Devon farm wins prestigious Downing Street Christmas tree accolade

A farm in Devon has won the accolade of champion Christmas tree grower overcoming competitors from across the UK.

Dartmoor Christmas Tree Farm won Christmas Tree Grower of the Year 2023 at the British Christmas Tree Growers Association's (BCTGA) competition - which has been held annually since 1999.

The Devon farm will now supply this year's Christmas tree for the Prime Minister at his Downing Street residence.

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Star of Channel 5's The Yorkshire Vet, Peter Wright, appeared as a special guest judge at the event - held at Billingley Christmas Tree Farm in Barnsley on Thursday (October 19) - to announce winners from Scotland, Wales, Leicestershire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, North Yorkshire, Essex and Northamptonshire celebrating Christmas trees and growers.

Friezeland Christmas Tree Farm - based in Warwickshire - won the Festive Wreath of the Year 2023 which will also be placed outside PM Rishi Sunak's Downing Street residence. 

Mr Wright selected a Nordmann Fir tree, grown by Dartmoor Christmas Trees, as his favourite Christmas tree in the celebrity choice award.

Rory Young, chairman of BCTGA, said he was delighted by the success of the event and the interest in growing Christmas trees. 

"Every year our competition gets bigger and bigger and we are delighted to have seen the growing support for this prestigious event," Mr Young added.

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"Today is a terrific opportunity for Christmas tree growers across Britain to come together to support each other, socialise and of course, vote for the best tree and wreath to go to Downing Street.

"Congratulations to all our winners - it really is testament to their hard work and winning the crown in their chosen category.

"Now we go into our busiest season of the year when we look forward to promoting real Christmas trees to consumers as well as the big switch on at Downing Street which really kick starts the festive season."

See also: Farm recreates The Nightmare Before Christmas film poster out of pumpkins

A full list of this year's winners and runners-up:

Christmas trees

Champion Christmas Tree Grower of the Year - (Supplier of the 2023 tree for Downing Street) Dartmoor Christmas Tree Farm in Devon

Runner Up Christmas Tree Grower of the Year - Gower Fresh Christmas Trees, Wales

Best Pine Winner - Farr North Christmas Trees, Highland.

Best Pine Runner Up - Dinmore Hill Christmas Trees, Herefordshire

Best Norway Spruce Winner - Dartmoor Christmas Trees, Devon

Best Norway Spruce Runner Up - Edenmill Christmas Trees, Stirlingshire

Best Spruce Other Winner - Gower Fresh Christmas Trees, Wales

Best Spruce Other Runner Up - Oakberry Trees, Leicestershire

Best Nordmann Fir Winner- Scottish Christmas Trees, Dumfriesshire

Best Nordmann Fir Runner Up - Cadeby Tree Trust, Warwickshire

Best Fir Other Winner - Cadeby Tree Trust, Warwickshire

Best Fir Other Runner Up - Dartmoor Christmas Trees, Devon

Best Container Grown Tree Winner - Endon Christmas Tree Farm, Staffordshire

Best Container Grown Tree Runner Up - Gower Fresh Christmas Trees, Wales

Celebrity Choice Tree Winner - Dartmoor Christmas Trees, Devon

Celebrity Choice Wreath Winner - Dartmoor Christmas Trees, Devon

Innovation Award Winner - York Christmas Trees, North Yorkshire for their ‘Doziroller'.

Innovation Award Highly Commended - West Hyde Christmas Trees, Essex for their Compact Mist Blower.

Wreaths

Champion Festive Wreath - Friezeland Christmas Tree Farm, Warwickshire

Best Natural Wreath Winner - Friezeland Christmas Tree Farm, Warwickshire

Best Natural Wreath Runner Up - Dartmoor Christmas Tree Farm in Devon

Best Decorated Wreath Winner - Friezeland Christmas Tree Farm, Warwickshire

Best Decorated Wreath Runner Up - Welford Christmas Tree Farm, Northamptonshire

Film

Best Short Film Winner- Hans Christmas Andersen, South East

Best Short Film Runner Up - Dane End Christmas Tree Farm, Hertfordshire