Double success for Harrogate garden at tourism awards

The White Rose Awards, organised by tourism agency Welcome to Yorkshire, recognised the region's top businesses and attractions at a ceremony in Harrogate.

The Walled Garden at Scampston in Malton, North Yorkshire, was victorious in the Small Visitor Attraction of the Year award, sponsored by the Yorkshire Post.

RHS Harlow Carr, a garden dominated by water, stone and woodland, won both the Sustainable Tourism and Large Visitor Attraction awards.

Winners in other categories ranged from The Leopold Hotel in Sheffield to York's National Railway Museum and Hull aquarium The Deep to Malton Tourist Information Centre.

Guest presenters included TV news presenter Christa Ackroyd and impressionist Kevin Connelly, who entertained the 1,000-strong audience at the Yorkshire Event Centre in Harrogate.

Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: "Well done to everyone shortlisted for the awards – the judges had a particularly tough time choosing this year due to the high calibre of entries.

There were 90 finalists competing for 16 prizes last night. Other winners included 17 Burgate, a B&B in Pickering, The Feversham Arms Hotel & Verbena Spa in Helmsley, North Yorkshire, Silversmiths Restaurant in Sheffield and The Met Hotel in Leeds.

They were joined by The Milestone pub in Sheffield, The Dovecote Barns eco-accommodation in Kelfield, York, Faweather Grange luxury lodges in High Eldwick on Ilkley Moor, York Maze and Sheffield International Venues.