Richmondshire companies were among the winners at last night’s White Rose Awards.
The winners included the Wensleydale Creamery which got a silver in the Taste of England category and the Wensleydale Heifer, in West Witton, which won silver in the Small Hotel category.
Brompton Lakes got silver in the Self -Catering Accommodation of the Year, while the George and Dragon at Hudswell won bronze in the Pub of the Year category.
Elsewhere, Cottage in the Dales won silver in the Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award.
This year’s event was the biggest yet with more awards up for grabs than ever before; 103 finalists battled it out to win in 19 categories with a number of brand-new awards including Accessible and Inclusive Tourism, Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism and an International Tourism Award added to the list.
This year also saw the introduction of the Gold, Silver, Bronze award system allowing the judges to recognise the achievements of more Yorkshire businesses.
It also means more opportunities for finalists to progress through to the national tourism awards run by Visit England.
Chair of judges Elaine Lemm said: “It’s been fantastic to see all these wonderful businesses who work so hard giving visitors to Yorkshire the best experience possible and ultimately keep them coming back year on year.
“These businesses go above and beyond, and it’s been brilliant to see them get the recognition they deserve.
“The partnership with Visit England means most of tonight’s winners go through to the national finals and I’m certain from the incredible standard we’ve had here tonight we’ll be seeing many national awards coming home to Yorkshire.”
Chair of Welcome to Yorkshire, Peter Box said: “I couldn’t have been prouder to have been a part of tonight’s White Rose Awards to see the very best in Yorkshire tourism honoured for their huge amount of hard work and dedication to making Yorkshire one of the best places to visit in the world.
“Every single winner whether they got a bronze, silver or gold should be incredibly proud.”
Former Sheffield United, Leeds United and Bradford City player turned Sky Sports pundit Chris Kamara performed two festive favourites from his debut album Here’s to Christmas, at the first direct Arena.
Hosted by former Emmerdale actor Natalie Anderson and broadcaster Rich Williams the glitzy ceremony, which is the largest celebration of tourism in the UK, went off with a bang thanks to fantastic performances from Leeds West Indian Carnival, high energy street dance crew Scandalous from Huddersfield, and upcoming South Yorkshire pop star Charlotte Hannah.
There was a Great British Bake-Off reunion as Yorkshire stars Dan Chambers, Amelia Le Bruin and Helena Garcia came to celebrate with the winners.
White Rose Award Winners 2019
Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award
GOLD: The Deep, Hull
SILVER: Hull Truck Theatre
BRONZE: Cottage in the Dales, Leyburn
Arts & Culture Award
GOLD: Hull Truck Theatre
SILVER: Freedom Festival Arts Trust, Hull
BRONZE: Emma Stothard Sculpture, Whitby
B&B and Guest House of the Year
GOLD: The Barn, Monk Fryston
SILVER: Grassfield Hall, Pateley Bridge
BRONZE: Woodlands Farm, Northallerton
Business Events Venue of the Year
GOLD: Broughton Hall Estate, Skipton
SILVER: The Grand, York
BRONZE: Inox – The University of Sheffield
Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year
GOLD: Wolds Edge Holiday Lodges, Bishop Wilton
SILVER: Vale of Pickering Caravan Park
BRONZE: Patrington Haven Leisure Park Hull
Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award
GOLD: William’s Den, North Cave
SILVER: Fodder, Harrogate
BRONZE: Stillingfleet Lodge Gardens
Experience of the Year
GOLD: Hotham’s Gin School and Distillery, Hull
SILVER: YORTOURS, Harrogate
BRONZE: Leeds Cookery School
Inns & Restaurants with Rooms Award
GOLD: Manor House Lindley, Lindley
SILVER: The Star Inn at Harome
BRONZE: Estbek House, Whitby
International Tourism Award
GOLD: Castle Howard, York
SILVER: Visit York
BRONZE: The Grand, York
Large Hotel of the Year
GOLD: The Grand, York
SILVER: The Coniston Hotel Country Estate & Spa, Skipton
BRONZE: Wentbridge House Hotel, Pontefract
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
GOLD: Yorkshire Sculpture Park, West Bretton
SILVER: York Maze
BRONZE: RSPB Bempton Cliffs
New Tourism Business Award
GOLD: William’s Den, North Cave
SILVER: Hotham’s Gin School and Distillery, Hull
BRONZE: Bonus Arena, Hull
Producers and Makers Award
GOLD: York Emporium
SILVER: Puckett’s Pickles, York
BRONZE: Hotham’s Gin School and Distillery, Hull
Pub of the Year
GOLD: The Durham Ox, Crayke
SILVER: The Millers Bar, Brighouse
BRONZE: The George and Dragon, Hudswell
Self -Catering Accommodation of the Year
GOLD: Broadgate Farm Cottages, Walkington
SILVER: Brompton Lakes, near Richmond
BRONZE: Smallshaw Cottages & Spa, Sheffield
Small Hotel of the Year
GOLD: Grays Court Hotel & The Bow Room Restaurant, York
SILVER: The Wensleydale Heifer, West Witton
BRONZE: Goldsborough Hall, Knaresborough
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
GOLD: Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery, Hunmanby
SILVER: Hotham’s Gin School and Distillery, Hull
BRONZE: Go Ape Dalby
Taste of England Award
GOLD: The Star Inn at Harome
SILVER: Wensleydale Creamery, Hawes
BRONZE: The Pheasant Hotel, Harome
Tourism Event Award
GOLD: Yorkshire Dales Food & Drink Festival
SILVER: Hallowscream at York Maze
BRONZE: Springtime Live, Harrogate
