The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven has been named Small Visitor Attraction of the Year at the prestigious Cumbria Tourism Awards, leading a strong showing for businesses and attractions across Cumberland.
The highly anticipated awards took place on Wednesday 8 July at the Castle Green Hotel in Kendal, bringing together 260 of Cumbria’s leading tourism businesses, industry professionals and supporters. The annual awards celebrate excellence across the visitor economy, recognising organisations that deliver outstanding experiences and set the benchmark for quality, innovation and customer service.
Alongside The Beacon Museum’s success, Cumberland Council was proud to sponsor the Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award, recognising businesses and organisations that are helping to make Cumbria a welcoming destination for all visitors. The award was won by Theatre by the Lake in Keswick.
Cumberland was also strongly represented across the winner’s list, with The Edge Whitehaven named New Tourism Business of the Year, Muncaster Castle Tour taking the Experience of the Year Award, Pentonbridge Inn near Carlisle winning the Taste of Cumbria Fine Dining Award, and Netherby Hall near Carlisle receiving the Regenerative Tourism Award.
Cllr Anne Quilter, Cumberland Council’s Executive Member for Vibrant and Healthy Places, said:
“The Beacon Museum’s success in winning Small Visitor Attraction of the Year is a fantastic achievement and a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved. The museum plays an important role in showcasing Whitehaven’s rich heritage and providing memorable experiences for residents and visitors alike.
“We were also proud to sponsor the Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award, won by Theatre by the Lake, and I’d like to congratulate all of the Cumberland businesses recognised at this year’s awards. Their success highlights the strength of our visitor economy and the exceptional experiences on offer across Cumberland.”
Heather Holmes, Customer and Visitor Experience Manager at the Beacon, added:
“Winning Small Visitor Attraction of the Year is an incredibly proud moment for us all at The Beacon Museum. This award belongs to the whole team, whose passion and commitment create a fantastic experience for every visitor. We’re proud to showcase Whitehaven’s remarkable heritage and look forward to welcoming even more people to discover everything The Beacon has to offer.”
Many of the award winners will now go on to represent Cumbria at the prestigious VisitEngland Awards for Excellence in 2027, providing an opportunity to showcase the county’s tourism offer on the national stage.
