THERE was a strong Cumbrian contingent coming away with awards at VisitEngland’s Awards for Excellence, held at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.

The Sun Inn in Kirkby Lonsdale, Morecambe Bay Partnership’s Bay Cycle Way and Castlerigg Hall Caravan and Camping Park in Keswick secured a Highly Commended awards in the categories of Dog Friendly Business of the Year, Tourism Experience of the Year and the Holiday Park/Holiday Village of the Year.

The national accolades were handed out as part of English Tourism Week.

With a history stretching back over 25 years, VisitEngland’s Awards for Excellence are firmly established as the highest accolade in English tourism.

They recognise businesses that incorporate best practice, demonstrate excellence in customer service and celebrate the very best in quality and innovation.

This year, VisitEngland received more than 400 applications from across the country.

Lucy Fuller, co-owner of the Sun Inn, said: “It was a real privilege to receive this accolade from the national tourist board. As a team, it’s great to have the recognition that we are providing a really special experience for our guests, and in particular, a warm Cumbrian welcome for our four-legged visitors! We can now build on this to promote and build the business even further.”

The Bay Cycle Way, the creation of local charity Morecambe Bay Partnership, runs along the coastline of Morecambe Bay, in south Cumbria and north Lancashire.

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Susannah Bleakley, from the partnership, said “A huge amount of effort went into its creation and we’d like to thank everyone involved for helping to make it possible. The new route has been incredibly well received, not just by local communities but by people from all over the country who are travelling to Morecambe Bay to test it out.

"That they enjoy it so much is a testament to the warm welcome that the Cumbrian and Lancashire communities and businesses around the Bay gives to their visitors.”

David Jackson, owner of Castlerigg Hall Caravan and Camping Park said: “It is such a fantastic team achievement for all who have worked so hard and contributed so much to making Castlerigg Hall an award winning Caravan and Camping Park and an excellent boost for the season ahead.”