Judges for the prestigious White Rose Awards have revealed their decisions have been tougher than ever as they’ve unveiled the shortlist of this year’s finalists.
The awards, which are the biggest celebration of tourism in the UK recognise the very best businesses in Yorkshire.
The 17 categories cover everything from hotels to holiday parks, pubs to producers and arts to attractions.
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A thousand people will attend a glitzy award ceremony later this year when the winners and runners up will be announced.
Colin Mellors, chair of the White Rose Award judges, said: “Yorkshire’s tourism businesses are truly exceptional – bringing large numbers of visitors and income to the region and enhancing our reputation at home and abroad.
“The sector goes from strength to strength and many of its established stars feature on this year’s White Rose shortlist alongside some welcome new additions. What they have in common is their firm commitment to ensuring guests enjoy unrivalled hospitality, produce, facilities and experiences. The fantastic scenery and heritage provide the icing on the cake.
“With so many strong entries, shortlisting was very difficult this year. Choosing the eventual winners is going to be really tough.”
Sir Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “The quality of this year’s entries has been exceptional and makes me feel hugely proud of all the brilliant work going on in tourism in the county. It’s an honour to be part of these awards that recognise the many businesses and organisations that make Yorkshire such an amazing destination.
I extend my thanks to everyone who took the time to enter and huge congratulations to those who have made the shortlist.”
The full list of finalists is:
Arts & Culture Award
- Hull Truck Theatre
- Impressions Gallery, Bradford
- Kunsthuis Gallery, Crayke
- Spear at Semerwater – Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes
- The Craft Centre & Design Gallery, Leeds
- West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds
- Yorkshire Young Sinfonia, Scarborough
Business Tourism Award
- National Railway Museum, York
- The Camp Hill Estate, Bedale
- The Country Park, Hessle
- The English Institute of Sport Sheffield
- York Conferences Limited
- Yorkshire Event Centre, Harrogate
Guest Accommodation of the Year
- Cambridge House, Richmond
- Carr House Farm Bed & Breakfast, York
- Grassfield Hall, Pateley Bridge
- Low Mill Guesthouse, Bainbridge
- No. 21 York
- The Wold Cottage, Driffield
Holiday Park of the Year
- Akebar Park, Leyburn
- Camp Katur, Bedale
- Forest Holidays, Keldy, Pickering
- Harrogate Caravan Park
- Humble Bee Leisure, Scarborough
- Vale of Pickering Caravan Park
Inns & Restaurants with Rooms Award
- Ellerby Country Inn
- Estbek House, Whitby
- The Plough Scalby, near Scarborough
- The Saddle Room Restaurant, Leyburn
- The Three Acres, near Huddersfield
Large Attraction of the Year
- Brontë Parsonage Museum, Keighley
- Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal, Ripon
- National Science and Media Museum, Bradford
- Newby Hall & Gardens, Ripon
- Stockeld Park, Wetherby
- The Forbidden Corner, Leyburn
- The Wensleydale Creamery
Large Hotel of the Year
- Devonshire Arms Hotel & Spa, Skipton
- Holdsworth House Hotel & Restaurant, Halifax
- Rudding Park, Harrogate
- The Black Swan Hotel, Helmsley
- The Coniston Hotel, Country Estate & Spa, near Skipton
- The Principal York
- Wentbridge House Hotel, Pontefract
Outstanding Customer Service Award
- Pennine Cycles, Bradford
- Team York Maze
- The Grand Hotel & Spa, York
- Tong Garden Centre, Bradford
- Wentbridge House Hotel, Pontefract
- Yorebridge House, Leyburn
- York Racecourse
Producers and Makers Award
- DeliVita Limited,
- Masons Yorkshire Gin, Bedale
- The Little Red Berry Co. Ripon
- Tipple Tails, Sheffield
- Yorkshire Dama Cheese, Sowerby Bridhe
- Yorkshire Heart Vineyard & Brewery, York
Pub of the Year
- The Bay Tree, York
- The Bruce Arms, Ripon
- The Chequers Inn, York
- The Duke of York Inn, York
- The Swan & Talbot, Wetherby
- The White Swan, York
Restaurant of the Year
- Lanterna Restaurant, Scarborough
- Prashad, Drighlington
- The Hare Restaurant, near Thirsk
- The Pheasant Hotel, Helmsley
- The Westwood Restaurant, Beverley
- Wentworth Restaurant, Malton
Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year
- Broadgate Farm Cottages, Beverley
- Cottage in the Dales, Leyburn
- Dalesend Cottages, Bedale
- Lendal Tower, York
- Smallshaw Cottages & Spa, Sheffield
- Thief Hole Cottages, Northallerton
- Tunstall Road Farm, Catterick
Small Attraction of the Year
- Burton Constable Hall & Grounds, Skirlaugh
- Kilnsey Park, Skipton
- National Emergency Services Museum, Sheffield
- Scampston Hall & Walled Garden, Malton
- Stillingfleet Lodge Gardens, York
- The Georgian Theatre Experience, Richmond
Small Hotel of the Year
- Feversham Arms Hotel & Verbena Spa, Helmsley
- Goldsborough Hall, Goldsborough
- The Victoria Hotel, Robin Hoods Bay
- The West Park Hotel, Harrogate
- Tickton Grange Country Hotel, near Beverley
- Yorebridge House, Leyburn
Taste of Yorkshire Award
- Cannon Hall Farm, Barnsley
- Cedarbarn Farm Shop, Pickering
- Fodder, Harrogate
- Miller’s Fish and Chips, York
- The Firebox Café @ Stage1cycles, Hawes
- Wold Top Brewery, Driffield
Tourism Event of the Year
- Great Yorkshire Show, Harrogate
- HallowScream at York Maze
- Huddersfield Literature Festival 2017
- The North York Moors Chamber Music Festival
- Wakefield Festival of Food Drink & Rhubarb
- York St.Nicholas Fair
Visitor Information Award
- Bradford Visitor Information Centre
- Bridlington Tourist Information Centre
- Doncaster TIC
- Harrogate Tourist Information Centre
- Humber Bridge TIC, Hessle
- Visit York Information Centre
