Portsmouth Historic Dockyard won a gold award for attracting visitors

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard jointly won the large tourism attraction category with Beamish North of England Open Air Museum in County Durham.

The Duchess of Northumberland won a special outstanding contribution to tourism award for her Alnwick garden.

Gallery assistant Ann Stamper, 71, won the outstanding customer service award.

Mrs Stamper, a former headmistress, has worked at the National Maritime Museum for more than three years and "regularly goes beyond day-to-day duties as a gallery assistant".

"She enthrals children with her lively talks on Lord Nelson and his battles," the judges said.

TOURISM AWARDS B&B: Holly Lodge, Norfolk Business tourism: Cotswold Conference and Training Centre, Worcestershire Caravan holiday park: Shardaroba Caravan Park, Nottinghamshire Hotel: The Samling, Cumbria Large visitor attraction: Portsmouth Historic Dockyard/Beamish North of England Open Air Museum, County Durham Outstanding customer service: Ann Stamper, National Maritime Museum Small visitor attraction: Holkham Hall, Norfolk Self-catering holiday: The Olde Rectory, Worcestershire Tourist information centre: Chesterfield , Derbyshire Tourism website: Lyth Hill House, Shropshire Outstanding contribution to tourism: Duchess of Northumberland

It was the first time a joint award had been given for the large visitor-attraction - more than 100,000 visitors.

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is home to Nelson's HMS Victory, as well as HMS Warrior and the Mary Rose, while Beamish North of England Open Air Museum, "vividly recreates life in the North of England in the early 1800s and 1900s".

The outstanding contribution to tourism award went to the Duchess of Northumberland for her work in the development of the 40-acre Alnwick Garden project in Northumberland.

Award organisers Visit Britain said the acknowledgement of excellence should encourage people to enjoy England, particularly by celebrating St George's Day on 23 April.

Director general of award sponsors The Caravan Club, Trevor Watson, said "England has so much to be proud of and we would encourage everyone to get out there and enjoy the wealth of experiences that it has to offer."

The awards, going for 16 years, are known as "Oscars" in the tourism industry.

The hotel of the year award went to The Samling, set in 67 acres of woodland, fields and gardens in Windermere, Cumbria with a Michelin-starred restaurant.

Awards judge Mr Watson said the owners "offer understated hospitality creating a warm, intimate atmosphere at the hotel. The Samling is an excellent hotel for that special occasion."