The finalists of this year’s Cumbria Tourism Awards have been officially revealed, highlighting the diverse and innovative businesses which exemplify the very best of the county’s vibrant visitor economy.
With 15 categories spanning every conceivable type of tourism business, the innovators featured in today’s shortlist continue to excel against a challenging backdrop of rising costs and ongoing recruitment issues for the industry regionally and nationally.
The finalists now face another round of judging, including a series of mystery shopping visits, before the ultimate winners are selected ahead of a VIP awards ceremony on Wednesday 5 July – held in association with United Utilities.
The Cumbria Tourism Awards 2023 finalists are:
Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award
Sponsored by Lake District National Park
- Bassenthwaite Lake Station
- Treetop Trek, Brockhole
- Irton House, Cockermouth
Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism Award
Sponsored by Westmorland and Furness Council
- The Yan at Broadrayne, Grasmere
- Park Cliffe, Windermere
- Shed One, Ulverston
- The Green Cumbria, Ravenstonedale
Large Hotel of the Year
Sponsored by Christie & Co
- Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa, Bassenthwaite Lake, Keswick
- Storrs Hall Hotel, Windermere
- North Lakes Hotel and Spa, Penrith
- The Ro Hotel, Bowness-on-Windermere
Small Hotel of the Year
Sponsored by Colliers
- The Borrowdale Royal Oak
- Rothay Manor, Ambleside
- Crooklands, Milnthorpe
- Queens Head, Troutbeck
Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year
Sponsored by The Cumberland
- Cragg Cottage, Torver
- Waterbird Boathouse at Hill of Oaks, Windermere
- Mill Pool Barn, Torver
- Loughrigg Cottage, Ambleside
Camping, Glamping & Holiday Park of the Year
Sponsored by Burnetts
- Hillcroft, Pooley Bridge
- Park Foot Holiday Park, Pooley Bridge
- Rydal Hall Campsite
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
Sponsored by Dodd & Co
- Wordsworth Grasmere
- Bassenthwaite Lake Station
- The Dock Museum, Barrow-in-Furness
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
Sponsored by H&H Reeds
- Forestry England – Whinlatter Forest
- Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway
- Walby Farm Park, Crosby-on-Eden
Experience of the Year
- The Infinity Bridge at Honister
- Mountain Goat Tours
Pub of the Year
Sponsored by Napthens
- The Dalesman Country Inn, Sedbergh
- Lake View Garden Bar, Bowness-on-Windermere
- Kirkstile Inn, Loweswater
Taste of Cumbria Award
Sponsored by Lamont Pridmore
- Allium at Askham Hall
- The Yan at Broadrayne, Grasmere
- Briery Wood Country House Hotel, Windermere
Makers and Producers Award
Sponsored by Aqua Pura
- Cable & Blake Limited – Fabrics of the Lakes, Kendal
- Lakeland Artisan, Kendal
- Penningtons Tea and Coffee, Kendal
- Cumbria Crystal, Ulverston
Wedding Venue of the Year
- Storrs Hall Hotel, Bowness-on-Windermere
- Merewood Country House Hotel, Windermere
- Lindeth Howe Hotel, Bowness-on-Windermere
- Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa, Windermere
New Tourism Business Award
Sponsored by Thomson Hayton Winkley
- Laik, Windermere
- Lanty Slee’s Saloon Bar, Elterwater
- Golf Lake District
The Sheila Hensman Unsung Hero Award
- Ben McGregor, Lake District Estates
- Jessica Sneddon, Wordsworth Grasmere
- Raymond Stanford, Lakeside Hotel & Spa
To round off the night there will also be a special surprise presentation for the ‘Bernard Gooch Tourism Personality of the Year’ – the highest annual accolade collectively awarded by Cumbria’s tourism industry for lifelong service and dedication.
Many of this year’s winners will go on to represent the county nationally at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2024.
Managing Director of Cumbria Tourism, Gill Haigh, says, “Yet again, what a fantastic bunch of finalists we have! The 2023 entries have been whittled down to this hard-fought shortlist after being judged against VisitEngland’s strict scoring criteria. They are a fantastic mix of businesses from across the county who are demonstrating consistently high quality, service and care to our visitors.
“It will be a privilege to bring all the finalists together this July to mark their achievements and there’s no doubt the independent judging panel now have a very tough task on their hands to choose the ultimate winners.”
The Cumbria Tourism Awards 2023 are organised on behalf of Cumbria Tourism and are only possible thanks to ticket sales and the generosity of the sponsors, including headline sponsor United Utilities, Booths, Heineken, EWGA Wines and Lawson Design.
For more information, visit: www.cumbriatourism.org/awards