Cumbria Tourism Award Winners 2011
The winners of the 2011 Cumbria Tourism Awards were revealed at a glitzy ceremony at The Castle Green Hotel, Kendal on Thursday 7th July 2011.
Hundreds of tourism professionals and businesses from around the county gathered at the Castle Green where the evening began with a drinks reception followed by a celebratory dinner. Host for the evening was ITV's ‘Loose Woman' Rachel Agnew who announced the winners and entertained the audience.
Fourteen coveted prizes and two commendations were awarded, recognising the exceptional standards of quality and excellence on offer at tourism businesses across the length and breadth of the county.
For further information on the awards, please contact Cumbria Tourism on 01539 822222 or email info@cumbriatourism.org
Taste of Cumbria Award
Sponsored by SK Events
Winner - George and Dragon, Clifton
Excellent promotion and use of local produce offering good value for money. A really enjoyable dining experience with great food served by friendly and knowledgeable staff in a lovely atmosphere - a real taste experience.
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
Sponsored by K Village, Kendal
Winner - Muncaster Castle, Ravenglass
An excellent family attraction, with plenty to keep the whole family entertained all day. Muncaster is a thoroughly enjoyable day out, representing excellent value for money; steeped in history Muncaster has fascinating tales to tell alongside many activities such as visiting the owl sanctuary, touring the castle with a commentary from the family, vole maze, adventure playground and stunning gardens. An attraction that is evolving all the time whilst retaining its heritage and charm.
Sustainable Tourism Award
Sponsored by Lake District National Park
Winner - Ullswater Steamers, UIlswater
The judges were impressed by the rounded approach with a wide array of initiatives across the board - water, waste, transport, energy, access, community and wildlife. Ullswater Steamers has undertaken substantial work to improve fuel efficiency of vessels recognising this as their largest source of emissions. They haven't just relied on technological responses such as inverters but have also adjusted their timetables to help with fuel efficiency. The Glenridding Pier house refurbishment has been carried out to a high environmental standard including argon filled double glazing, LED lighting and waterless urinals. Ullswater Steamers has a long history of fundraising and working with partners on local sustainability projects ensuring the community and visitors are involved along the way.
Small Hotel of the Year
Sponsored by Colliers International
Winner - Lindeth Fell Country House Hotel, Bowness-on-Windermere
Exquisite food, great hospitality and genuinely welcoming and intimate feel makes staying here feel exceptionally good value for money. It is obvious from the level of repeat business that Lindeth Fell offers an excellent experience making all guests feel very welcome in their "home".
Highly Commended - Waterhead Hotel, Ambleside
The judges felt that the Waterhead Hotel offered an excellent contemporary product of a high standard that would attract visitors seeking a modern break in the Lakes. The grandeur of the rooms along with the evening meal experience makes the stay at the Waterhead very special.
Self-catering Holiday of the Year
Sponsored by G1 Creative
Winner - Monkhouse Hill Cottages, Caldbeck
A real wow as the entrance gate automatically opens on arrival revealing stunning landscaping and views across the fells! Each cottage offers an excellent standard of accommodation featuring local contemporary customised furniture and local artists. With a range of large family cottages, private hot tubs and indoor saunas each of the cottages have something to offer everyone. A very well run business with guests needs at the forefront.
Highly Commended - Pudding Cottage, Ambleside
This cottage is very well maintained, the use of colour and personal artefacts around the cottage make it a home from home experience. The judges wanted to recognise the excellent standard of hospitality offered by Jacky at Pudding Cottage despite the fact that she does not live on site - this was truly evident on the site visit and backed up by guest reviews and comments.
Tourism Event of the Year
Sponsored by Tesco
Winner - Lakes Alive, Countywide
Lakes Alive is a four-year programme of world-class performance and arts events in the spectacular landscapes of Cumbria, the Lake District. It offers the opportunity for communities across Cumbria to engage with Art in a non-traditional way through staging world class performance and arts events in the spectacular landscapes of Cumbria, the Lake District. Lakes Alive has great visitor and community appeal and brought smiles and laughter to a lot of corners of Cumbria.
