The judges of Cumbria Tourism’s annual awards celebration have a difficult task ahead of them after almost 150 entries highlighting the county’s world-class accommodation, attractions, customer service and more!
This year’s awards are in association with United Utilities and showcase 16 categories covering every conceivable type of tourism business will celebrate the very best of Cumbria’s vibrant visitor economy, with many winners going on to represent the county nationally at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence. Exciting changes for 2019 include the launch of two brand new categories: a Makers & Producers Award and an Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award, highlighting both the importance of ensuring that businesses cater to those with additional needs and Cumbria’s strong reputation for top-quality produce enjoyed the world over.
The large number of entries have been whittled down to just 47 finalists, who will face another round of judging which will include a mystery shopping visit or announced visit from an industry expert. The winners will be unveiled at a fabulous black-tie celebration of tourism at Cartmel Racecourse on the 19th of June in front of an audience of 400.
Tickets for this year’s awards ceremony will go on sale shortly. The event will be hosted by talented comedian, writer and musician Mike Wilkinson, who has appeared alongside the likes of Dave Spikey, Johnny Vegas and Peter Kay, with a three course meal produced by Campbell and Rowleys from The Ilex Brasserie and drinks on the night supplied by, Booths, EWGA Wines and Heineken.
Managing Director of Cumbria Tourism, Gill Haigh, says, “There’s no denying that Cumbria is a world-class visitor destination and it’s utterly fantastic to see our county’s natural beauty and heritage matched by the amazing range and quality of our record-breaking number of entries – we’re overwhelmed by the incredibly high standards they all showcase! Whether our visitors come for a luxury break or an adventurous weekend, our fabulous foodie offerings or for life-changing experiences we have it all, and it’s only right that we recognise the hard work and dedication that so many people put into making our county the place to be. These awards celebrate every business supporting our thriving industry with the length and breadth of Cumbria represented by their very best ambassadors – our judges have an incredibly difficult task ahead of them and choosing the overall winners for 2019.”
The Cumbria Tourism Awards 2019 finalists are:
Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award – Sponsored by Expedia
- Lake District Calvert Trust, Bassenthwaite
- Treetop Trek, Windermere
Camping, Glamping & Holiday Park of the Year- Sponsored by Natwest Commercial Banking
- Park Cliffe, Windermere
- Waterfoot Park, Pooley Bridge, Ullswater
- Castlerigg Hall Caravan, Camping and Glamping Park, Keswick
Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism Award- Sponsorship opportunities available
- The Quiet Site, Ullswater
- Ullswater ‘Steamers’
- Cedar Manor Hotel, Windermere
B&B & Guest House of the Year- Sponsored by Lamont Pridmore
- Haven Cottage, Ambleside
- The Sally, Irthington
- Raise View, Grasmere
Experience of the Year Award- Sponsored by Carlisle Lake District Airport
- CBA Events @ Graythwaite
- Alpacaly Ever After CIC, Portinscale
- Cumbria Crystal, Ulverston
Large Hotel of the Year– Sponsored by Christie & Co.
- Lodore Falls Hotel and Spa, Borrowdale
- Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa, Bassenthwaite
- Another Place, The Lake, Ullswater
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year- Sponsored by H&H Reeds
- Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway
- Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery Trust, Carlisle
New Tourism Business of the Year- Sponsored by Thomson Hayton Winkley
- Dome House Lakes, Bowness-on-Windermere
- 1692 Wasdale, Gosforth
- The Black Bull, Sedbergh
Makers & Producers Award -Sponsorship opportunities available
- The Lakes Distillery, Setmurthy
- Grasmere Gingerbread®, Grasmere
- Pure Lakes Skincare Ltd, Staveley
Pub of the Year – Sponsorship opportunities available
- The Black Labrador, Underbarrow
- The Black Swan, Ravenstonedale
- The Crafty Baa, Windermere
Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year- Sponsored by Out of Eden
- Bon Vivant Boutique Smart Villa, Bowness on Windermere
- The Lodges at Artlegarth, Ravenstonedale
- The Lingholm Estate, Portinscale
Small Hotel of the Year- Sponsored by Colliers International
- Brownber Hall, Newbiggin-on-Lune
- The Regent Hotel, Ambleside
- The Halston, Carlisle
Taste of Cumbria- Sponsored by The Cumberland for Business
- 1863 Restaurant and Rooms, Pooley Bridge
- Askham Hall, Penrith
- Plato’s, Kirkby Lonsdale
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year– Sponsored by Northern
- Wordsworth House and Garden, Cockermouth
- Brantwood, John Ruskin’s Home, Coniston
- Birdoswald Roman Fort, Gilsland
Wedding Venue of the Year– Sponsorship opportunity available
- Cote How Lake District Weddings, Rydal
- Lodore Falls Hotel and Spa, Borrowdale
- Lindeth Howe Hotel, Bowness-on-Windermere
- Cragwood Country House Hotel, Windermere
The Sheila Hensman Award for Outstanding Customer Service
- Richard Monk-Steel (Waterfoot Park, Pooley Bridge)
- Marion Thompson (Bowness Bay Visitor Centre)
- Jake Winter (Lyzzick Hall Hotel, Underskiddaw)
Cumbria Tourism would like to thank all its generous sponsors for making the event possible. They include headline sponsor United Utilities, category sponsors Carlisle Lake District Airport, Christie & Co, Colliers International, The Cumberland for Business, Expedia, Lamont Pridmore, NatWest Commercial Banking, Northern, Out of Eden and Thomson Hayton Winkley, plus supporters Booths, Cartmel Racecourse, Colourmedia, Heineken and EWGA Wines.
To find out more about the Cumbria Tourism Awards, visit: www.cumbriatourism.org/awards
