Finalists of the Cumbria Tourism Awards have been revealed.
It is a landmark year as the awards coincide with Cumbria Tourism’s 50th anniversary.
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 Tuesday July 2 at the Castle Green Hotel, Kendal – held in association with Electricity North West.
The evening will be hosted by BBC Radio Cumbria Breakfast presenter Mike Zeller.
Eligible winners in many of the categories will also automatically feed into the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2025, for the chance to gain national recognition.
Finalists
Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award
- Kendal Calling
- Outdoor Mobility
- The Dock Museum, Barrow-in-Furness
B&B and Guest House of the Year
- George and Dragon Clifton
- Sunnyside Guest House, Keswick
Camping, Glamping & Holiday Park of the Year
- Castlerigg Hall Caravan Camping Glamping, Keswick
- Skelwith Fold, Ambleside
- Stanwix Park Holiday Centre, Silloth
- Wallace Lane Farm Holiday Park, Wigton
Experience of the Year
- Lake District Wildlife Park, Bassenthwaite
- Lakeland Segway, Cartmel
- Mountain Goat Tours
Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism Award
- Kendal Calling
- The Yan at Broadrayne, Grasmere
- The Quiet Site, Ullswater
Large Hotel of the Year
- Borrowdale Hotel, Borrowdale
- North Lakes Hotel and Spa – part of Daniel Thwaites, Penrith
- The Swan Hotel & Spa, Newby Bridge
Pub of the Year
- George and Dragon Clifton
- Queens Head Troutbeck
- Tweedies Bar & Lodge, Grasmere
Makers and Producers Award
- Great Corby Brewhouse, Carlisle
- Hawkshead Relish Company
- Lakes Ice Cream, Kendal
- Shed One, Ulverston
New Tourism Business Award
- Ease e ride, Arnside
- Fair Rigg by Cradel Haus, Bowness-on-Windermere
- Force Cafe & Terrace, Ambleside
- Laik, Windermere
Small Hotel of the Year
- Crooklands Hotel, Milnthorpe
- Queens Head Troutbeck
- The Royal Oak – Borrowdale
- The Yan at Broadrayne, Grasmere
Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year
- Dandelion & Hoglet Holiday Cottages, Dalston
- Hutton John Estate, Penrith
- Netherby Hall, Carlisle
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
- Levens Hall, Kendal
- Bassenthwaite Lake Station
- Hawkshead Grammar School Museum
Taste of Cumbria – Fine Dining Award
- SOURCE at Gilpin Hotel, Windermere
- Storrs Hall Hotel, Bowness-on-Windermere
- The Cedar Tree by Hrishikesh Desai, Brampton
- The Cottage In The Wood, Whinlatter
Taste of Cumbria – Casual Dining Award
- George and Dragon Clifton
- Levens Kitchen, near Kendal
- The Yan at Broadrayne, Grasmere
The Sheila Hensman Unsung Hero Award
- Michelle Foster, Holiday Inn Express Barrow-in-Furness
- Lilli Wessels, Lakeland Segway
- Hannah Clapp, Muncaster Castle
- Michelle Rowe, The Coppermines Lakes Cottages
- Holly Duffy, The Plough Inn Lupton
- Carol Lee, World of Beatrix Potter Attraction
Wedding Venue of the Year
- Cragwood Country House Hotel, Windermere
- Roundthorn Country House, Penrith
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.
Managing Director of Cumbria Tourism, Gill Haigh, said: “Our 2024 finalists are a fantastic mix of businesses from across the county who are demonstrating consistently high quality, service and care to our visitors. As 2024 is Cumbria Tourism’s milestone 50th anniversary year, it’s an extra-special time to celebrate individual businesses, but our wider world-class destination too.
“They have been whittled down to this hard-fought shortlist after being judged against VisitEngland’s strict scoring criteria and there’s no doubt the independent judging panel now have a very tough task on their hands to choose the ultimate winners!
“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.”
