Bassenthwaite Lake Station has been named among the best in the country at a major awards ceremony celebrating England’s tourism.
VisitEngland’s prestigious Awards for Excellence champion the brightest and best in the industry.
At the glittering ceremony in London yesterday, June 7, six of Cumbria’s tourism firms won awards and Michael Wilson, Official Guide to the Kent Estuary, of the Guide over Sands Trust, was named as England’s Unsung Hero.
Bassenthwaite Lake Station scooped the silver award in the New Tourism Business of the Year category.
Situated on what was once the Cockermouth, Keswick and Penrith railway line, it was bought by Simon and Diana Parums in 2019.
The pair initially wanted to run it as a holiday let, but decided instead to turn it into an attraction – with the addition of a replica steam train which appeared in the 2017 Kenneth Brannagh film Murder on the Orient Express.
Among the 20 firms winning a gold award were The Quiet Site in Ullswater and Askham Hall, while silver awards went to Cedar Manor in Windermere, Shed 1 Distillery in Ulverston for its make your own gin experience and Muncaster Castle and Gardens.
The prestigious VisitEngland Awards for Excellence have been running for more than 30 years.
VisitEngland director Andrew Stokes said: “It is fantastic to come together as an industry to celebrate our world-class tourism businesses. Competition this year was fierce with customer service excellence evident across every category, thanks to the passion and dedication of individuals.
“I congratulate all the winners and especially those who won gold, an achievement cementing their place as the country’s crème de la crème, standard-bearers for England’s tourism industry.”
VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2023 winners
B&B and Guest House of the Year
- GOLD Piglets Boutique B&B, Essex
- SILVER Cedar Manor, Windermere
- BRONZE Sunnyside Guest House, Merseyside
Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year
- GOLD The Quiet Site, Ullswater
- SILVER Brook Meadow, Leicestershire
- BRONZE Hendra Holiday Park, Cornwall
Experience of the Year
- GOLD Grey Seal and Seabird Cruise, Serenity Farne Island Boat Tours, Northumberland
- SILVER Make Your Own Gin Experience, Shed 1 Gin Distillery, Ulverston
- BRONZE Peak District Walking Experience, myGuidedWalks, Derbyshire
New Tourism Business of the Year
- GOLD Thorington Theatre, Suffolk
- SILVER Bassenthwaite Lake Station, near Keswick
- BRONZE Great British Car Journey, Derbyshire
Small Hotel of the Year
- GOLD Askham Hall, Eden
- SILVER THE PIG-at Combe, Devon
- BRONZE Wildhive Callow Hall, Derbyshire
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
- GOLD Watatunga Wildlife Reserve, Norfolk
- SILVER Muncaster Castle, Gardens and Hawk & Owl Centre, Cumbria
- BRONZE PK Porthcurno, Cornwall
Unsung Hero Award
- GOLD Michael Wilson, Official Guide to the Kent Estuary, Guide Over Sands Trust, Cumbria
- SILVER Marie Colgrave, Welcome Building Supervisor, Whitchurch Silk Mill, Hampshire
- BRONZE Carol Adams, Head of Horticulture & Biodiversity, Trentham, Staffordshire
