Lancashire tourism trio in Visit England national finals
VisitEngland has today announced the finalists in the tourism industry’s national Awards for Excellence and they include a trio from Lancashire who each won in their category at the Lancashire Tourism Awards in November 2017.
The Cartford Inn, Little Eccleston – Tourism Pub of the Year Award
Browsholme Hall, Clitheroe – Sustainable Tourism Award
Ascent Trampoline Park, Blackpool – New Tourism Business Award
The national Awards for Excellence, now in their 29th year, recognise, congratulate and celebrate businesses and individuals who go above and beyond in promoting and practicing excellence across England. Finalists will be invited to attend a traditional afternoon tea at the Bath Assembly Rooms on St George’s Day, 23 April 2018. Winners will be awarded either a Bronze, Silver or Gold award at the ceremony.
VisitEngland Chief Executive Sally Balcombe said:
“These awards are a celebration of our thriving tourism industry. They highlight the people and the organisations that deliver amazing experiences for visitors, raising the profile of England as a world-class destination.
“The finalists have shown themselves to be of the highest calibre, using their talent and innovation to deliver excellence. The hundreds of applications this year reflect the quality products across our tourism landscape and I warmly congratulate all the finalists and wish them the very best of luck.”
This years’ competition was intense with up to three finalists selected in each category from hundreds of submissions. From accommodation businesses demonstrating unparalleled service to attractions providing unforgettable experiences, from outstanding food establishments to guided tour operators, applications reflected the sheer scale and range of England’s tourism industry. They included hotels, B&Bs, self-catering operators, restaurants, pubs, visitor attractions and business tourism venues.
Latest VisitEngland statistics show that from January to November 2017 Brits took more than 44 million holidays in England, spending in excess of £10 billion on staycations, up five and six per cent respectively compared to the same period in 2016.
Tourism in England contributes £106 billion to the British economy.
List of VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2018 finalists:
Bed & Breakfast of the Year:
Alkham Court Farmhouse, Kent
South Lodge Boutique B&B, Buckinghamshire
The 25 Boutique B&B, Devon
Boutique Guest Accommodation of the Year:
Cary Arms & Spa, Devon
Hever Castle, Kent
Yorebridge House, Yorkshire
Business Tourism Award:
Rookery Hall, Cheshire
Sage Gateshead, Tyne & Wear
Tewkesbury Park, Gloucestershire
Dog Friendly Business of the Year:
Bulleigh Barton Manor, Devon
Salad Days, Somerset
Wallops Wood Cottages, Hampshire
Guided Tour of the Year:
The Cotswolds Distillery, Warwickshire
World of Wedgwood, Staffordshire
York’s Chocolate Story, Yorkshire
Holiday Park / Holiday Village of the Year:
Gwel an Mor Resort, Cornwall
Polmanter Touring Park, Cornwall
Seafield Caravan Park, Northumberland
Hotel of the Year:
Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, Wiltshire
Rudding Park, Yorkshire
Seaham Hall, County Durham
Inbound Tourism Award:
Beiwei 55, London & Tyne & Wear
The Grand Hotel & Spa, Yorkshire
The Roman Baths & Pump Room, Bath & North East Somerset
Inclusive Tourism Award:
Cottage in the Dales, Yorkshire
Mylor Sailing School, Cornwall
The Roman Baths & Pump Room, Bath & North East Somerset
Innovation in Tourism Award:
British Airways i360, East Sussex
Go North East, Tyne & Wear
Lake District China Forum, Cumbria
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year:
Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
Moors Valley Country Park and Forest, Dorset
National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire
New Tourism Business Award:
Ascent Trampoline Park, Lancashire
CityStasher, London
Loose Reins, Dorset
Self Catering Holiday Provider of the Year:
Sheepyard Barn at The Suffolk Escape, Suffolk
The Milkshed, Devon
The Treehouses at Port Lympne Reserve, Kent
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year:
Hall Hill Farm, County Durham
Screech Owl Sanctuary, Cornwall
the Charterhouse, London
Sustainable Tourism Award:
Browsholme Hall, Lancashire
Colton House, Staffordshire
Laverock Law Cottages, Northumberland
Taste of England Award:
Askham Hall, Cumbria
Miller’s Fish and Chips, Yorkshire
Restaurant Hywel Jones by Lucknam Park, Wiltshire
Tourism Pub of the Year:
The Bruce Arms, Yorkshire
The Cartford Inn, Lancashire
The Riverside at Aymestrey, Herefordshire
Visitor Information Provider of the Year:
Liverpool Tourist Information Centre, Merseyside
Oxford Visitor Information Centre, Oxfordshire
York Visitor Information Centre, Yorkshire