands voting to support an amazing array of local businesses big and small.”
For a full list of Muddy Awards 2025 winners across all 35 counties nationally, visit muddystilettos.co.uk/awards/counties