Brother and sister in battle to land top tourism award for their caravan parks

Rebecca Palmer-Bunting and brother Nick Palmer will go head-to-head for the title of best caravan park at the awards, which have been running for more than 20 years, organised by tourism agency Welcome to Yorkshire.

Rebecca, 33, is manager of the Robin Hood Caravan Park in Slingsby near York, while Nick, 29, manages Jasmine Park in Snainton near Scarborough.

Looking forward to the awards dinner at Doncaster Racecourse, Mr Palmer said: “I‘m sure there will be some sibling ribbing beforehand, fingers crossed that I win!

“Either way, for both of us to be nominated is something we can all be proud of.”

Mrs Palmer-Bunting added: “To have both been shortlisted is a huge honour for this family. We all help out at each of the parks so even if Jasmine Park wins I know that I’ve done my best to help.”

Both are hoping to pick up one of the prestigious awards for the first time, and Mrs Palmer-Bunting has double the chances – she and husband Damian are also shortlisted in the Outstanding Customer Service category.

Caravan parks have been in the Palmer family ever since Rebecca and Nick’s grandparents set up Crow’s Nest Caravan Park near Filey in the 1950s. Their father Ian, who owns all three businesses, said: “To have our efforts recognised by the industry as well as the guests is great.”

Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire said: “The White Rose Awards are the Oscars of the tourism industry and we have been flooded with entries. To have siblings shortlisted and competing in the finals is a tremendous feat for the family in itself.”

The caravan park category – in which the Palmers’ sites face competition from Studfold Caravan Park near Harrogate and Fasweather Grange at High Eldwick – is one of 16 this year, featuring 94 finalists.

The categories showcase the best Yorkshire’s tourism industry has to offer, from family attractions to pubs and restaurants. The awards are the largest of their kind in the country.

Entries have been judged by a panel comprising of Barbara Woroncow, the independent chair of judges, Peter Charlton, Editor of the Yorkshire Post, Elaine Lemm, food and travel writer, and Roger Bowers, former High Sheriff of West Yorkshire.

Shortlist of the best that Yorkshire has to offer

B&B/GUEST ACCOMMODATION

All Seasons Guest House, Filey; 17 Burgate, Pickering; Throapham House, near Sheffield; Moorlands Country House, Levisham; Kilham Hall Country House Accommodation, Driffield; The Angel at Hetton, Skipton

BEST TOURISM EXPERIENCE

Magna Science Adventure Centre, Rotherham; Cannon Hall Farm, Cawthorne; Frightwater Valley (Lightwater Valley Theme Park), Ripon; Harrogate Turkish Baths and Health Spa, Harrogate; HERITAGE INSPIRED, Mexborough; Stockeld Park, Wetherby

BUSINESS TOURISM

Sheffield International Venues, Sheffield; Magna Science Adventure Centre, Rotherham; Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield; Harewood House, Leeds; Weetwood Hall Conference Centre and Hotel, Leeds; Royal Armouries (International) plc, Leeds

CARAVAN HOLIDAY PARK AND HOLIDAY VILLAGE

Studfold Caravan and Camping Park, Lofthouse, Harrogate; Robin Hood Caravan & Camping Park, Slingsby, York; Jasmine Park, Snainton, Scarborough; Fasweather Grange, High Eldwick

LARGE HOTEL

Crown Spa Hotel, Scarborough; Malmaison Leeds; The Cedar Court Grand Hotel and Spa, York; Gisborough Hall, Guisborough; Rudding Park, Follifoot, Harrogate; De Vere Oulton Hall, Leeds; Leopold Hotel, Sheffield

LARGE VISITOR ATTRACTION

The Yorkshire Museum (York Museums Trust), York; Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield; Newby Hall & Gardens, Ripon; Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Doncaster; Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, Keighley; JORVIK Viking Centre, York

OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE

Dubrovnik Hotel, Bradford; Malmaison Leeds; Robin Hood Caravan and Camping Park, Slingsby, York; Residence 6*, Leeds; Hotel Chocolat, York; Swinton Park, Masham

YORKSHIRE PUB OF THE YEAR

The Shibden Mill Inn, Halifax; The Crown Inn, Great Ouseburn, York; The Copper Horse, Seamer, Scarborough; The Milestone, Sheffield; The House of the Trembling Madness, York; The Blue Bell Inn, Weaverthorpe

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR

The Star @ Sancton, Market Weighton; The Black Swan at Oldstead, Coxwold near Helmsley; Silversmiths Restaurant, Sheffield; Boars Nest, Hull; Melton’s, York

SELF-CATERING, CRUISERS AND SERVICED APARTMENTS

The Old Vicarage, Marrick, Richmond; Crow Hill Country House Estate, Marsden, Huddersfield; Crowberry Cottage, Bishop Burton; The Sands Seafront Apartments, Scarborough; Estate Escapes, Hotham; The Chambers, Leeds; Royal Parade Apartments, Harrogate

SMALL HOTEL/TOWN HOUSE

The Wensleydale Heifer, West Witton, Leyburn; Hotel du Vin & Bistro York; Wentbridge House Hotel, Pontefract; White Swan Inn, Pickering; The Devonshire Arms Country House and Spa, Skipton; Swinton Park, Masham

SMALL VISITOR ATTRACTION

East Riddlesden Hall, National Trust Historic House, Gardens Shop and Tearoom, Riddlesden, Keighley; Yorkshire Lavender, Terrington, York; Creepy Crawlies Adventure Park, York; The Civic (Barnsley Civic Enterprise Ltd.), Barnsley; Quilt Museum and Gallery, York; Barley Hall, York

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

Crown Spa Hotel, Scarborough; The Leeway, Whitby; The Devonshire Arms Country Hotel & Spa, Skipton; Royal Armouries (International) plc, Leeds; Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal, Ripon

TASTE OF YORKSHIRE

Hinchcliffe’s Farm, Netherton, Huddersfield; Fodder, Harrogate; Cedarbarn Farm Shop & Cafe, Pickering; CGC Event Caterers, Leeds; The Balloon Tree Farm Shop & Cafe, Gate Helmsley, York; Millers Tea Room and Farm Shop, Raywell, East Yorkshire

TOURISM EVENT

York Maze, York; Bingley Music Live (City of Bradford Council), Bingley; Jorvik, York; Freedom Festival, Hull; York Racecourse; Larkin 25 Project, Hull

VISITOR INFORMATION

Sutton Bank TIC, Thirsk; Haworth Visitor Information Centre; Hull Tourist Information Centre; Humber Bridge Tourist Information Centre; Pickering Tourist Information Centre; Harrogate Tourist Information Centre