Cumbria’s tourism champions took centre stage last night, Wednesday 8 July, as businesses and individuals from across the county came together for the prestigious Cumbria Tourism Awards 2026.
Held at Castle Green Hotel in Kendal, the black-tie celebration brought together finalists, sponsors and industry guests for one of the biggest nights in Cumbria’s visitor economy calendar, shining a spotlight on the people and businesses setting the standard for quality, creativity and service.
The annual awards, held in association with SP Electricity North West, recognise excellence across the county’s tourism and hospitality industry, from accommodation, attractions and food and drink to accessibility, sustainability, new business and the individuals who help make Cumbria such a special place to visit. A total of 18 awards were presented on the night, celebrating businesses and individuals who have shown outstanding quality, creativity, resilience and service.
The 2026 Cumbria Tourism Awards winners are:
- Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award: Theatre by the Lake, Keswick
- B&B and Guest House of the Year: Grange Manor Luxury B&B, Grange over Sands
- Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year: Holgates Holiday Parks, Silverdale Site
- Experience of the Year: Mountain Passes and Muncaster Castle Tour, Mountain Goat
- Large Hotel of the Year: Gilpin Hotel and Lake House, Windermere
- Large Visitor Attraction of the Year: Windermere Jetty
- New Tourism Business Award: The Edge Whitehaven
Cartmel Old Grammar Hotel and Wedding Venue was also Highly Commended - Pub of the Year: The Wheatsheaf in Beetham
- Regenerative Tourism Award: Netherby Hall, Carlisle
- Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year: Dandelion and Hoglet Holiday Cottages, Dalston
- The Sheila Hensman Unsung Hero Award: Adrian Jones, Forestry England Whinlatter
- Small Hotel of the Year: Borrowdale Gates Hotel, Keswick
- Small Visitor Attraction of the Year: The Beacon Museum, Whitehaven
Lakeland Motor Museum was also Highly Commended - Taste of Cumbria, Casual Dining Award: BAHA, Bowness on Windermere
- Taste of Cumbria, Fine Dining Award: Pentonbridge Inn, Carlisle
- Makers and Producers Award: Cranstons Cumbrian Food Hall, Penrith
- Wedding Venue of the Year: Town Head Estate, Newby Bridge
To round off the evening the Bernard Gooch Award, for Cumbria’s Tourism Personality of the Year, was presented to Sarah Dunning, Chair of the Westmorland.
The award is one of the highest honours given by Cumbria’s tourism sector and recognises an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the county’s visitor economy.
Sarah was recognised for her leadership of the family-owned Westmorland Group. Through its focus on local produce, rural enterprise, sustainability and community, the business has helped showcase Cumbria’s food culture and hospitality to a national audience.
Gill Haigh, Managing Director of Cumbria Tourism, said: “The Cumbria Tourism Awards are always a proud moment for the county, and this year was no exception.
“Every finalist and winner represents the quality, passion and commitment that make Cumbria’s visitor economy so strong. But tourism is about much more than holidays. It supports livelihoods, sustains local services, protects our cultural heritage and helps keep communities thriving from the coast to the countryside.
“This year’s winners show the real breadth of Cumbria’s tourism offer, from outstanding places to stay and eat, to attractions, experiences, producers, wedding venues and unsung heroes. They also show how tourism can be a force for good, supporting jobs, creating opportunities, championing local produce and helping visitors connect with the people and places that make Cumbria so special.
“I would also like to congratulate Sarah Dunning, whose work with the Westmorland Group has made a significant contribution to Cumbria’s food culture, rural economy and visitor offer.”
Many of the winners will now have the chance to represent Cumbria at the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence in 2027.
Gill added: “We have seen in recent years how well Cumbria businesses can perform on the national stage, and I have no doubt this year’s winners will continue that tradition. We wish them every success as they move forward.”
The 2026 Cumbria Tourism Awards were supported by headline sponsor SP Electricity North West, along with category sponsors Burnetts, Christie and Co, Colliers, Cumberland Council, Dodd and Co, Grasmere Gingerbread, H&H Insurance Brokers, Harrison Drury, Lake District National Park, Lamont Pridmore, Napthens, Northern, Reeds, Thomson Hayton Winkley, United Utilities and Westmorland and Furness Council.
Further support was provided by Carlsberg Britvic, Lawson Design, Mr and Mrs Jones and Castle Green Hotel.
For the full list of winners and more information about the awards, visit:
www.cumbriatourism.org/awards