A panel of tourism industry experts, including VisitEngland board member and hotelier David Orr, chose 34 Gold and Silver winners in all across 15 categories from a shortlist of 69.
Rockliffe Hall in County Durham was awarded a Gold in the Large Hotel of the Year category while Bath Priory received the same accolade under Small Hotel of the Year.
Receiving Golds under the Best B&B/Guest Accommodation of the Year category were Pentillie Castle & Estate in Cornwall and The Ashton in Lancashire while Michael Gore of Best Western Premier Leyland Hotel won a Gold for his 'outstanding' customer service.
Formerly known as the Enjoy England Awards the event is designed to celebrate the best operators and individuals in tourism and hospitality across the country. Hospitality businesses were shortlisted in seven of the 15 categories (listed below) with many gaining Silver, Bronze or Highly Commended
Speaking at the awards ceremony at Athena in Leicester yesterday, VisitEngland chief executive, James Berresford, said: “The VisitEngland Awards for Excellence represent the highest accolade in English tourism. They champion the very best quality, and continue to help to raise standards across the industry, establishing England’s place as a world-class destination and a thoroughly fantastic place to visit.
"This year’s awards were the biggest ever, with a record number of almost 400 entrants from across the country. All our finalists are to be warmly congratulated for their success – particularly our Gold Award winners, whose passion and commitment to excellence is outstanding.”
The results in the categories with hospitality businesses shortlisted were:
Access for All Tourism Award
Gold
- Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle upon Tyne
- Leicester Theatre Trust (The Curve), Leicester
Bronze
- University of Leeds Storm Jameson Court, Leeds
Highly Commended
- Abbey Guest House, Oxon
- The Beacon, Cumbria
- Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool
Bed & Breakfast/Guest Accommodation of the Year
Gold
- Pentille Castle & Estate, St Mellion, Cornwall
- The Ashton, Lancaster, Lancashire
Bronze
- Dowfold House B&B, County Durham
Highly Commended
- Meadowcroft Barn B&B, Bolton, Gtr Manchester
- Roundhouse Barn Holidays, Cornwall
Business Tourism Award
Gold
- Cotswold Conference Centre, Worcestershire
Silver
- The Lowry Hotel, Manchester
Bronze
- Ribby Hall Business & Banqueting Centre, Preston, Lancashire
- Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Yorkshire
Large Hotel of the Year
Gold
- Rockcliffe Hall Hotel, Golf Spa Resort, County Durham
Silver
- Rudding Park, Yorkshire
Bronze
- Bovey Castle, Devon
- Trout Hotel, Cumbria
Small Hotel of the Year
Gold
- Bath Priory, Bath
Highly Commended
- Swinton Park, Yorkshire
Outstanding Customer Service of the Year Award
Gold
- Michael Gore, Best Western Premier Leyland Hotel
Silver
- David Hall ‘Welsh Dave’, Ullswater Steamers
Highly Commended
- Rebecca & David Palmer-Bunting, Robin Hood Camping & Caravan Park
- Fred Sirieix Team, Galvin at Windows, London
- William Salve, MacDonald Linden Hall Golf & Country Club, Northumberland
Taste of England Award
Gold
- Fodder, Yorkshire
Silver
- Fischers at Baslow Hall, Derbyshire
- George and Dragon, Cumbria
Highly Commended
- British Larder, Suffolk
- Opus One Restaurant & Bar, Manchester