Museum in the running for national award

Beamish Museum has been shortlisted for a presigious national award.
Beamish Museum shortlisted for national award.Beamish Museum shortlisted for national award.
Beamish Museum shortlisted for national award.

The open air museum, near Chester-le-Street, is one of three places across the country in the finals of the Family-Friendly Attraction of the Year category of VisitEngland's Awards for Excellence 2017.

The most prestigious accolades in English tourism, the awards, now in their 28th year, recognise and congratulate those businesses and individuals from across England who champion the very best practice and excellence in customer service.

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Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on Monday, April 24 at the Hilton Waldorf, London.

VisitEngland Chief Executive Sally Balcombe said: “The awards shine a spotlight on an industry driven by the highest-calibre people and organisations who deliver unforgettable experiences for visitors, raising the profile of England as a world-class destination and driving the economic benefits of tourism across the regions.

"Competition this year was particularly fierce, and the 67 finalists were selected from almost 600 applications spread across 22 categories."

This year also saw the highest number of applications ever submitted for the awards, which range from Inclusive Tourism to Visitor Information Provider of the Year and three family friendly awards, Accommodation, Attraction and Food & Drink Business of the Year.

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Applications were received from businesses including hotels, B&Bs, glamping operators, restaurants, food and drink producers, pubs, museums and conference centres.

VisitEngland has named 2017 the ‘Year of Literary Heroes’ in recognition of this year’s milestone literary events including the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s death, the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter and 75 years of The Famous Five.