Award Winning Experience

Just months after opening its doors to the public, we are delighted to announce that the CWGC Experience was awarded the Best Tourism Project in Europe at the British Guild of Travel Writers’ International Tourism Awards. The award recognises excellence in tourism.

Up against stiff competition from the Bauhaus Museum Weimar, Weimar, Germany and the Oodi – Helsinki Central Library, Finland; the CWGC brought home the prize at an awards ceremony at the Savoy Hotel London on 3 November.

Director General, Victoria Wallace who collected the award said “I am rather blown away that the British Guild of Travel Writers’, has recognised the CWGC Experience as the Best Tourism Project in Europe. It goes to show what a small budget, clear vision, great advice and support, an authentic voice and excellent design can achieve. Massive congratulations to all of the team involved.”

The BGTW is a community of accredited writers, photographers and broadcasters and the trusted body for independent editorial comment and expert content on worldwide travel. Their annual awards evening is one of the highlights of the industry’s calendar – bringing together more than 300 BGTW members, ambassadors, ministers of state, travel and tourism CEOs, top executives, key travel editors, journalists and bloggers.

The CWGC Experience nomination came from John Ruler, a Guild journalist, after he visited the centre for himself.

Commenting on the project, John said: “We all know the work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission through both the Great War Commemorations and more recently the D-Day Landings. But do we? Not really, confesses the CWGC, which is why in June this year it opened the CWGC Experience. Described, as ‘emphatically not a museum‘ it offers a unique chance for a family audience to watch, and chat with, specialist craftsmen be it firing up a forge to restore bronze gates or putting 21st century technology to work on creating or cleaning headstones.”

On 11 November, the centre will host a special day of remembrance activity – with demonstrations of our work and an opportunity to mark the traditional two-minute silence. All are welcome.