The national park information centre at Aysgarth Falls was among the winners at last night’s White Rose Awards.
The centre won the visitor information awards.
The district’s other winner was Cambridge House, in Reeth, which took home the visitor accommodation award, while Swaledale Yurts, in Keld, was runner up in the holiday park of the year category.
The awards recognise the stars in Yorkshire’s tourism industry from arts and culture to events and attractions, accommodation, food and drink.
More than a thousand-people, including stars from Great British Bake Off, Yorkshire football and cricket, and record-breaking racing star Mark Johnston attended teh event which was billed as ‘Yorkshire’s Big Night Out’ at the Harrogate Convention Centre to find out the winners of the 17 awards.
Guests were also treated to world class performances from Mercury nominee Kate Rusby, the Yorkshire Regiment, Queen Margaret’s Performing Arts Choir and Huddersfield dance troop Scandalous Productions.
They also saw England Manager Gareth Southgate be named an Honorary Yorkshireman in recognition of his achievements with the England team at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and his dedication to Yorkshire which has now been his home for almost 20 years.
Sir Gary Verity DL, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “Every single winner and finalist this evening deserves huge congratulations, they are all stars of Yorkshire and the UK’s tourism industry and should be incredibly proud of their achievements.
“Yorkshire has some of the best food and drink, accommodation, arts and attractions in the world thanks to the fantastic effort of our members and I hope they are as proud as we are of everything we achieve together to keep our county a number one visitor destination.”
Chair of the independent panel of judges, Professor Colin Mellors said: “It has been another tremendous year for Yorkshire tourism.
“The sector makes a vital contribution to the region’s economy and its reputation and the White Rose Awards are our annual opportunity to recognise and celebrate the very best of Yorkshire hospitality.
“This year’s winners include both established favourites who continue to work hard to achieve even higher levels of excellence, alongside newer businesses that are adding to the richness and variety of what Yorkshire can offer to its growing number of visitors. The term ‘world class’ is often over-used, but Yorkshire’s tourism is one sector where the description is entirely justified.”
FULL LIST OF WINNERS
ARTS & CULTURE AWARD
Leeds Playhouse
BUSINESS TOURISM AWARD
Yorkshire Event Centre, Harrogate
HOLIDAY PARK OF THE YEAR
Vale of Pickering Caravan Park
GUEST ACCOMMODATION OF THE YEAR
Cambridge House, Reeth
INNS & RESTAURANTS WITH ROOMS
Estbek House, Sandsend
LARGE ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR
Cannon Hall Farm, Barnsley
LARGE HOTEL OF THE YEAR
The Devonshire Arms Hotel & Spa, Bolton Abbey
OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD
Team York Maze
PRODUCERS AND MAKERS AWARD
Tipple Tails, Sheffield
PUB OF THE YEAR
The Dunkirk, Denby Dale
RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
SKOSH, York
SELF-CATERING ACCOMMODATION
Broadgate Farm Cottages, Beverley
SMALL ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR
Grimm & Co, Rotherham
SMALL HOTEL OF THE YEAR
Brocco on the Park, Sheffield
TASTE OF YORKSHIRE AWARD
Yummy Yorkshire, Denby Dale
TOURISM EVENT OF THE YEAR
Bradford Literature Festival
VISITOR INFORMATION AWARD
Aysgarth Falls Tourist Information Centre
FULL HIGHLY COMMENDED LIST
ARTS & CULTURE AWARD
Phoenix Dance Theatre, Leeds
Settle Victoria Hall
HOLIDAY PARK OF THE YEAR
Swaledale Yurts, Keld
GUEST ACCOMMODATION OF THE YEAR
Eighteen97, Goathland
LARGE ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR
Eureka! The National Children’s Museum, Halifax
LARGE HOTEL OF THE YEAR
Gisborough Hall Hotel, Guisborough
OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD
The Ellerby Country Inn
PRODUCERS AND MAKERS AWARD
Haxby Bakehouse
PUB OF THE YEAR
The Railway Inn, New Ellerby
SELF-CATERING ACCOMMODATION
Grand Get-Togethers, Sherburn
SMALL ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR
Middleton Railway Trust, Leeds
SMALL HOTEL OF THE YEAR
Beck Hall, Malham
TASTE OF YORKSHIRE AWARD
Bert’s Barrow, Hillam
