Bed and Breakfast of the Year

Clow Beck House
Monk End Farm, Croft-on-Tees, Darlington DL22 2SW
Situated just two miles from the heart of Darlington in beautiful open countryside, this B&B run by Heather and David Armstrong has 13 luxurious en-suite rooms, all individually decorated with antiques. Service is second to none and their guiding principle is 'nothing is too much trouble'. Guests can enjoy excellent home-grown food served in a magnificent beamed dining-room. The breakfast menu is extensive and includes home-made bread and preserves and free-range eggs. Guests with disabilities are also well catered-for and one of the bedrooms has been fully adapted to be wheelchair accessible. 
Judges' comment
'This has everything, the views, the warm welcome, memorable service and great food. And all at a competitive price. They really care about their guests.'

Caravan Holiday Park of the Year

Kelling Heath Holiday Park
Weyborne, Holt, Norfolk NR25 7HW
Set amongst 250 acres of woodland and heather in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this caravan park offers a truly memorable experience to all its customers. Visitors can either stay in a luxurious holiday home with central heating, shower room and well-equipped kitchen, or bring their own caravan or tent and use the high quality on-site facilities. The park has an excellent leisure club with a pool and gym, and guests can enjoy the sympathetically-managed natural environment with nature trails, cycle routes and night walks to see the bats and the stars.
Judges' comment
'They are leading, not following, and listening to their customers as they go. Their environmental initiatives are first-rate.'

Hotel of the Year (under 60 bedrooms)

Matfen Hall Hotel
Matfen, Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland NE20 0RH
Matfen Hall is a magnificent country house hotel set in the heart of some of Northumberland's most picturesque countryside. This regency mansion has been sympathetically restored by Sir Hugh and Lady Blackett and most of its original features remain intact. Each of the 30 bedrooms combines the most up-to-date facilities with traditional elegance, and the premier and executive rooms are particularly spacious with their own dining areas and luxury bathrooms. Guests can relax in the opulent drawing-room or dine in the fine Library Restaurant, which serves contemporary English cuisine using local produce. The hotel also has its own golf course.
Judges' comment
'A great idea, brilliantly executed, providing an outstanding experience for guests. This hotel showcases the best of English tradition.'

Hotel of the Year (over 50 bedrooms)

Island Hotel
Tresco, Isles of Scilly, Cornwall TR24 0PU
This hotel is set on the unspoilt island of Tresco and guests, who arrive either by boat or helicopter, are met by a tractor-drawn open bus and greeted personally by the general manager. The hotel itself is right on the beach and has sea views across the Atlantic. Each of the bedrooms is beautifully decorated and service at the hotel is outstanding. There is a particularly high ratio of staff to guests and all staff are highly trained in customer care. There is an excellent restaurant where local fish is a speciality.
Judges' comment
'A viable English beach hotel providing an experience that surpasses all expectations. Ideal for all the family.'

Marketing in Tourism Award

Beaulieu National Motor Museum
John Montagu Building, Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, Hampshire SO42 7ZN
Beaulieu National Motor Museum wanted to update its image and revitalise visitor numbers, which fell steadily in the 1990s. It staged a major new exhibition featuring James Bond cars, linking the Beaulieu brand to the modern image and power of the Bond brand. Through a combination of new and existing media channels, including TV and the Internet, visitor numbers jumped nearly 15% to over 344,000 during 2001. The campaign has resulted in a turnaround in the fortunes of Beaulieu and has helped modernise the museum's image.
Judges' comment
'A brilliant piece of lateral thinking to rejuvenate a classic business. An outstanding example of how innovative marketing can help kick-start a business. Excellent partnership of Bond and Beaulieu.'

Most Improved Resort of the Year

Scarborough
North Yorkshire
Over the last few years, Scarborough has undergone a renaissance as a seaside resort thanks to a huge range of initiatives that have improved every aspect of the town for visitors. These include improving the quality of accommodation by introducing an Inspected Only 'policy' for all hotels, B&Bs and self-catering accommodation in the town. The seafront has also been greatly improved - shop fronts have been restored, trees planted and new lighting installed, signage and local information has been updated and a new Tourist Information Centre opened on the seafront. There are also plans to refurbish the town's historic Peasholm Park.
Judges' comments
'It is leading the way and it is the way to go. An example to follow.'

