Lancashire’s National Finalists
Celebrating the finest in the Tourism Industry:
VisitEngland Reveals Finalists for 2014 VisitEngland Awards for Excellence
Today, during English Tourism Week, VisitEngland announces the finalists for the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2014. The Awards celebrate the very best England has to offer and the winners of this prestigious accolade will be announced the Award Ceremony at Cheltenham Racecourse on Monday 12 May.
Both regional winners and direct entries for the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence are rigorously assessed by independent assessors and judged by a board of tourism industry experts. Carefully chosen by a judging panel, the finalists represent the finest in the industry and include a wealth of attractions, accommodation providers, tourism experiences, Tourist Information Centres and businesses that have shown complete dedication to developing the excellent standards of English tourism. Each finalist is guaranteed to receive either a Gold, Silver, Bronze or Highly Commended in their category.
VisitEngland’s Chief Executive James Berresford said:
“I would like to congratulate all those nominated as VisitEngland Awards for Excellence finalists this year. We receive hundreds of applications each year of an extremely high standard, so it is a tremendous achievement for any business to become a finalist. Each finalist is already a winner and can take justifiable pride and credit in earning a coveted place in the top five in their category in England, and in the contribution they make to an industry worth £106 billion to the economy, supporting 2.6 million jobs. I wish all our finalists the very best of luck for the awards ceremony in May”.
This year’s Award ceremony will also include the official presentation of the Tourism Superstar 2014 Award. As part of English Tourism Week, VisitEngland teamed up with the Daily Mirror for an online public vote to find England’s unsung tourism hero – someone who goes above and beyond the call of duty to make visitors feel extra special, and is a real ambassador for the local area. The 2014 winner is Buzby Allen, an on-resort entertainer from Potters Resort in Hopton-on-Sea, Norfolk.
To find out more and to book tickets visit www.visitenglandawards.org.
2014 Finalists
Below are the finalists in each category for this year's awards (listed alphabetically).
Access for All Tourism Award
Calvert Trust Exmoor
Barnstaple, Devon
www.calvert-trust.org.uk/exmoor
Countryside Mobility South West
Exeter, Devon
www.countrysidemobility.org
Curve
Leicester, Leicestershire
www.curveonline.co.uk
Eureka
Halifax, West Yorkshire
www.eureka.org.uk
Jurys Inn Brighton
Brighton, East Sussex
www.jurysinns.com/hotels/brighton
Sandcastle Waterpark
Blackpool, Lancashire
www.sandcastle-waterpark.co.uk
Business Tourism Award
Arundell Arms Hotel
Lifton, Devon
www.arundellarms.co.uk
Emirates Old Trafford
Old Trafford, Manchester
www.emiratesoldtrafford.co.uk
ExCeL London
London
www.excel-london.co.uk
Keele University Conferences & Events
Keele, Staffordshire
www.keele-conference.com
The Lowry
Salford, Manchester
www.thelowry.com/conference
Holiday Park / Holiday Village of the Year
Gwel an Mor Resort
Redruth, Cornwall
www.gwelanmor.com
Hoburne Bashley
New Milton, Hampshire
www.hoburne.com
Northumbrian Water Ltd – Leaplish Waterside Park
Horsley, Northumberland
www.visitkielder.com
Seafield Caravan Park
Seahouses, Northumberland
www.seafieldpark.co.uk
Waldegraves & Cosways Family Holiday Parks
Colchester, Essex
www.waldegraves.co.uk
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust
Coalbrookdale, Shropshire
www.ironbridge.org.uk
Tatton Park
Knutsford, Cheshire
www.tattonpark.org.uk
The Trentham Estate
Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
www.trentham.co.uk
Trebah Garden
Falmouth, Cornwall
www.trebah-garden.co.uk
Walby Farm Park
Carlisle, Cumbria
www.walbyfarmpark.co.uk
Large Hotel of the Year
Burleigh Court
Loughborough, Leicestershire
www.burleighcourt.co.uk
Ellenborough Park
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
www.ellenboroughpark.com
Hope Street Hotel
Liverpool, Merseyside
www.hopestreethotel.co.uk
Peckforton Castle Hotel
Tarporley, Cheshire
www.peckfortoncastle.co.uk
Rockliffe Hall
Darlington, County Durham
www.rockliffehall.com
Self Catering Holiday Provider of the Year
Corner Cottage, Nettlecombe Farm Holidays
Whitwell, Isle of Wight
East View Farm Holiday Cottages
Norwich, Norfolk
www.eastviewfarm.co.uk
Staying Cool at the Rotunda
Birmingham, West Midlands
www.stayingcool.com
The Dandelion Hideaway
Osbaston, Leicestershire
www.thedandelionhideaway.co.uk
Trevase Cottages
Hereford, Herefordshire
www.trevasecottages.co.uk
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
Chiltern Open Air Museum
St Giles, Buckinghamshire
www.coam.co.uk
Galleries of Justice
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
www.galleriesofjustice.org.uk
Museum of East Anglian Life
Stowmarket, Suffolk
www.eastanglianlife.org.uk
National Trust Coleridge Cottage
Bridgwater, Somerset
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/coleridgecottage
Shepherd Neame Visitor Centre
Faversham, Kent
www.shepherdneame.co.uk
Small Hotel of the Year
Brockencote Hall Hotel
Kidderminster, Worcestershire
www.brockencotehall.com
Hell Bay Hotel
Bryher, Isles of Scilly
www.hellbay.co.uk
Rothay Garden
Ambleside, Cumbria
www.rothaygarden.com
Swinton Park
Ripon, North Yorkshire
