Seaside b&b where 'everyone is like family' is the best in the uk

THE SUNNYSIDE BED AND BREAKFAST IS A QUINTESSENTIAL NORTHERN B&B 05:00, 06 Jun 2025 A seaside B&B where guests are "like family" has officially been named the best in the

UK. The Sunnyside Bed and Breakfast is a quintessential northern B&B, there’s a sense of warmth that radiates from the ten-bedroom guest house. Located in Southport, it is run by Anthony

Duffey and his wife Larissa, and that air of homely familiarity has seen the Duffey's rack up a loyal clientele of regular visitors. The B&B was awarded Gold in the VisitEngland

Awards for Excellence 2025 this week, fending off competition from across the UK. VisitEngland Awards for Excellence highlight the very best of England’s outstanding tourism industry. Gold,

Silver, and Bronze winners are named across 17 categories ranging from ‘New Tourism Business of the Year’ and ‘Pub of the Year’ to ‘Business Events Venue of the Year’ and ‘Camping, Glamping

and Holiday Park of the Year’. Sunnyside Guest House also picked up Gold in the category of Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award. Owners Anthony and Larissa have worked

together to imprint their unique stamp on the building and have struck up a balance between Larissa’s creativity and Anthony’s business acumen. Speaking to the ECHO previously, Larissa said:

“I joke with the guest and say Anthony does everything important. I just talk and make tea.” Article continues below The couple met in high school while Larissa was on a student exchange

programme from her native Brazil. Anthony started Sunnyside 15 years ago, and the couple reunited when Anthony was on holiday in Rio de Janeiro; nine years on, they have never looked back.

Anthony, from Southport, previously told the ECHO: “The business is full throttle; we have a holiday in winter; come back and start tiling bathrooms, redecorating rooms, and knocking things

down. It is a labour of love. “I think we both love our job; that is the thing about it. We enjoy what we do, so it makes it easier. At times it can be stressful, and we have to push

through.” Anthony believes that it is the personal touches that set Sunnyside apart. Larissa bakes homemade cakes for guests upon their arrival and even makes her own jam. While Anthony puts

his personal touch into the B&B by refurbishing rooms and has started to make Sunnyside honey. Anthony told the ECHO: “We believe the personal touch and emphasis on quality are what

make us unique, and we try to apply that to every part of the business. I think it would be hard to leave and do something else.” Building up that staunchly reliable client base is one of

the keys to longevity in the B&B industry, Larissa said: “People come back to Southport for the memories their parents and grandparents used to bring them here. “They will bring their

kids now, so we build up a connection with them. I feel like all the customers that come through the door are like family. Once they come, they come back; it is as simple as that.” Sunnyside

wasn't the only Merseyside B&B or hotel recognised by the VisitEngland awards. The Titanic Hotel received the Bronze Award for Large Hotel of the Year. The prestigious VisitEngland

Awards for Excellence have been running for more than 30 years. This year’s winners were selected from hundreds of tourism businesses across England, including hotels, self-catering

accommodation, B&Bs, glamping operators, attractions, restaurants, pubs, and museums, forwarded to the national competition via local and regional competitions across England.

VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes said: “These annual Awards are an opportunity to applaud and showcase the businesses and individuals who provide outstanding customer service and

continuously improve their products and offer for visitors. “From a captivating science museum in Merseyside to a fully accessible hotel in Bournemouth, from cow cuddling on a farm in

Yorkshire to fine dining in Lancashire, this year’s winners show just how varied and diverse our industry is and what makes it great. Article continues below “Competition this year was

fierce, reflecting the excellence evident across each category, and I congratulate all the 2025 winners, and especially those who won Gold, an achievement cementing their place as the

standard bearers of our world-class tourism industry.”