Pendragon Country House in Davidstow, has achieved Visit Britain's highest rating for its guest accommodation business in less than two years.

Today, the old vicarage is a successful wedding and events venue as well. This grand vicarage built in 1871 has been faithfully restored to a late Victorian style using fine antiques and rich luscious fabrics and furniture.

Nigel and Sharon Reed secured the property in April 2008 and have a truly family business along with Nigel's mother, Sue. Despite bringing up two young children (four years and 16 months), the new business was rated five star silver award in its first year of operation. This seemed to cause quite a stir within Visit Britain, prompting the area manager, James Foice, to visit the property to validate the award.

The gold award for excellence along with the newly formed breakfast award is testament to the efforts and passion that Sharon and Nigel pour into everything they do. "People ask us in wonder, how we find the time to do all this? I can never really answer," said Sharon. "The anonymous hotel inspector who gave the award stayed on April 14 and there was a marquee wedding held on the April 17, so it has been a whirlwind start to the busy tourist season."

See this week's 'Post' for a full report.