www.swintonpark.com
The Old Rectory Hotel
Martinhoe, Devon
www.oldrectoryhotel.co.uk
Sustainable Tourism Award
Bleasdale Cottages
Preston, Lancashire
www.bleasdalecottages.co.uk
Colton House
Rugeley, Staffordshire
www.coltonhouse.com
Killhope Museum
Cowshill, County Durham
www.killhope.org.uk
Little White Alice
Redruth, Cornwall
www.littlewhitealice.co.uk
Newlands Adventure Centre
Keswick, Cumbria
www.activity-centre.com
Taste of England Award
1884 Dock Street Kitchen
Kingston-upon-Hull, Yorkshire
www.1884dockstreetkitchen.co.uk
Delifonseca Dockside
Liverpool, Merseyside
www.delifonseca.co.uk
Eckington Manor
Eckington, Worcestershire
www.eckingtonmanor.co.uk
River Cottage Canteen & Deli Plymouth
Plymouth, Devon
www.rivercottage.net/canteens/plymouth/
The Parkers Arms
Clitheroe, Lancashire
www.parkersarms.co.uk
Tourism Experience of the Year
Calvert Trust Exmoor
Barnstaple, Devon
www.calvert-trust.org.uk/exmoor
Heritage Tours – Robin Hood Town Tours
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
www.ezekialbone.com
Lindisfarne Gospels Durham – lead partner Durham University
Durham
National Museums Liverpool
Liverool, Merseyside
www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk
VisitBlackpool
Blackpool, Lancashire
www.visitblackpool.com
Visitor Information Provider of the Year
City of London Information Centre
London
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/visiting-the-city/plan-your-visit/city-information-centre
English Riviera Tourism Company (ERTC)
Devon
www.englishriviera.co.uk
Gloucester Tourist Information Centre
Gloucester, Gloucestershire
www.thecityofgloucester.co.uk
NewcastleGateshead Visitor Information Centre
Gateshead, Tyne and Wear
www.newcastlegateshead.com
Visit Garstang Centre
Garstang, Lancashire
www.visitwyre.co.uk
Bed & Breakfast / Guest Accommodation of the Year
Browns
Holbeck, Yorkshire
www.brownsholbeck.co.uk
Eckington Manor
Eckington, Worcestershire
www.eckingtonmanor.co.uk
Kester House Bed & Breakfast
Sedlescombe, East Sussex
www.kesterhouse.co.uk
Low Mill Guest House
Leyburn, Yorkshire
www.lowmillguesthouse.co.uk
St Cuthbert’s House
North Sunderland, Northumberland
www.stcuthbertshouse.com
Tourism Pub of the Year
Pandora Inn
Falmouth, Cornwall
www.pandorainn.com
South Causey Inn
Stanley, County Durham
www.southcausey.co.uk
The Feathered Nest Country Inn
Nether Westcote, Oxfordshire
www.thefeatherednestinn.co.uk
The Horse and Jockey, Manton
Manton, East Midlands
www.horseandjockeyrutland.co.uk
Watermill Inn & Brewery
Kendal, Cumbria
www.lakelandpub.co.uk
Tourism Event of the Year
Beaulieu International Autojumble
Beaulieu, Hampshire
www.beaulieuevents.co.uk
Elemental Force Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire, East Midlands
www.elementalforceuk.com
Elemental Force Visit High Peak & Derbyshire
Derbyshire, East Midlands
www.elementalforceuk.com
Kendal Mountain Festival CIC
Kendal, Cumbria
www.mountainfest.co.uk
Trent Bridge
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
www.trentbridge.co.uk
For more information or to set up interviews contact:
Angelah Sparg, Corporate Communications Manager Tel: 02075781482, Email: [email protected] or Sarah Long, Head of Corporate Communications Tel: 020 7578 1452, Mob: 07500555651, Email: [email protected] Website: www.visitengland.org
About VisitEngland
• VisitEngland is the country’s national tourist board. We work in partnership with the industry to develop the visitor experience across England, plan national tourism strategy, grow the value of tourism in England and provide advocacy for the industry and our visitors. Our work is underpinned by robust research and customer insights. You can access the latest in-depth market intelligence and statistics on www.visitengland.org/insight-statistics.
• England is a unique destination and a real powerhouse in global tourism. It represents 84 per cent of the total UK visitor economy, is worth £106 billion, and supports 2.6 million jobs.
• For corporate information see www.visitengland.org and for consumer information see www.visitengland.com.
About the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2014
The VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2014 celebrate the best of English tourism. They promote healthy industry competition and high standards, helping to ensure England's place as a world-class destination. www.visitenglandawards.org.
The 18 categories for the 2014 awards include: Access for All Tourism Award, Bed & Breakfast / Guest Accommodation of the Year, Business Tourism Award, Holiday Park / Holiday Village of the Year, Large Hotel of the Year, Large Visitor Attraction of the Year, Self-Catering Holiday Provider of the Year, Small Hotel of the Year, Small Visitor Attraction of the Year, Sustainable Tourism Award, Taste of England Award, Tourism Event of the Year, Tourism Experience of the Year, Tourism Pub of the Year, Visitor Information Provider of the Year.
Included in the 18 categories are the additional Awards of Tourism Superstar, Travel Article of the Year and Outstanding Contribution to Tourism. The Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award will be announced on the night. Previous winners of this award have included The Great English Pub, Michael Eavis CBE, HM The Queen, the Harry Potter films, Sir Cameron Mackintosh, Sir Paul McCartney, Liverpool, The National Trust, the English Garden and last year the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Makers.