The owners of a Southport guest house that won a national award for being the best in Britain have been invited to a special reception at 10 Downing Street in London to celebrate the importance of England’s tourism industry.
Anthony and Larissa Duffey, who own the multi award-winning Sunnyside Guest House on Bath Street, were invited to the prestigious reception to mark English Tourism Week 2026.
For Anthony and Larissa, welcoming guests to Sunnyside Guest House has always been about far more than simply offering a place to stay.
For them, it’s about sharing the story of the town they love, the local producers who grow its food, the artists who capture its beauty, and the community that gives Southport its warm character.
As English Tourism Week 2026 celebrates the theme ‘Local Stories, National Growth,’ the double award-winning Sunnyside Guest House is proud to highlight the local connections that make every guest’s stay a truly authentic Southport experience.
Earlier this year, the small family-run guest house won B&B of the Year and Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism at the Visit England Awards for Excellence, making Sunnyside officially the best B&B in England.
But for Anthony and Larissa, the real reward is seeing guests discover and fall in love with the people, flavours and stories that make their town special.
Their passion for Southport has also placed them at the heart of the town’s future. Following their success, Anthony and Larissa were invited to become part of the destination’s marketing campaign, appearing in a striking photograph by renowned photographer Julia Fullerton-Batten. The image recreated the iconic 1930s painting Southport for a Holiday in Wintertime by Fortunino Matania and was used to launch the Southport 2026 cultural programme.
“For us it was incredibly special,” said Anthony Duffey. “Southport has such a rich history as a holiday destination, and to be part of something that celebrates its future as well was a real honour.”
That same sense of pride and place is something the couple share with every guest who walks through the door.
Each morning at Sunnyside begins with a breakfast built around the best of the region. Guests enjoy sausages, eggs, milk and yoghurt sourced from local farms, alongside award-winning jams made with fruit grown nearby by Flavourfresh and a variety of seasonal produce. The ingredients may be simple, but together they tell the story of the surrounding countryside and the people who work hard to produce it.
“Food is one of the best ways to experience somewhere,” said Larissa. “When guests sit down to breakfast, they’re tasting the work of local farmers and producers. It’s a small way we can support our community while giving guests something genuinely special.”
One of the most talked-about features of the guest house is its own beehive. The bees quietly work producing honey that finds its way onto the breakfast table. Guests are often fascinated to learn how the hive supports local biodiversity and sustainable food production.
“It’s amazing how something as simple as a beehive can spark conversations,” Larissa said. “Guests love hearing about it, and it helps them feel connected to what we’re doing here.”
Inside the guest house, the sense of place continues. The walls are decorated with artwork created by local artists inspired by Southport’s coastline, architecture and attractions. For visitors, it’s like a small gallery celebrating the town and often becomes the start of conversations about where to explore next.
Anthony said: “Tourism is about communities, local businesses and the stories that connect us all and the ecosystem of local businesses plays a massive part in our success over the last 12 months.
“Many arrive as visitors and leave feeling like they’ve experienced the real Southport.”
To mark the start of English Tourism Week, Anthony and Larissa were also invited to a special reception at 10 Downing Street celebrating the importance of England’s tourism industry.
“It was a proud moment for us,” Anthony said. “To be invited to Downing Street and represent small independent accommodation providers like Sunnyside was incredibly special. Tourism businesses like ours are built on passion, local partnerships and community, so to see that recognised nationally meant a great deal.”
Larissa said: “Standing outside Downing Street with people from across the tourism sector was something we never imagined when we opened our doors. It was a reminder of how important local businesses are to the wider visitor economy.”
And that’s exactly what Sunnyside Guest House hopes to celebrate during English Tourism Week: the idea that when tourism supports local people, producers and communities, everyone benefits.
“Every guest who walks through our door becomes part of our story,” Larissa said. “And we’re proud to share the story of Southport with them.”
- For more details about Sunnyside Guest House in Southport visit: Sunnyside Bed & Breakfast, Southport
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