The ‘Oscars’ of Cumbria’s tourism industry made an eagerly-awaited comeback last night, Wednesday 6 July, with the very best of the county’s vibrant visitor economy coming together to celebrate a host of trailblazing winners.
Hosted by former BBC reporter Dave Guest and sponsored by United Utilities, the Cumbria Tourism Awards 2022 at Kendal’s Castle Green Hotel saw 16 main awards presented to a diverse range of high-achieving businesses from around the county.
Many of this year’s winners will now also go on to represent the county nationally at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2023.
The Cumbria Tourism Awards 2022 winners are:
Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award (Sponsored by The Cumberland)
Anyone Can, Newby Bridge
Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism Award (Sponsored by Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire)
Muncaster Castle, Gardens and Hawk & Owl Centre
Large Hotel of the Year (Sponsored by Christie & Co)
WINNER: Linthwaite House, Windermere
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa, Bassenthwaite Lake, Keswick
Small Hotel of the Year (Sponsored by Colliers)
WINNER: Askham Hall
HIGHLY COMMENDED: The Yan at Broadrayne, Grasmere
B&B and Guest House of the Year (Sponsored by Lamont Pridmore)
Cedar Manor, Windermere
Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year (Sponsored by Out of Eden)
Dufton Barn Holidays
Camping, Glamping & Holiday Park of the Year (Sponsored by David Allen)
The Quiet Site, Ullswater
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
Muncaster Castle, Gardens and Hawk & Owl Centre
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year (Sponsored by H&H Reeds)
Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery, Carlisle
Experience of the Year (Sponsored by Burnetts)
Shed 1 Gin, Ulverston
Pub of the Year (Sponsored by Taste Hospitality Recruitment)
The Black Swan, Ravenstonedale
Taste of Cumbria Award (Sponsored by Eden District Council)
The Cottage in the Wood, Braithwaite
Makers and Producers Award (Sponsored by ECO-I North West)
Pure Lakes Skincare, Staveley
Wedding Venue of the Year (Sponsored by Dodd & Co)
Askham Hall & Bank Barn
New Tourism Business Award (Sponsored by Thomson Hayton Winkley)
Bassenthwaite Lake Station
The Sheila Hensman Unsung Hero Award
Michael Wilson, The Guide over Sands Trust
To round off the night there was a special surprise presentation of the Bernard Gooch Award for ‘Cumbria’s Tourism Personality of the Year’. This is the highest award collectively given by the industry for an individual’s lifelong services to tourism.
This year’s recipient, Jim Walker, has been an enthusiastic champion of the county’s tourism industry in a career spanning more than 40 years. Most recently appointed as President of Cumbria Tourism, he has a breadth of senior management experience in a range of public and private sector roles, such as the Chief Executive of the Lake District Estates Group and Head of Cultural and Tourism Services at South Lakeland District Council. Jim is also currently Chairman of Eden Tourism Network.
Managing Director of Cumbria Tourism, Gill Haigh, says, “Wow! It has been a privilege to bring tourism businesses together for the first time in three years to celebrate the industry’s achievements – and pay tribute to their hard work and dedication in delivering world-class experiences to visitors day in, day out.
“The breadth and depth of our sector is immense and it’s fantastic to see businesses from all corners of the county among this year’s winners. They have displayed adaptability, innovation and sheer grit during one of the most challenging periods our sector has ever experienced. It is only fitting that the majority will now go on to represent Cumbria nationally at next year’s VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.
“We should be tremendously proud of not only our award-winners, but of all of the finalists. Tourism is a lynchpin of the Cumbrian economy and all our tourism operators play a vital role in making our county an incredible place for us all to live, work and visit.”
All the Cumbria Tourism Award winners were presented with an award handcrafted by Jo Vincent Glass and a boxed bottle of Prosecco courtesy of EWGA Wines.
Cumbria Tourism is grateful to its sponsors for making the much-awaited return of the competition possible this year, including headline sponsor United Utilities, along with all the category sponsors and other supporters including Booths, Castle Green Hotel, EWGA Wines, Jenny Woolgar Photography, Lawson Design and Mr and Mrs Smith.