The Blakeney Hotel is defending its crown in the Best Hotel award.

Norfolk’s tourism gems have been whittled down to the best our county has to offer ahead of the seventh annual EDP Tourism Awards ceremony next month.

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Tourist attractions from around the county are competing across 12 categories for a variety of prestigious titles.

The awards provide an opportunity to celebrate the success of tourism in Norfolk and recognise those who have achieved the very highest standards in the industry.

Peter Waters, editor of the EDP, was one of the judges handed the tough task of picking the best of what Norfolk has to offer.

He said: “The importance of tourism and hospitality to the local economy has never been greater and the quality of our finalists shows that we have a first-rate offering.

“From the Broads to the Brecks, from bucket and spade breaks to genteel north Norfolk and the shopping, culture and heritage of our jewel in the crown city, we have something for everyone, and that’s very much reflected in the EDP Tourism Awards for 2011.

“The competition has been fierce, with so many outstanding businesses to choose from, and that shows the vibrancy of a local industry that we must never take for granted.”

Vying for the Best Visitor Attraction award with more than 50,000 annual visitors are children’s adventure park BeWILDerwood near Hoveton, Dinosaur Adventure in Lenwade and Norwich Cathedral.

While the same award for attractions with under 50,000 annual visitors will be won by one of Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden near South Walsham, Lowestoft Maritime Museum or Trues Yard Fisherfolk Museum in King’s Lynn.

The Best Bed and Breakfast award sees Swanton Morley’s Carricks at Castle Farm protecting its 2010 crown from Dairy Barns in Hickling and Heronby in Belaugh.

The reigning champion is also a finalist for the Best Caravan and Holiday Park award. Waveney River Centre, near Beccles, is in the final three alongside Clippesby Hall near Fleggburgh and Deer’s Glade Caravan and Camping Park in Hanworth.

The hotly-contested Best Hotel award finalists are Beechwood Hotel in North Walsham, Heacham Manor and last year’s winner, The Blakeney Hotel.

Plumtree Cottage at Eastview Farm, Ashmanhaugh, is hoping to retain its Best Self Catering Establishment award but faces stiff competition from Cape Cottage at Lower Wood Farm in Mautby and Partridge Barn at Wheatacre Hall, near Oulton Broad.

The Broads Authority, North Norfolk and King’s Lynn are competing for the Best Visitor Information award and Kelling Heath Holiday Park, Norfolk Broads Direct and Waveney River Centre are in the running for the Sustainable Tourism award.

Waveney River Centre – a triple winner last year – is also in the running for the Best Broads Holiday Experience award, up against Wroxham Barns and Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden.

The finalists for the Customer Care award are Broadland Holiday Village at Oulton Broad, Potters Leisure Resort and The Blakeney Hotel.

The Business Impact award will go to Norwich City Football Club, Norwich Theatre Royal or Thursford Christmas Spectacular and the Best Marketing Initiative will be won 
by Merrivale Model Village, North Norfolk Railway or Wroxham 
Barns.

Gary Attfield, relationship director for the EDP’s parent company, Archant Norfolk, has helped organise the event.

He added: “You only have to look at the quantity and the calibre of entries this year to see how valued the EDP Tourism Awards have become to the industry.

“The judges will have their toughest task yet to decide between such top quality candidates.”

The awards will be presented to winners at a black tie celebration dinner on Friday, November 18, at Holiday Inn Norwich North, hosted by BBC presenter Carol Bundock.

david.freezer@archant.co.uk