Two Lake District accommodation businesses have been recognized among the 2026 recipients of VisitEngland’s ROSE (Recognition of Service Excellence) Awards, highlighting customer service across a range of accommodation businesses in England.
Skelwith Fold Caravan Park in Ambleside and Mill Pool Barn in Coniston each received a 2026 ROSE Award from VisitEngland. The awards recognize accommodation providers that demonstrate a strong focus on visitor experience and customer service.
The awards were presented September 8 at The Post Barn in Newbury, Berkshire, marking the 10th year of the national recognition program. A third Lake District-area business, Hollins Farm near Silverdale, was also named among the winners.
Andrew Stokes, director at VisitEngland, told The Mail: “The VisitEngland ROSE Awards showcase the excellent accommodation available across England.
“They honor the people behind the businesses who go out of their way to provide outstanding customer service, innovative options for all tastes and budgets and a great welcome for visitors.
“Where people rest their heads is central to ensuring memorable visitor experiences, whether that’s glamping or B&B stays, to country pubs with rooms or self-catering cottages, these providers drive tourism and its benefits across communities.”
VisitEngland’s Quality Scheme assessors nominate ROSE Award recipients based on their assessment comments as well as online feedback from domestic and overseas visitors.
The program is open to a broad range of accommodation types, including hotels, guesthouses, bed-and-breakfast properties, self-catering businesses, parks, glamping sites and hostels. Businesses are eligible regardless of their star rating.
For caravan parks, glamping businesses and other outdoor hospitality operators, the awards provide an example of how guest experience can be evaluated alongside the physical accommodation itself.
Because nominations draw on assessor observations and visitor feedback, operators may benefit from paying attention not only to facilities and site presentation but also to the consistency of interactions throughout the guest journey.
This can include booking communications, arrival procedures, staff interactions, site information, problem resolution and the overall ease of a guest’s stay. For operators managing seasonal businesses, maintaining consistent service standards during periods of high occupancy can be particularly important.
VisitEngland said tourism contributes £127 billion annually to England’s economy and supports 2.1 million jobs. Recognition programs such as the ROSE Awards form part of the organization’s broader work to promote quality across the visitor economy.
The 2026 winners represent accommodation businesses across England, reflecting the range of property types that contribute to the country’s tourism sector.
For outdoor hospitality businesses, the inclusion of caravan parks and glamping sites alongside more traditional accommodation categories also illustrates the expanding range of experiences considered part of England’s visitor accommodation market.
