CUMBRIA Tourism Award judges have drawn up a shortlist of finalists after sifting through almost 150 entries in the annual competition.

The awards showcase 16 categories covering every conceivable type of tourism business and celebrate the very best of the county's vibrant visitor economy.

Exciting changes for 2019 include the launch of two brand new categories - a makers and producers award and an accessible and inclusive tourism award.

The finalists will face another round of judging which will include a mystery shopping visit or announced visit from an industry expert. The winners will be unveiled at a black-tie celebration of tourism at Cartmel Racecourse on June 19 in front of an audience of 400.

The event will be hosted by comedian, writer and musician Mike Wilkinson, who has appeared alongside the likes of Dave Spikey, Johnny Vegas and Peter Kay.

Gill Haigh, the managing director of Cumbria Tourism, said: “There’s no denying that Cumbria is a world-class visitor destination and it’s utterly fantastic to see our county’s natural beauty and heritage matched by the amazing range and quality of our record-breaking number of entries – we’re overwhelmed by the incredibly high standards they all showcase!

"Whether our visitors come for a luxury break or an adventurous weekend, our fabulous foodie offerings or for life-changing experiences we have it all, and it’s only right that we recognise the hard work and dedication that so many people put into making our county the place to be.

"These awards celebrate every business supporting our thriving industry with the length and breadth of Cumbria represented by their very best ambassadors – our judges have an incredibly difficult task ahead of them and choosing the overall winners for 2019.”

The Cumbria Tourism Awards 2019 finalists are:

Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award - Sponsored by Expedia

• Lake District Calvert Trust, Bassenthwaite

• Treetop Trek, Windermere

Camping, Glamping & Holiday Park of the Year- Sponsored by Natwest Commercial Banking

• Park Cliffe, Windermere

• Waterfoot Park, Pooley Bridge, Ullswater

• Castlerigg Hall Caravan, Camping and Glamping Park, Keswick

Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism Award- Sponsorship opportunities available

• The Quiet Site, Ullswater

• Ullswater ‘Steamers’

• Cedar Manor Hotel, Windermere

B&B & Guest House of the Year- Sponsored by Lamont Pridmore

• Haven Cottage, Ambleside

• The Sally, Irthington

• Raise View, Grasmere

Experience of the Year Award- Sponsored by Carlisle Lake District Airport

• CBA Events @ Graythwaite

• Alpacaly Ever After CIC, Portinscale

• Cumbria Crystal, Ulverston

Large Hotel of the Year– Sponsored by Christie & Co.

• Lodore Falls Hotel and Spa, Borrowdale

• Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa, Bassenthwaite

• Another Place, The Lake, Ullswater

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year- Sponsored by H&H Reeds

• Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway

• Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery Trust, Carlisle

New Tourism Business of the Year- Sponsored by Thomson Hayton Winkley

• Dome House Lakes, Bowness-on-Windermere

• 1692 Wasdale, Gosforth

• The Black Bull, Sedbergh

Makers & Producers Award -Sponsorship opportunities available

• The Lakes Distillery, Setmurthy

• Grasmere Gingerbread®, Grasmere

• Pure Lakes Skincare Ltd, Staveley

Pub of the Year - Sponsorship opportunities available

• The Black Labrador, Underbarrow

• The Black Swan, Ravenstonedale

• The Crafty Baa, Windermere

Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year- Sponsored by Out of Eden

• Bon Vivant Boutique Smart Villa, Bowness on Windermere

• The Lodges at Artlegarth, Ravenstonedale

• The Lingholm Estate, Portinscale

Small Hotel of the Year- Sponsored by Colliers International

• Brownber Hall, Newbiggin-on-Lune

• The Regent Hotel, Ambleside

• The Halston, Carlisle

Taste of Cumbria- Sponsored by The Cumberland for Business

• 1863 Restaurant and Rooms, Pooley Bridge

• Askham Hall, Penrith

• Plato's, Kirkby Lonsdale

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year– Sponsored by Northern

• Wordsworth House and Garden, Cockermouth

• Brantwood, John Ruskin's Home, Coniston

• Birdoswald Roman Fort, Gilsland

Wedding Venue of the Year– Sponsorship opportunity available

• Cote How Lake District Weddings, Rydal

• Lodore Falls Hotel and Spa, Borrowdale

• Lindeth Howe Hotel, Bowness-on-Windermere

• Cragwood Country House Hotel, Windermere

The Sheila Hensman Award for Outstanding Customer Service

• Richard Monk-Steel (Waterfoot Park, Pooley Bridge)

• Marion Thompson (Bowness Bay Visitor Centre)

• Jake Winter (Lyzzick Hall Hotel, Underskiddaw)

To find out more about the Cumbria Tourism Awards, visit: www.cumbriatourism.org/awards