Trailblazing businesses revealed in Cumbria Tourism Awards shortlist

The finalists of this year’s Cumbria Tourism Awards have been officially unveiled, as the ‘Oscars’ of the county’s tourism industry makes a long-awaited comeback after a three-year absence.

The awards span 16 categories covering every conceivable type of tourism business and celebrate the very best of Cumbria’s vibrant visitor economy. More than 100 entries were whittled down to the shortlist being revealed today, against a backdrop of one of the most challenging periods in the industry’s history.

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 at Kendal’s Castle Green Hotel later this summer.  

Held in association with United Utilities, the big event on Wednesday 6 July will be hosted by Dave Guest, who spent almost 40 years with the BBC and became one of the most recognisable faces on regional TV.

Dave documented some of the North West’s most memorable moments and won a number of prestigious broadcasting awards including the Royal Television Society’s award for Best Reporter on a Regional Programme.

The Cumbria Tourism Awards 2022 finalists are:

Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award

Sponsored by The Cumberland

• Anyone Can, Newby Bridge
• Calvert Lakes, Keswick

Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award

Sponsored by Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire

• Long Valley Yurts, Windermere
• Muncaster Castle, Gardens and Hawk & Owl Centre
• Shed 1 Gin, Ulverston

Large Hotel of the Year

Sponsored by Christie & Co

• Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa, Bassenthwaite Lake, Keswick
• Linthwaite House, Windermere
• Skiddaw Hotel, Keswick

Small Hotel of the Year

Sponsored by Colliers

• Askham Hall
• Farlam Hall Hotel & Restaurant, Brampton
• The Yan at Broadrayne, Grasmere

B&B and Guest House of the Year

Sponsored by Lamont Pridmore

• Cedar Manor, Windermere
• Lockholme Bed and Breakfast, Kirkby Stephen
• The Sally, Irthington

Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year

Sponsored by Out of Eden

• Dufton Barn Holidays
• Elmira & Maid of Kent - Ravenglass Railway Camping Coaches
• Lakes Hostel, Windermere
• Waterbird Boathouse at Hill of Oaks Park, Windermere

Camping, Glamping & Holiday Park of the Year

Sponsored by David Allen

• Pennine View Park, Kirkby Stephen
• Park Foot Holiday Park, Ullswater
• The Quiet Site, Ullswater

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year

• Muncaster Castle, Gardens and Hawk & Owl Centre
• Wordsworth Grasmere

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year

Sponsored by H&H Reeds

• Treetop Lake District, Brockhole, Windermere
• Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery, Carlisle
• Walby Farm Park, Crosby-on-Eden

Experience of the Year

Sponsored by Burnetts

• Graythwaite Adventure
• Honister Slate Mine
• Shed 1 Gin, Ulverston
• Mountain Goat Tours, Windermere

Pub of the Year

• The Black Swan, Ravenstonedale
• George and Dragon, Clifton
• Three Shires Inn, Little Langdale
• The Wheatsheaf, Beetham

Taste of Cumbria Award

Sponsored by Eden District Council

• Allium at Askham Hall
• The Cottage in the Wood, Braithwaite
• The Music Room at Augill Castle, Kirkby Stephen
• The Yan at Broadrayne, Grasmere

Makers and Producers Award

Sponsored by ECO-I North West

• Aqua Pura, Armathwaite
• Lakes Ice Cream, Kendal
• Pure Lakes Skincare, Staveley
• Shed 1 Gin, Ulverston

Wedding Venue of the Year

Sponsored by Dodd & Co

• Askham Hall & Bank Barn
• Briery Wood Country House Hotel, Windermere
• The Coppermines Lakes Cottages, Coniston

New Tourism Business Award

Sponsored by Thomson Hayton Winkley

• Bassenthwaite Lake Station
• Dandelion & Hoglet Holiday Cottages, Dalston
• The Green Cumbria, Kirkby Stephen
• Lakes Laser Tag, Ulverston

The Sheila Hensman Unsung Hero Award

• Michael Wilson, The Guide over Sands Trust
• Roland Thompson, Honister Slate Mine
• Joseph Cobb, Lake District Country Hotels, Windermere

To round off the night there will also be a special surprise presentation for the ‘Bernard Gooch Tourism Personality of the Year’. This is the highest award collectively given by the industry for an individual’s lifelong services to tourism.

Many of this year’s winners will also go on to represent the county nationally at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2023.

Managing Director of Cumbria Tourism, Gill Haigh, says, “The Cumbria Tourism Awards is all about celebrating our industry and the hardworking businesses who have continued to forge ahead in some of the most challenging circumstances anyone could have ever imagined.

“I’ve been bowled over by the innovation, adaptability and sheer resilience of our incredibly diverse tourism sector spanning the length and breadth of Cumbria. These businesses put high quality customer experiences at the heart of everything they do and it will be a privilege to bring the finalists together this July to mark their achievements. There’s no doubt the judges now have a very tough task on their hands to choose the ultimate winners.”

Event host Dave Guest adds, “I’m delighted to have been invited to host the awards event in July as the county celebrates the very best its tourism sector has to offer. The sector has lived through some extremely difficult times because of the pandemic - but it’s not only survived, it’s come back even stronger.”

Cumbria Tourism is grateful to its sponsors for making the much-awaited return of the competition possible this year, including headline sponsor United Utilities, EWGA Wines and Lawson Design.