Cumbria Tourism Awards 2023
Announcing our 2023 Cumbria Tourism Awards Finalists.
The 2023 entries have been whittled down to this hard-fought shortlist of award finalists after being judged against VisitEngland’s strict scoring criteria.
There are up to four successful finalist businesses in each category who have demonstrated that they are offering fantastic quality, service and care to our visitors.
Congratulations to our 2023 finalists:
Sponsored by Lake District National Park
Recognises tourism businesses that excel in providing an inclusive customer experience, particularly for those with accessibility requirements.
- Bassenthwaite Lake Station
- Treetop Trek, Brockhole
- Irton House, Cockermouth
Recognises an individual working for a tourism business who excels in their role and deserves to be applauded for their work and commitment to the industry. The nominee is unlikely to be a business owner or senior manager and could work in any area of the business. They can be new to the industry or have worked in tourism for some time.
- Ben McGregor, Lake District Estates
- Jessica Sneddon, Wordsworth Grasmere
- Raymond Stanford, Lakeside Hotel & Spa
Sponsored by The Burnetts
Recognises holiday parks, sites and villages that provide exceptional guest experiences across static vans, touring pitches, shepherd’s huts and more.
- Hillcroft, Pooley Bridge
- Park Foot Holiday Park, Pooley Bridge
- Rydal Hall Campsite
Sponsored by Westmorland and Furness Council
Recognises tourism businesses who are truly committed to being sustainable, responsible and ethical in how they operate and interact with customers, the wider community and the environment.
- The Yan at Broadrayne, Grasmere
- Park Cliffe, Windermere
- Shed One, Ulverston
- The Green Cumbria, Ravenstonedale
Recognises providers of memorable and immersive activities for visitors to participate in, from cooking masterclasses to woodland nature tours.
- The Infinity Bridge at Honister
- Mountain Goat Tours
Sponsored by Christie & Co
Recognises large full-service hotels that provide exemplary service, a top-quality food offering and a stay that guests will remember for years to come. Large Hotel is usually for those with at least 35 rooms and offer a reception/check-in area, restaurant, bar, dinner and breakfast.
- Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa, Bassenthwaite Lake, Keswick
- Storrs Hall Hotel, Windermere
- North Lakes Hotel and Spa, Penrith
- The Ro Hotel, Bowness-on-Windermere
Sponsored by H&H Reeds
Recognises large visitor attractions that provide truly memorable visitor experiences and demonstrate excellence across every aspect of the business. Large Visitor Attraction is for those attracting 75,000 visitors or more per year or employing more than 10 full-time equivalent members of staff.
- Forestry England – Whinlatter Forest
- Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway
- Walby Farm Park, Crosby-on-Eden
Sponsored by Thomson Hayton Winkley
Recognises high performing new tourism businesses, demonstrating excellent understanding of their market, exceeding the expectations of their customers with clear plans for future development. New tourism businesses will have been trading for at least three months and up to two years.
- Laik, Windermere
- Lanty Slee’s Saloon Bar, Elterwater
- Golf Lake District
Sponsored by Aqua Pura
For makers and producers whose high-quality, locally made products create a unique and memorable experience that enhances Cumbria’s visitor offer.
- Cable & Blake Limited – Fabrics of the Lakes, Kendal
- Lakeland Artisan, Kendal
- Penningtons Tea and Coffee, Kendal
- Cumbria Crystal, Ulverston
Sponsored by Napthens
Recognises pubs that make a significant contribution to tourism in their area, with a food and drink offering that includes quality locally sourced produce.
- The Dalesman Country Inn, Sedbergh
- Lake View Garden Bar, Bowness-on-Windermere
- Kirkstile Inn, Loweswater
Sponsored by The Cumberland
Recognises self-catering accommodation businesses that provide the highest quality holidays and help to create fabulous memories for all their guests, from romantic hideaways to family-friendly breaks.
- Cragg Cottage, Torver
- Waterbird Boathouse at Hill of Oaks, Windermere
- Mill Pool Barn, Torver
- Loughrigg Cottage, Ambleside
Sponsored by Colliers
Recognises small to medium serviced accommodation businesses that offer a fantastic welcome, memorable guest experiences and the highest standards in everything they do. Small Hotel is usually for those with a maximum of 35 rooms.
- The Borrowdale Royal Oak
- Rothay Manor, Ambleside
- Crooklands, Milnthorpe
- Queens Head, Troutbeck
Sponsored by Dodd & Co
Recognises small visitor attractions that leave visitors with lasting memories and excel in customer service. Small Visitor Attraction is for those attracting 75,000 or fewer visitors per year or employing less than 10 full-time equivalent members of staff.
- Wordsworth Grasmere
- Bassenthwaite Lake Station
- The Dock Museum, Barrow-in-Furness
Sponsored by Lamont Pridmore
Recognises businesses within the tourism industry that offer outstanding cuisine, innovative service and excellence throughout their entire operation, including restaurants, hotel restaurants, cafes, tea rooms, coffee shops and bistros.
• Allium at Askham Hall
• The Yan at Broadrayne, Grasmere
• Briery Wood Country House Hotel, Windermere
For all venues which host weddings whether large or small. The winner will deliver distinctive and/ or innovative weddings which create a unique and memorable experience. Weddings will be of exceptional quality, provide an outstanding service and display attention to detail and high standards of organisation and communication.
- Storrs Hall Hotel, Bowness-on-Windermere
- Merewood Country House Hotel, Windermere
- Lindeth Howe Hotel, Bowness-on-Windermere
- Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa, Windermere
The finalists now face another round of judging, with a visit from one of our mystery shoppers or judges before the winner of each category is decided. Find out more about the judging process.
All the successful finalists will be invited to join us at the tourism ‘Oscars’ – our glittering, black-tie celebration in July. More details about the awards evening will be announced soon.
We would like to thank our sponsors for making the competition possible again this year.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available for any other companies who would like to get involved.
Get In Touch
Would you like to sponsor the 2023 Awards? Contact the Cumbria Tourism Awards team on: 01539 822222 / awards@cumbriatourism.org