Cornwall’s Story of Emily Wins International Thea Award

A small Cornish village rectory has just been named among the finest themed experiences on the planet, putting it in the same league as the likes of Disney and Universal.

The Story of Emily, the immersive museum based in St Ive, has scooped an Outstanding Achievement award at the 32nd Annual Thea Awards in Orlando, Florida. The accolade, handed out by the Themed Entertainment Association on Saturday 2nd May 2026, makes the Cornwall attraction the only organisation or business in the UK to receive recognition at this year’s global ceremony.

A second award already on the way

The Thea win lands just as The Story of Emily prepares for another night out. The visitor attraction has been named a finalist as New Tourism Business of the Year in the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2026, with the ceremony taking place at Aerospace Bristol on 3rd June 2026, held under the wings of Concorde Alpha Foxtrot.

Why the Thea Awards matter

The Thea Awards are widely considered the most prestigious honour in the themed entertainment industry, celebrating bold innovation and the world’s top immersive experiences.

Matt Barton, International Board President at TEA and Chairperson of 7thSense, said: “what makes a Thea Award so meaningful is that it recognises projects of all scales, in all parts of the world, where a small regional museum can stand shoulder to shoulder with the largest, most famous attractions. It’s not about size, budget, or commercial success, it’s about excellence and quality of experience.”

He added that the awards are judged by people who “care deeply about our craft and apply a rigorous, thoughtful process to recognise the very best.”

The woman behind the museum

The Story of Emily brings to life the work of Emily Hobhouse, a British woman born in the village of St Ive who campaigned to save the lives of women and children during the second Anglo-Boer war between 1899 and 1902. Her actions saw her branded a traitor, and her name was largely erased from British history books.

The attraction occupies her childhood Rectory home and includes a RIBA award-winning War Rooms experience, alongside an authentic heritage South African restaurant. The experience blends architecture, objects, film, flavour and human connection to move visitors beyond simply observing the past.

Centenary year ahead

Claire Corbett, Head of Marketing at The Story of Emily, said the team was “immensely proud to receive the Thea Award, and to see our creativity, innovation and vision to push boundaries within this cultural space celebrated on an international stage.”

Claire added that 2026 is a significant year for the museum. Alongside the international recognition, the attraction will mark the centenary of Emily’s life and death with a landmark event on 13th June, which she described as “a moment that will reframe Emily Hobhouse’s place in UK history.”

📷Claire Corbett, Head of Marketing, The Story of Emily, receiving the Outstanding Achievement Award at the 32nd Annual Thea Awards, Orlando, Florida on Saturday, 2nd May 2026