Large Visitor Attraction of the Year

This award is presented to large visitor attractions that go the extra mile to ensure visitors have a really enjoyable time.

 

Winner

Harewood House

Harewood, Leeds

The Children are having a whale of a time on the adventure playground, Granny is enjoying a cup of tea and a slice of cake, gazing at the parterre and Capibility Brown Landscape, while Mum and Dad gaze at the Grand Master art on the State Floor of the house. Uncle John is exploring the Himalayan Garden down by the lake. All are looking forward to the open air theatre in front of the House this evening.

Home to the Queen's cousin, the Earl of Harewood, Harewood House provides a great day out for all the family.

What not to miss: Celebrating its 250th anniversary in 2009, visitors can marvel at the Adam ceilings, Chippendale furniture, Chinese wallpaper and Old Master paintings in the House or explore the award winning gardens. Children will love the adventure playground. www.harewood.org

National finalists

Blenheim Palace

Woodstock, Oxfordshire

Blenheim Palace, situated 8 miles from Oxford, is famed as the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. The Baroque Palace is surrounded by 2,100 acres of landscaped ‘Capability’ Brown parkland and Formal Gardens. Inside the Palace, enjoy guided tours of the magnificent State Rooms and a fascinating visitor experience ‘Blenheim Palace: The Untold Story’. A new Audio Guide of the Gardens is available, and The Pleasure Gardens includes a giant Maze, Adventure Playground and Butterfly House.

Set in 2,100 acres of landscaped parklands, Blenheim Palace is a magnificent Baroque Palace which is home to the 11th Duke of Marlborough and was the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill.

What not to miss: Blenheim Palace: The Untold Story - Experience untold stories of the last 300 years at Blenheim Palace. www.blenheimpalace.com

Science Museum

Exhibition Road, London

The Science Musuem is home to more than 15,000 objects and world renowned interactive galleries providing a fascinating insight into the worlds of science, technology, medicine and industry.

The Science Museum celebrates its official Centenary in its current location in June 2009. Its origins date back over a century and a half to the Great Exhibition of 1851. The museum is constantly opening new exhibitions and galleries.

What not to miss: The latest innovation, Launchpad was opened by the PM Gordon Brown in 2007 and is all about helping to children to make sense of the way things work. www.sciencemuseum.org.uk

 

Regional winners

Kedleston Hall

Derby, Derbyshire

Sample glamorous 18th century living at Kedleston Hall - one of England's finest neo-classical mansions - and see how the property was used in Hollywood blockbuster, The Duchess.

This beautiful, elegant property in Derbyshire set in 820 acres of open parklands and landscaped gardens dates back to 1759 and is the ancestral home of the Curzon family.

What not to miss: Check out the new exhibition featuring costumes from the Academy Award nominated British film Duchess, which was shot on location at the property. www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Drayton Manor Theme Park

Near Tamworth, Staffordshire

The award-winning Drayton Manor Theme Park is home to Europe’s first and only Thomas Land™, and some of the biggest, wettest and scariest rides around.

Drayton Manor Theme Park was first opened to the public in 1950 by the co-founders, husband and wife, George and Vera Bryan, after they converted 80 acres of land into a wonderful family pleasure resort.

What not to miss: Rides based on characters from the Thomas & Friends series. www.draytonmanor.co.uk

Woburn Safari Park

Woburn Park, Bedfordshire

Woburn Safari Park

Visitors can drive through the reserves in their own vehicle and experience the thrill of seeing magnificent creatures up close from white rhinos to lions, tigers, buffalos and giraffe.

What not to miss: On the Navajo Trail, expect to see bears and wolves while visitors can keep their eyes peeled for three different monkey species in Europe’s most diverse primate reserve. www.woburnsafari.co.uk

Manchester Art Gallery

Mosley Street, Manchester

A remarkable, internationally renowned collection of fine art, decorative art and costume that is accessible to all.

Manchester Art Gallery originally opened to the public in January 1883 but closed in 1998 for a four-year, £35million expansion programme to create a world-class art gallery. 

What not to miss: The Revealing Histories: Remembering Slavery Highlights Tour is based on seven objects from the collection that are linked to Manchester's involvement in the transatlantic slave trade. www.manchestergalleries.org

Centre for Life

Times Square, Newcastle upon Tyne

For curious people of all ages.

The £70 million Centre for Life is North East England's science centre and is one of the most popular visitor attractions in the region. 

What not to miss: Over the last two years, the venue has benefited from a £4.5 million make-over which has led to new, cutting-edge exhibits telling the story of Human Life. www.life.org.uk

National Maritime Museum

Discovery Quay, Falmouth, Cornwall

Experience the sea, boats and Cornwall.

The National Maritime Museum Cornwall was created to provide a home for the National Small Boat Collection belonging to the National Maritime Museum (Greenwich) and the Cornwall Maritime Museum.

What not to miss: Attend the national touring show, 'Titanic Honour and Glory', from 6 March to 21 June 2009 for several never before seen stories and accompanying objects. www.nmmc.co.uk

 

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©2009 VisitBritain

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