A STRING of Lake District businesses have new silverware for the company mantelpiece after last night’s Cumbria Tourism Awards.

The winners were revealed at the Castle Green Hotel in Kendal by Cumbria’s very own television broadcaster and journalist, Kim Inglis as compere.

Taking home prizes were businesses from Windermere, Keswick, Appleby, Penrith, Carlisle, Newby Bridge, Silverdale, Ulverston and Ullswater.

The awards recognise hotels, guest accommodation, holiday parks, visitor attractions and the tourism employees who make up the county’s thriving £2-billion-a-year tourism industry.

MORE TOP STORIES:

The competition involves 13 categories including the Sheila Hensman Award for Outstanding Customer Service, the Tourism Experience Award, Sustainable Tourism Award and Taste Cumbria Award.

Cumbria Tourism said judges were looking for excellence in all areas.

Each category winner received a certificate and a specially commissioned engraved award, handcrafted by Cartmel-based artist Penni Simpson of Fusion Glass Art.

Ian Stephens, of Cumbria Tourism, said: “Last night our awards ceremony was a true celebration of the very best of what Cumbria has to offer and how they contribute to our already outstanding tourism offer.

“Recent figures released show that The Lake District and Cumbria has bounced back strongly after a difficult few years. Our strong performance was helped by the good summer weather but it is also the result of hard work and investment from the tourism operators to make sure that we compete on quality and price with destinations across the UK and overseas.”

Guest Accommodation of the Year

Hill Crest Country Guest House, Nr Newby Bridge

Holiday Park of the Year

Silverdale Holiday Park (Holgates)

Large Hotel of the Year

Best Western Plus Castle Green Hotel in Kendal

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year

Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery, Carlisle

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year

Stott Park Bobbin Mill, Lakeside

Self-Catering Holiday of the Year

Tottergill Farm Holiday Cottages, Castle Carrock

Highly Commended The Hyning Estate, Nr Kendal

The Sheila Hensman Award for Outstanding Customer Service

Jude Walker, Hall Hills, Nr Carlisle

Small Hotel of the Year

Cedar Manor Hotel & Restaurant, Windermere

Tourism Event of the Year

C-Art, Eden Arts, Penrith

Tourism Pub of the Year

Wild Boar Inn, Grill & Smokehouse, Windermere

Sustainable Tourism Award

The Quiet Site, Ullswater

Highly Commended

Appleby Manor Country House Hotel, Appleby

Taste Cumbria Award

The Watermill, Little Salkeld

Tourism Experience Award

Joint winners Treetop Trek, Windermere

Via Ferrata Xtreme, Honister