The finalists for the Cumbria Tourism Awards have been announced, showcasing the best that the county has to offer in 2016.

Judges have drawn up a shortlist of finalists across 16 categories from entries submitted, celebrating the huge range and diversity of Cumbria’s tourism industry. 

The majority of the winners from the awards will go on to represent the county at the Visit England Awards for Excellence in 2017. 

Brand new categories for 2016 include the Wedding Venue of the Year Award, and the B&B of the Year Award will celebrate Cumbria’s best smaller, family or owner run B&Bs, with the Guest Accommodation of the Year Award now aimed at those larger guest houses, inns or restaurants with rooms.

This year the awards evening will take place on Wednesday June 22 at Cartmel Racecourse. 

Ian Stephens, managing director at Cumbria Tourism, said: “It has been a fantastic year for entries with exceptional quality shown across all the categories. This has made it very difficult for the shortlisting panel to select the finalists and has resulted in an unprecedented number of businesses going forward as finalists. 

"We appreciate that recent months have been a very difficult time for businesses but the overwhelming response to promote themselves and enter into the awards process shows once again the commitment and determination of tourism businesses in Cumbria and the immense pride in what they do.” 

The 2016 finalists are: 

Large Hotel of the Year sponsored by Armstrong Watson

· North Lakes Hotel & Spa, Penrith

· Castle Green Hotel, Kendal

· Waterhead, Ambleside

Small Hotel of the Year sponsored by Colliers International 

· Appleby Manor Hotel & Garden Spa, Appleby

· The Leathes Head Hotel, Borrowdale

· Sharrow Bay, Ullswater

· Merewood Country House Hotel, Windermere

Guest Accommodation of the Year sponsored by Lamont Pridmore  

· The Sun Inn, Kirkby Lonsdale

· Augill Castle, South Stainmore

· Askhall Hall, Askham

· Applegarth Villa & Restaurant, Windermere

B&B of the Year sponsored by Cumberland Business  

· Whitrigg House, Clifton

· Rivergarth, Eamont Bridge

Self-Catering Holiday of the Year sponsored by Out of Eden  

· Waternook Lakeside Accommodation, Howtown

· Mill House Cottages, Kirkby Lonsdale

· Hollybank Holiday Cottages, Gilcrux

· Beech House Holidays, Dalston

Holiday Park of the Year sponsored by NatWest Commercial Banking  

· Park Cliffe Camping and Caravan Estate, Windermere

· Park Foot Caravan and Camping Park, Pooley Bridge

· National Trust Great Langdale Campsite, Great Langdale

Tourism Experience of the Year sponsored by Cumbria Tourism  

· Zeffirellis and Fellinis, Ambleside

· Lakeland Segway, Cartmel

· The Lakes Distillery, Bassenthwaite

· Go Ape Grizedale, Grizedale Forest


Tourism Event of the Year sponsored by G1 Colourmedia

· Big Chill Swim International World Cup & World Open Water Swimming Awards

· The Winter Droving

· Muncaster Halloween Week

· Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy at Ullswater Yacht Club

Visitor Attraction of the Year sponsored by H&H Reeds Printers  

· The Lake District Coast Aquarium, Maryport

· Steam Yacht Gondola, Coniston

· Lakeland Climbing Centre, Kendal

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year sponsored by Burnetts Solicitors  

· Wray Castle, National Trust

· Grizedale Forest

· Ullswater Steamers

· Windermere Lake Cruises

Taste Cumbria sponsored by Enterprise Answers Taste Cumbria Dining Experience of the Year 

· The Lamplighter Dining Rooms, Windermere

· The Forest Side, Grasmere

· Bistro at the Lakes Distillery, Bassenthwaite

· The Cottage in the Wood, Whinlatter Forest

· George and Dragon, Clifton

Taste Cumbria Retailer of the Year 

· Cranstons Cumbrian Food Hall, Penrith

· Grasmere Gingerbread, Grasmere

· Low Sizergh Barn, Nr Kendal

Wedding Venue of the Year sponsored by Napthens Solicitors  

· Augill Castle, South Stainmore

· The Daffodil Hotel & Spa, Grasmere

· The Wild Boar Inn, Grill and Smokehouse, Windermere

· Askham Hall, Askham

Sustainable Tourism Award sponsored by University of Cumbria  

· Cedar Manor Hotel, Windermere

· Rydal Hall, Rydal

· Ullswater Steamers

· FSC Blencathra Centre, Threlkeld

The Sheila Hensman Award for Outstanding Contribution to Excellence 

· Hilary Hutchinson, Lakeland Chauffeurs, Windermere

· Nico Chieze, Askham Hall, Askham

· Tom Panter, Merewood Country House Hotel, Windermere

Tourism Pub of the Year  

· The Wheatsheaf, Brigsteer

· The Cuckoo Brow Inn, Far Sawrey

· The Beer Hall at Hawkshead Brewery, Staveley

New Tourism Business Award 

· Threlkeld Coffee Shop, Threlkeld 

· Casterton Footgolf, Casterton 

· Claife Viewing Station, National Trust, Claife