Lancashire Tourism Awards 2014 finalists announced

Marketing Lancashire has revealed the finalists of the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2014.

The awards now in its 11th year have received a record number of applications with an increase of 25% on last year. The prize-giving event will take place on Thursday 6 November at The Blackpool Tower Ballroom.

Ruth Connor, chief executive of Marketing Lancashire, said: “We are extremely impressed with the quality and quantity of applications this year. We have seen significant investment in this sector over the past twelve months with over 1000 new jobs being created. The industry continues to grow with visitor numbers increasing by 1 million to 63 million and visitor spend contributing £3.5 billion to the Lancashire economy.

"The awards are an evening to celebrate the hard work and dedication of businesses and individuals who play a pivotal role in the success and sustainability of this priority sector for Lancashire. We look forward to colleagues across the county joining us on the 6 November at The Blackpool Tower when the winners will be revealed.”

Winners in certain categories (marked *) will go forward to represent Lancashire at the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2015.

2014 Lancashire Tourism Awards Finalists

B&B Guest Accommodation Award* Broadgate Farm B&B, Bleasdale The Borough, Lancaster The Bromley, Blackpool The Castle Inn, Hornby The Spread Eagle, Clitheroe Wagon & Horses, Lancaster

Holiday Park/Holiday Village Award* Bay View Holiday Park, Carnforth Claylands Park, Garstang Ribblesdale Park, Gisburn

Small Hotel Award* Briardene Hotel, Thonton Cleveleys Hipping Hall, Kirkby Lonsdale The Millstone Hotel, Mellor Northcote, Langho Stirk House Hotel, Gisburn The Villa Country House Hotel, Wrea Green

Large Hotel Award* Barton Grange Hotel, Preston Big Blue Hotel, Blackpool Elgin Hotel, Blackpool Holiday Inn Express Burnley Holiday Inn Lancaster Lancaster House Hotel Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel and Spa, Clayton-le-Moors The Midland, Morecambe

Self-Catering Holiday Provider Award* The Berkeley Apartments, Blackpool Burbage Holiday Group, Blackpool Canal Boat Cruises, Hoghton Crookhall Farm, Nr Ormskirk Wolfen Mill Country Retreats, Chipping

Conference / Meeting Venue Award* Blackpool Pleasure Beach Preston Marriott Hotel West Lancashire Investment Centre, Skelmersdale Winter Gardens, Blackpool

Wedding Venue Award Ashton Hall, Lancaster Browsholme Hall and Tithe Barn, Clitheroe The Wedding Chapel, Blackpool Gibbon Bridge Hotel, Chipping The Great Hall at Mains, Poulton-le-Fylde The Midland, Morecambe Mitton Hall, Nr Whalley The Villa Country House Hotel, Wrea Green

Taste Lancashire Award* The Assheton Arms, Clitheroe The Castle Inn, Hornby The Highwayman, Kirkby Lonsdale La Locanda Ristorante Italiano, Gisburn The Parkers Arms, Newton in Bowland Roaming Roosters, Nr Burnley Twelve Restaurant and Lounge Bar, Thornton Cleveleys

Tourism Pub Award* The Assheton Arms, Clitheroe The Cartford Inn, Little Eccleston Freemasons at Wiswell The Sparrowhawk, Fence The Three Fishes, Mitton

Retail Experience Award Brooks Collectables Museum & Retro Arcade, Blackpool Cedar Farm, Mawdesley Roaming Roosters, Nr Burnley St George’s Shopping Centre, Preston Lancaster & Morecambe Visitor Information Centres Maureen Cookson, Whalley

Tourism Event of the Year Award* 120th Anniversary at Blackpool Tower Blackpool Switch-on Festival Weekend Clitheroe Food Festival The Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival, Colne Harris Flights, Preston Lancaster Music Festival Light up Lancaster Lytham Proms Lytham 1940s Wartime Festival Ride the Lights, Blackpool Tram Sunday, Fleetwood Vintage by the Sea, Morecambe

Small Visitor Attraction Award* Astley Hall Coach House and Park, Chorley Brook Memorabilia Museum, Blackpool Canal Boat Cruises, Hoghton Carnforth Station Heritage Centre Go Ape Rivington Leighton Hall, Carnforth The Visitor Centre at Mrs Dowsons, Clayton-le-Dale

Large Visitor Attraction Award* Blackpool Zoo Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, Burscough Blackpool Pleasure Beach Brockholes, Preston East Lancashire Railway

Cultural Venue / Organisation Award Browsholme Hall, Clitheroe The Dukes, Lancaster Grundy Art Gallery, Blackpool Horse + Bamboo Theatre, Rossendale Lancashire Classical Music Collaboration Lancashire County Council Museums Service Towneley Hall, Burnley Winter Gardens, Blackpool

Sustainable Tourism Award* Browsholme Hall, Clitheroe Holiday Inn Lancaster Lancaster House Hotel Ribby Hall Village, Wrea Green Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool Stirk House Hotel, Gisburn WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, Burscough

Luxury Experience Award Breck Apartments, Poulton-le-Fylde Crow Wood Leisure, Burnley Hipping Hall, Kirkby Lonsdale Northcote, Langho

Best Visitor Experience of the Year Award* Atlas Sailing, Fleetwood Bay Sea School, Morecambe Blackpool Ghost Walks Canoe and Boat Safari at WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, Burscough St Annes Beach Huts World War One events at Lancashire Museums

Customer Service Award Ashton Hall, Lancaster Blackburn Visitor Centre Lancaster & Morecambe Visitor Information Centre Team Mode Hotel, Lytham St Annes Premier Inn Preston South Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool Toast Cafe Bar and Grill, Blackpool Visit Garstang Tourist Information Centre

New Business Award Breck Apartments, Poulton-le-Fylde Brickhouse Farm Cottages, Hambleton Farmers Arms, Great Eccleston The Fenwick, Lancaster Ireby Green Farm, Preston Samlesbury Hotel, Preston Stanley Villa Farm Camping, Preston

Best for Groups Award Boundary Mill Stores, Colne Ena Mill, Various locations Leighton Hall, Carnforth Rock and River Outdoor Pursuits, Various locations