Railway steams in with BBC Countryfile heritage prize

Readers of the BBC Countryfile magazine have voted it the UK's best heritage site in its annual awards.

The 16-mile SVR line between Bridgnorth and Kidderminster, which is largely run by volunteers and attracts more than 200,000 visitors a year, finished ahead of the Imperial War Museum at Duxford and Portmeirion in North Wales.

Another West Midlands tourist attraction was also among the winners in the Countryfile awards. Trentham Gardens, near Stone in Staffordshire, was voted garden of the year .

Thousands of people voted for the railway and the gardens in the annual awards which celebrate the best of the British countryside, with the heritage site category shortlist compiled by television presenter Jules Hudson, widely recognised as the face of many BBC lifestyle and history series including Escape to the Country, Britain's Empty Homes, Britain's Heritage Heroes and, most latterly, Countryfile.

A life-long history lover, he praised the SVR's Heritage Skills Training Academy, one of a range of projects funded by the Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust, saying the Railway has a "fantastic conservation element to it, running an apprenticeship scheme for young engineers in order to keep the traditional skills alive" and adding: "Travelling by steam train is also a wonderful way to see the spectacular surrounding countryside."

Clare Gibbard the SVR's marketing and communications manager, said: "This is absolutely fantastic news – we are all over the moon.

"Everyone at the railway, from our staff and volunteers, to our apprentices and dedicated fundraisers in the SVR Charitable Trust are committed to not only protecting the future of this valuable heritage site, but also to making it an enjoyable and memorable place for people to visit, so for so many of the British public to vote for us, in the face of some very tough competition is a wonderful recognition of this hard work and we are extremely grateful to everyone who took the time to vote for us. We are currently requesting donations to fund the 2015 in take of apprentices. If you would like to support us, visit www.svrtrust.org.uk and click the donate now button."

She added: "News of this award is very timely, this being our Golden Jubilee year, so this will really add the cherry on top of our celebratory anniversary cake – I think there may well be some added tooting of whistles as the trains head out on the tracks this weekend."

The SVR has a busy programme of events for its 50th anniversary and is currently preparing for its official season opener, the Spring Steam Gala from March 2 to 22, which will include the launch of its 50th anniversary exhibition at The Engine House Visitor Centre at Highley.

New events like Sounds of the 60s in August, and a special Golden Ticket visitor competition are also among the railway's packed 2015 visitor schedule.

The SVR has more than 1,500 volunteers and takes in six beautifully-maintained stations along the route

Trentham Gardens beat The Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh, Alnwick Garden in Northumberland, Kew Gardens in Surrey and The Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall to win the top garden award.

It re-opened to the public 10 years ago following an award-winning restoration project by owners St Modwen.

There were 12 categories including rural pub of the year won by The Steam Packet Inn, Isle of Whithorn, Dumfries and Galloway.

The holiday destination of the year was The Lake District.

Beach of the year was Whitesands Bay, Pembrokeshire.