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Cumbria Tourism Awards 2026

In association with SP Electricity North West

 

The 2026 Cumbria Tourism Awards competition is open to entries
until 5 pm on Friday 20th February 2026

 

Enter the 2026 Cumbria Tourism Awards for the chance to be part of this year of celebrations and join us at our Awards ceremony and celebration in July.  Entries are invited from tourism businesses, local makers and producers and individual nominees for the Unsung Hero Award.

 

Get ready to tell us about your successes, innovations and approach to excellence in your product, customer service, welcome, marketing and sustainable practices.

 

The Cumbria Tourism Awards celebrate and recognise exceptional quality across our wide range of tourism businesses which drive a visitor economy worth £4.6 billion and support 43,500 full time jobs - 28% of Cumbria's total employment.

 

Winners for many of the categories from the Cumbria Tourism Awards in 2026 will go on to represent the county at the Visit England Awards for Excellence in 2027.  (Wedding Venue of the Year and the Makers and Producers Award are run at a Cumbria level only.  The overall winner of the two Taste of Cumbria Award categories will also progress to the national competition.)

 

There are 17 award categories which celebrate the huge range and diversity of Cumbria’s tourism industry.

Additional information, terms and conditions, costs for judging visits and hints and tips for completing your entry can be found at www.cumbriaawards.co.uk.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Make sure you’ve read the Terms and Conditions for entry which include agreeing to pay the judging fees which apply should you be selected as a finalist.
 

Cumbria Tourism Membership

It is free to apply to all the competition categories.  However, if selected as a finalist and you are not a current member of Cumbria Tourism, you will be required to join to receive the promotional advantages of being a finalist and potential winner, as well as all the benefits of becoming part of our organisation. This will be a special introductory reduced membership rate of £200 + VAT for 12 months subscription (normally the lowest rate £403 + VAT).

 

SELECTED AS A FINALIST?  JUDGING COSTS APPLY

Finalists are required to pay for a mystery shopping visit or judging visit of £175 per category (£100 for the Sheila Hensman Unsung Hero Award) and also agree to reimburse the expenses occurred during a mystery shop visit. 


All entries must be completed on the VisitEngland online entry system, OpenWater, by following the individual link for each category.  No other entries will be accepted.

The closing date for entries is 5 pm on Friday 20th February 2026. 

To apply today, select a category below to submit an application:

 

Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award
sponsored by Cumberland Council
 

B&B and Guest House of the Year Award
sponsored by Harrison Drury

Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year 
sponsored by Burnetts

Regenerative Tourism Award 
sponsored by Westmorland & Furness Council

Experience of the Year
sponsored by Reeds

Large Hotel of the Year 
sponsored by Christie & Co

Small Hotel of the Year 
sponsored by Colliers

Makers and Producers Award
sponsorship opportunity available

New Tourism Business Award 
sponsored by Thomson Hayton Winkley

Pub of the Year
sponsored by Napthens

Self Catering Accommodation of the Year
sponsorship opportunity available

Taste of Cumbria - Fine Dining Award 
sponsored by Lamont Pridmore
 

Taste of Cumbria - Casual Dining Award
sponsored by Dodd & Co
 

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year 
sponsorship opportunity available

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year 
sponsorship opportunity available

The Sheila Hensman Unsung Hero Award

Wedding Venue of the Year
sponsored by H&H Insurance Brokers

 

 

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