White Rose winners announced

Lizzie Jones, the widow of rugby league star, Danny Jones, opened the spectacular show with a stunning rendition of Hallelujah before champions Yorkshire County Cricket Club, the Leeds Rhinos, and World Championship silver medalist Nile Wilson took to the stage to show off their winning trophies and medals.

Emmerdale stars and the original Calendar Girls were also joined by over 1,000 guests at the first direct arena Leeds.

Hosted by Welcome to Yorkshire, the awards - the biggest of their kind in the UK - saw almost 100 businesses go head-to-head across 16 categories, from Large Visitor Attraction of the Year, to Yorkshire Restaurant of the Year.

Sir Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “We have had an incredible night celebrating the very best in Yorkshire tourism. A very special thank you must go to all our winners for their achievement. Winning a White Rose Award is a prestigious seal of approval, which helps show customers the high standards that each winner displays every day. Our judging panel is completely independent, so to win one means a business has truly gone above and beyond.”

Chairman of the independent panel of judges, Professor Colin Mellors, added:  “Each year the task of selecting winners, and those we wish to commend, gets tougher.  The sheer range of what is on offer is remarkable and the quality of hospitality truly outstanding. 

“All those shortlisted can feel huge pride in making it this far.  Their work is at the heart of our leading tourism sector and underpins the broader visitor economy that is so important to Yorkshire.  The White Rose Awards are an important way to celebrate and acknowledge their many achievements.”

WINNERS:

Small Visitor Attraction - Burton Agnes Hall and Gardens, Driffield.

Large Visitor Attraction - The Forbidden Corner, Leyburn

Taste of Yorkshire Award - Lottie Shaw’s Bakery, Leeds

Self-Catering, Cruisers and Serviced Apartments Award - Dovecote Barns, York

Yorkshire Pub - Shibden Mill Inn, Halifax

Yorkshire Restaurant - The Hare Restaurant, Scawton

Tourism Event - The Best Race in the World, The Juddmonte International, York

Caravan Holiday Park & Holiday Village Award - Humble Bee Farm, Scarborough

Bed & Breakfast/Guest Accommodation - Low Mill Guest House, Bainbridge

Large Hotel - The Black Swan Hotel, Helmsley

Small Hotel/Townhouse - Yorebridge House, Bainbridge

Business Tourism Award - The Coniston Hotel & Country Estate, Skipton

Restaurant with Rooms - The Cleveland Tontine, Northallerton

Visitor Information Award - Thirsk Tourist Information, Thirsk

Yorkshire Arts & Culture Award - Hull Truck Theatre, Hull

Outstanding Customer Service Award - Wentbridge House Hotel, Pontefract

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Taste of Yorkshire: Tipple Tails at Wadsley Hall Farm Kitchen

Small Attraction of the Year: Yorkshire Trike Tours

Large Attraction of the Year: Yorkshire Wildlife Park

Self Catering, Cruisers & Serviced Apartments Award: Shire Cruisers

Tourism Event of the Year: The Freedom Festival, Hull

Small Hotel/Townhouse: Beverley Tickton Grange Hotel

Business Tourism Award: Bedern Hall, York

Arts & Culture Award: Alhambra Theatre, Bradford

The awards were backed by leading businesses including The HQ Collection (HQ Hospitality & Qdos Entertainment), Yorkshire Post, Carat, Beaver Furniture, Bluefin Insurance, The HQ Collection (HQ Hospitality & Qdos Entertainment), British Gas, Biffa, Yorkshire Water, House of Townend , Yorkshire Beer and Pub Association, eviivo, BBC Yorkshire, Colour Heroes, Irwin Mitchell Solicitors, Ingrid Flute’s Yorkshire Holiday Cottages and Barclays.