People Award for Outstanding Customer Service
Stephen Hallam
Managing Director, Dickinson & Morris 'Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe and The Sausage Shop', 8-10 Nottingham St, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire LE13 1NW
Nominated by David Friesner, Loughborough, Leics: 'Stephen works strategically at county and regional level to further tourism's interests ... Stephen has an excess of energy and enthusiasm that inspires those around him. His capability is outstanding, customer awareness and service exemplary ... He manages to "front and lead his operation" personally, meeting customers and demonstrating the craft of pie-making. He works alongside his team encouraging their very best efforts. He is an excellent role model - a superb ambassador for the industry.'
Judges' comments
'A traditional piece of England marketed very well by giving excellent customer service. All shops and services in England are part of tourism - Stephen Hallam highlights the great diversity of our industry.'

Self-Catering Holiday of the Year

Underscar
Fisherbeck Mill, Old Lake Road, Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 0DH
Underscar offers luxury self-catering holiday homes situated on the picturesque slopes of Skiddaw, just outside Keswick. These Five Star self-catering and leisure properties are managed by the Jackson family. There are 25 stylish and modern self-catering units sleeping from 2-4 up to 6-8 people. Opened in 2000, Underscar has excellent conservation and energy-saving practices in place and is involved in local conservation projects, including 'Our man at the top' visitor payback scheme to help fund a person to maintain footpaths in the area. 
Judges' comment
'A beacon of quality that could tempt people to turn their backs on Portugal! A state-of-the-art property offering luxurious accommodations, excellent facilities and a passionate commitment to the environment.' 

Tourist Information Centre of the Year

Liverpool Tourist Information Centre
Queen Square Centre, Roe St, Liverpool, Merseyside L1 1RG
Albert Dock Tourist Information Centre
Atlantic Pavilion, Albert Dock, Liverpool L3 4AE
Liverpool Queen Square is situated in the city centre near coach, bus stations and the main line railway station. The Albert Dock Tourist Information Centre is located at the waterfront within the Albert Dock complex. Together, they serve over 700,000 visitors a year. Funded by Mersey Tourism and other local organisations, they are an excellent example of a public-private partnership. They aim to provide an unrivalled service by investing heavily in staff training and using new technology such as text messaging and email to boost business to the city. 
Judges' comment
'A buzzy, energetic and up-to-date TIC. They are pro-active, constantly trying out new ideas and using the latest technology. Staff development and training is excellent.'

Visitor Attraction of the Year (over 100,000 visitors)

Science Museum
Exhibition Road, London SW7 2DD
The Science Museum dates back to around 1851 and aims to raise awareness of developments in science, medicine and technology. The museum is constantly updating its galleries and developing innovative exhibitions. In July 2000, the museum opened its Wellcome Wing - the world's leading centre for the presentation of contemporary science and technology to the public. It houses six cutting-edge exhibitions, a Virtual Voyages simulator ride and an IMAX cinema. The museum has colour-coded floors, an excellent team of 'explainers' and touch-screen terminals, providing visitors with a wealth of information. 
Judges' comment
'The Science Museum is everything a great tourist attraction should be - there is something that appeals to all ages. Excellent new developements have helped the museum keep its edge.'

Visitor Attraction of the Year (under 100,000 visitors)

The World of Glass
Chalon Way East, St Helens, Merseyside WA10 1BX
This excellent industrial heritage attraction, based in a brand new visitor centre on the site of an old Pilkington glassworks, uses each of the five senses to bring the subject of glass to life. Visitors can experience live glass-blowing demonstrations, watch a state-of-the-art audio-visual show exploring the past, present and future of glass and visit a Victorian glass-maker's parlour. The jewel in the crown of the World of Glass is the Grade II listed Jubilee Cone Building, which houses the oldest remains of the a glass-making furnace in Europe. The whole visitor experience from interpretation to catering, is outstanding and there is an excellent shop selling a range of glassware.
Judges' comment
'A terrific example of turning our industrial heritage into a tourist attraction. This attraction demonstrates quality in all areas.'

Short Break Destination of the Year

Northumbria
Northumbria is the most northerly part of England, comprising Northumberland and Durham, Tyne and Wear and the Tees Valley. The region is bordered by the Pennines to the west and to the east by the sea. Northumbria is famous for its castles and golden beaches, as well as its open moorland and green farming country. It is one of the few English regions that have large expanses of untouched countryside such as the Northumberland National Park and the North Pennines Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty. In contrast, Northumbria also has the lively cities of Newcastle, Darlington, Middlesbrough and Sunderland which offer visitors the best choice of shopping and eating out in the North. There are also historic and cultural attractions such as Sunderland's National Glass Centre, medieval Durham, whose castle and cathedral form a World Heritage Site, and Bamburgh Castle - often described as the finest castle in England. 
Judges' comment
'The diversity of scenery and variety of attractions makes this underrated region a deserving winner. Northumbria has wild and wonderful countryside and offers a fantastic English experience. It has an enticing combination of heritage, romantic castles and rugged coastline. It just goes to show what riches there are all over England.'