A Lancashire holiday accommodation business will represent the county at a national awards ceremony.
The finalists for the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2023 have been announced and Lancashire’s only finalist this year is Brickhouse Farm Holiday Cottages in Hambleton.
The business has been nominated in the accessible and inclusive tourism award category.
Brickhouse Farm Holiday Cottages won the Lancashire Tourism Awards for accessible and inclusive tourism at the awards ceremony held in February.
Manager operations, marketing and cottages manager Kirstie Logan said:“We are over the moon to have been shortlisted.
"This shortlisting coincides with our ten-year anniversary and it honours our hard work and dedication over the past decade.
"Creating a socially inclusive environment for both our guests and locals where everyone is accepted is at the heart of everything we do here at Brickhouse and to be recognised for this on a national level is truly a great birthday gift."
The business consists of 12 cottages which are located on Brickhouse Farm in acres of countryside.
Nine cottages have their own private patio facing a fishing lake and nine have the added luxury of a private illuminated hot tub with hoists.
Each cottage is wheelchair friendly with level access throughout the ground floor and patios.
Many free disability aids are available including ceiling track hoists.
The business says accessibility "is not an afterthought" as the business owners understand what it is like to live with a disabled family member.
Kirstie said: “Accessibility forms a part of everything that we do with a natural ease, and we love to celebrate other businesses that take the time to make sure that everyone feels included and can benefit from their offerings in a comfortable and safe environment.
"Brickhouse Farm Holiday Cottages was born from personal experience of living with a disabled family member and Ian, Sue and their family have worked tirelessly to provide an environment where not only the disabled family member can enjoy but also their family, friends and care staff can feel welcome.
"They, along with the Brickhouse and Lakeside family, feel that no one should be made to feel different or ostracised and purposely ensure that this is not the case within each section of the business.
“Our gorgeous lakeside setting paired with our local wildlife illuminates the relaxed and calming environment here at Brickhouse, an environment that brings our customers back year after year. “
Rachel McQueen, chief executive of Marketing Lancashire, said the team is proud of the business for making it to the final stage of the national competition.
She said: “We are very proud to see that the amazing Brickhouse Farm Cottages is a finalist in the Visit England awards for excellence 2023.
“Winners of our Lancashire Tourism Awards 2022 for accessible and inclusive tourism, they have demonstrated once again that they have some of the most impressive accommodation and facilities for those with accessibility needs in the country.
“Their success is so deserved. Ian and Sue Rainford set about creating a place that offered inclusive and carefree holidays for all, and what we see today is outstanding in its quality, facilities and welcome.
“We wish them luck as they go forward in the competition and will continue to support them and champion them at every opportunity.”
The VisitEngland Awards for Excellence champion the very best of the country’s tourism industry celebrating quality, innovation, best practice and exceptional customer service.
The 48 finalists, announced following a rigorous judging process by handpicked tourism industry experts, now go on to compete in 16 core categories at the national awards, with the Caravan and Motorhome Club announced as headline sponsor.
The awards' categories range from ‘small visitor attraction of the year’ and ‘B&B and guest house of the year’ to ‘business events venue of the year’.
VisitEngland director Andrew Stokes said: “This impressive list of finalists demonstrates the innovation and excellence thriving across England’s tourism industry.
“The quality and number of applications also highlights the outstanding range of products and experiences on offer for both domestic and international visitors. We wish the finalists the very best of luck.”
All finalists are invited to attend the national awards ceremony, this year being held at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter on June 7, where gold, silver and bronze winners will be announced at the black tie event.
This year’s awards aligned with 16 local competitions from across England with winners automatically put forward for the national awards.
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