Cotswolds Distillery shortlisted for national tourism award
THE Cotswolds Distillery is flying the flag for Warwickshire in the tourism industry’s national Awards for Excellence.
It is one of three on the shortlist for the Guided Tour of the Year prize.
Others are World of Wedgwood in Staffordshire and York's Chocolate Story.
There are 54 finalists in 18 categories, all of whom will be invited to attend a traditional afternoon tea at the Bath Assembly Rooms on St George’s Day, 23rd April where they will be award Bronze, Silver or Gold award.
The Cotswolds Distillery produces a single malt whiskey, as well as gin, martini and sherry from its premises in Stourton near Stratford-upon-Avon.
VisitEngland chief executive, Sally Balcombe, said: "These awards are a celebration of our thriving tourism industry, they highlight the people and the organisations that deliver amazing experiences for visitors, raising the profile of England as a world-class destination.
“The finalists have shown themselves to be of the highest calibre, using their talent and innovation to deliver excellence.
"The hundreds of applications this year reflect the quality products across our tourism landscape and I warmly congratulate all the finalists and wish them the very best of luck.”
Latest VisitEngland statistics show that from January to November 2017 Brits took more than 44million holidays in England, spending in excess of £10billion on staycations, up five and six per cent respectively compared to the same period in 2016.
Tourism in England contributes £106billion to the British economy.
The full list of VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2018 finalists are:
Bed & Breakfast of the Year:
Alkham Court Farmhouse, Kent
South Lodge Boutique B&B, Buckinghamshire
The 25 Boutique B&B, Devon
Boutique Guest Accommodation of the Year:
Cary Arms & Spa, Devon
Hever Castle, Kent
Yorebridge House, Yorkshire
Business Tourism Award:
Rookery Hall, Cheshire
Sage Gateshead, Tyne & Wear
Tewkesbury Park, Gloucestershire
Dog Friendly Business of the Year:
Bulleigh Barton Manor, Devon
Salad Days, Somerset
Wallops Wood Cottages, Hampshire
Guided Tour of the Year:
The Cotswolds Distillery, Warwickshire
World of Wedgwood, Staffordshire
York's Chocolate Story, Yorkshire
Holiday Park / Holiday Village of the Year:
Gwel an Mor Resort, Cornwall
Polmanter Touring Park, Cornwall
Seafield Caravan Park, Northumberland
Hotel of the Year:
Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, Wiltshire
Rudding Park, Yorkshire
Seaham Hall, County Durham
Inbound Tourism Award:
Beiwei 55, London & Tyne & Wear
The Grand Hotel & Spa, Yorkshire
The Roman Baths & Pump Room, Bath & North East Somerset
Inclusive Tourism Award:
Cottage in the Dales, Yorkshire
Mylor Sailing School, Cornwall
The Roman Baths & Pump Room, Bath & North East Somerset
Innovation in Tourism Award:
British Airways i360, East Sussex
Go North East, Tyne & Wear
Lake District China Forum, Cumbria
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year:
Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
Moors Valley Country Park and Forest, Dorset
National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire
New Tourism Business Award:
Ascent Trampoline Park, Lancashire
CityStasher, London
Loose Reins, Dorset
Self Catering Holiday Provider of the Year:
Sheepyard Barn at The Suffolk Escape, Suffolk
The Milkshed, Devon
The Treehouses at Port Lympne Reserve, Kent
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year:
Hall Hill Farm, County Durham
Screech Owl Sanctuary, Cornwall
the Charterhouse, London
Sustainable Tourism Award:
Browsholme Hall, Lancashire
Colton House, Staffordshire
Laverock Law Cottages, Northumberland
Taste of England Award:
Askham Hall, Cumbria
Miller's Fish and Chips, Yorkshire
Restaurant Hywel Jones by Lucknam Park, Wiltshire
Tourism Pub of the Year:
The Bruce Arms, Yorkshire
The Cartford Inn, Lancashire
The Riverside at Aymestrey, Herefordshire
Visitor Information Provider of the Year:
Liverpool Tourist Information Centre, Merseyside
Oxford Visitor Information Centre, Oxfordshire
York Visitor Information Centre, Yorkshire
