Cumbria takes four of England's top tourism awards
Cumbria Tourism Managing Director Ian Stephens has praised the area's tourism industry as the Best in England after county businesses took three golds and a silver in the country's foremost tourism awards.
At the national Enjoy England Awards for Excellence on Friday, Cumbria scooped three of the major titles - Best B&B, Tourism Experience, and Caravan Holiday Park - from some of the best business in the country. There was also a silver for the county in the Taste of England category which recognises good food - an important tourism driver.
Commenting on the success, Mr Stephens said: "These awards prove beyond any doubt that Cumbria is home to the best tourism businesses in the country. We are the standard bearers. No other area of England took home as many awards as Cumbria and these categories were among the most coveted awards to win."
"It is particularly pleasing to see tourism businesses on the periphery of the Lake District National Park triumphing at a national level. There were award wins here for places Arnside, Whicham Valley and Kirkby Lonsdale, which proves that standards across businesses on the periphery of the Lakes are as high as anywhere else in the country. We extend our congratulations to them all and thank them for the sterling job they are doing flying the flag for Cumbria on the national stage."
The awards are organised by national tourism authority VisitEngland and sponsored by The Caravan Club. The businesses qualified for the national awards after winning last year's Cumbria Tourism awards and then repeating that success at the Northwest awards organised by the Northwest Regional Development Agency.
Here's how the Enjoy England judges saw them...
Best Bed & Breakfast / Guest Accommodation of the Year
Number 43, Arnside
The accent is on style and luxury at No 43, a boutique B&B with chic rooms which boast Bose music systems, mini bars including a jug of cold milk, and home-made biscuits on the tea tray. Opened in 2006, occupancy rates have steadily increased, leading to the creation of an additional bedroom in 2009 and an increase in staff of seven, all part-time. This increase in guest to staff ratio is reflected in the high level of service, which encompasses everything from luggage assistance to the two-course suppers available in the evening. www.no43.org.uk
Contact Lesley Hornsby, 01524 762761
lesley@no43.org
Best Tourism Experience
Cumbrian Heavy Horses, Whicham Valley nr Millom
The only equestrian centre dedicated to heavy horses, such as Clydesdale, Shire and other ‘draught' horses, Cumbrian Heavy Horses wins as much for its dedication to an idea and a cause as for the excellent experience the centre provides. Heavy horses are often characterised as only fit for farm work, but owners Annie Rose and Tim Ancrum opened the centre to provide an excellent riding experience.
www.cumbrianheavyhorses.com
Contact Annie Rose, 01229 777764
annie@cumbrianheavyhorses.com
Best Caravan Holiday Park
Woodclose Park, Kirkby Lonsdale
The nine acres of glorious Cumbrian countryside at Woodclose Park have seen many changes since the park first opened 35 years ago, and there is now space for all types of holidaymaker, with caravan and camping pitches, wigwams and luxurious lodges all on site. What hasn't been lost, however, is an understanding of what makes Woodclose so special; the tranquil atmosphere and feeling of being miles from anywhere. www.woodclosepark.com
Contact Steven McAvoy on 015242 71591
Taste of England Award - Silver
The Cottage in the Wood, Whinlatter, Keswick
The Cottage in the Wood Country Hotel and restaurant is a former 17th Century coaching inn situated in the heart of the Whinlatter forest near Keswick. At ‘The Cottage in the Wood' the philosophy towards their food is to use the best possible produce they can and to combine seasonal ingredients to create simple and appealing meals. The starting point is their suppliers who are knowledgeable and have long established links with farmers and growers. They are their eyes and ears and regularly come up with something special for them to use in the kitchen. www.thecottageinthewood.co.uk
Contact Liam and Kath Berney on 017687 78409 or relax@thecottageinthewood.co.uk
PR: Andrea Marston on 07816 053953 email: andrea.marston@virgin.net
Ends
1: For more information on this press release, please contact Ellis Butcher in the Cumbria Tourism Press Office on 015398 25060 or pressoffice@cumbriatourism.org
2: Cumbria Tourism is the lead organisation for tourism in the county and is at the heart of the Cumbria Visitor Economy. It is also the largest membership organisation in Cumbria with more than 3,000 members. Over 40 million annual visitors to Cumbria contribute more than £2 billion to the local economy and support around 56,500 jobs. To find out more about the work of Cumbria Tourism, visit www.cumbriatourism.org
3: To book accommodation in Cumbria - the Lake District, visit www.golakes.co.uk