Guest Accommodation of the Year 2011
Sponsored by Lamont Pridmore
Joint Winners - The Wild Boar Inn, Windermere & The Grange Country Guest House, Keswick
Grange Country House exceeds your expectations in every way from arrival to departure. The property is beautifully decorated without being ostentatious and the service is excellent throughout. The breakfast, including homemade muesli is both plentiful and very tasty. The Grange offers excellent value for money and is somewhere the judges will return to.
Wild Boar Inn, Grill and Smokehouse
This traditional Inn with a contemporary twist offers an enjoyable and comfortable stay. The bedroom and public areas are lovely and they have achieved a great mix of traditional, heritage décor yet with a contemporary feel. Their use and promotion of local produce is excellent, as is the promotion of their own smokehouse which creates a point of difference from other inns in the area.
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
Sponsored by Hayton Winkley
Winner - Lakeland Climbing Centre, Kendal
The judges felt this climbing centre was in another league! The attraction is very diverse and offers a lot of scope for those interested in climbing whether a complete novice or an experienced climber. The staff are clearly enthusiastic about climbing and the centre and make you feel totally at ease if you are a novice. An excellent opportunity to try out your climbing skills in a safe environment.
Business Tourism Award
Sponsored by Armstrong Watson
Winner - Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle
Carlisle Racecourse offers a unique venue for meetings and conferences and they do this very well. The Racecourse continues to develop and improve its product on an on-going basis to meet customer demands. With flexible meeting spaces and knowledgeable and helpful staff, Carlisle Racecourse offers an exceptional standard in business tourism.
The Sheila Hensman Award for Outstanding Customer Service
Winner - David Hall, Senior Visitor Services Officer, Ullswater Steamers
David Hall is definitely a "genuine, smiling person with an excellent perception of what true customer service is all about. This means not only the external customers but also the internal ones - his colleagues, whom he seems to have an excellent rapport with. He recognises that visitors have worked hard and saved up to visit the lakes and he therefore believes that each experience should be the best it can be. He enjoys regular banter with the crew and the customers, making even ticket collection on a wet day an entertaining experience. He believes it's a waste of time and effort to be miserable when there's life to enjoy. He certainly enhances the customer experience and has made a difference to the business and its sustainability through various initiatives such as the I Spy guides for children not to mention his many promotional and fund raising activities dressed as Sammy the Squirrel."
Large Hotel of the Year
Sponsored by NatWest Commercial Banking, Lancaster & Cumbria
Winner - Trout Hotel, Cockermouth
An excellent hotel offering a high standard of accommodation complemented by excellent customer service. From start to finish it is clear that the team at The Trout Hotel want you to enjoy your stay with them. The hotel makes great use of local produce in their menus throughout the day.
Tourism Experience of the Year
Sponsored by Virgin Trains
Winner - Via Ferrata at Honister, Keswick
This developing attraction is exciting, interactive and unique in the area creating an adventurous and memorable experience for a wide range of visitors yet remaining true to the principles of sustainability and helping to support a number of jobs for local people. Visitors can not only experience the great Cumbrian outdoors but also see first hand the restoration of Cumbria's slate mining industry. Links with local tourism businesses and bus services have been established and are actively promoted, spreading the benefits to the wider visitor economy whilst minimising environmental impacts. Refreshments for visitors are locally sourced and provided in an appropriately designed environment - the visitor toilets are also spacious and impressive! The employees are clearly enthusiastic, informed, dedicated and committed to the vision for the attraction, the mine and Cumbria's visitor economy.
Holiday Park of the Year 2011
Sponsored by Colliers International
Winner - Park Cliffe Campaing & Caravan Estate, Windermere
Parkcliffe Caravan estate offers good value for money giving its stunning South Lakes location, the immaculate condition it is kept in and the excellent hospitality provided by the team. The site takes full advantage of the natural environment and there is a real sense of caring for the local environment. The mystery shoppers thoroughly enjoyed their stay at Parkcliffe and would return again and again.
