The finalists of the 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, July 6, 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.

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, said: "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 added: "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."

The finalists are:  

ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE TOURISM AWARD - Anyone Can, Newby Bridge, and Calvert Lakes, Keswick.

ETHICAL, RESPONSIBLE AND SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARD - Long Valley Yurts, Windermere, Muncaster Castle, Gardens and Hawk and Owl Centre, and Shed 1 Gin, Ulverston.

LARGE HOTEL OF THE YEAR - Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa, Bassenthwaite Lake, Keswick, Linthwaite House, Windermere, and Skiddaw Hotel, Keswick.

SMALL HOTEL OF THE YEAR - Askham Hall, Farlam Hall Hotel and Restaurant, Brampton, and The Yan at Broadrayne, Grasmere.

B AND B AND GUEST HOUSE OF THE YEAR - Cedar Manor, Windermere, Lockholme Bed and Breakfast, Kirkby Stephen, and The Sally, Irthington.

SELF-CATERING ACCOMMODATION OF THE YEAR - Dufton Barn Holidays, Elmira and Maid of Kent - Ravenglass Railway Camping Coaches, Lakes Hostel, Windermere, and Waterbird Boathouse at Hill of Oaks Park, Windermere.

CAMPING, GLAMPING AND HOLIDAY PARK OF THE YEAR - Pennine View Park, Kirkby Stephen, Park Foot Holiday Park, Ullswater, and The Quiet Site, Ullswater.

SMALL VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR - Muncaster Castle, Gardens and Hawk and Owl Centre, and Wordsworth Grasmere

LARGE VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR - Treetop Lake District, Brockhole, Windermere, Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery, Carlisle, and Walby Farm Park, Crosby-on-Eden.

EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR - Graythwaite Adventure, Honister Slate Mine, Shed 1 Gin, Ulverston, and Mountain Goat Tours, Windermere.

PUB OF THE YEAR - The Black Swan, Ravenstonedale, George and Dragon, Clifton, Three Shires Inn, Little Langdale, and The Wheatsheaf, Beetham.

TASTE OF CUMBRIA AWARD - Allium at Askham Hall, The Cottage in the Wood, Braithwaite, The Music Room at Augill Castle, Kirkby Stephen, and The Yan at Broadrayne, Grasmere.

MAKERS AND PRODUCERS AWARD - Aqua Pura, Armathwaite, Lakes Ice Cream, Kendal, Pure Lakes Skincare, Staveley, and Shed 1 Gin, Ulverston

-WEDDING VENUE OF THE YEAR - Askham Hall and Bank Barn, Briery Wood Country House Hotel, Windermere, and The Coppermines Lakes Cottages, Coniston

-NEW TOURISM BUSINESS AWARD - Bassenthwaite Lake Station, Dandelion and Hoglet Holiday Cottages, Dalston, The Green Cumbria, Kirkby Stephen, and Lakes Laser Tag, Ulverston.

-THE SHEILA HENSMAN UNSUNG HERO AWARD - Michael Wilson, The Guide over Sands Trust, Roland Thompson, Honister Slate Mine, and Joseph Cobb, Lake District Country Hotels, Windermere.