VisitEngland Excellence Awards 2012: Winners revealed

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