lake district named best uk holiday destination 2008...

The Lake District has won a major tourism honour by being named the best holiday destination in the UK at a national awards ceremony. The coveted award, which every destination in the country strives to win, was announced at the prestigious British Travel Awards 2008 held in London. Crucially, the Lake District won the all important public vote. Thousands named the area as the best place in the UK to take a holiday. London took the silver award and Cornwall was third.

Although just 40 miles long and 33 miles across, The Lake District is home to some of the most stunning countryside in the world. It is home to all of England's highest mountains and longest lakes as well as award-winning accommodation, place to eat and visit.

Ian Stephens, Chief Executive of Cumbria Tourism, said: "This is the most significant award the Lake District has won in recent years. The fact we have been named by the public and featured at the UK's leading travel awards is particularly impressive and an important message to convey to visitors for 2009." The British Travel awards are the largest travel awards programme in the UK and an easily recognisable benchmark for excellence when it comes to finding out the best in the business. The event consists of the UK's leading professionals from the travel industry and there are over 60 categories. Sponsors of the evening were Lloyds TSB Cardnet.

Lorraine Barnes Burton, CEO of The British Travel Awards commented: "The consumer voters for these awards are made up of a large cross section of the UK's travelling public. Consumers are also asked to support their votes, and the compactness of what's on offer in The Lake District, the landscape and the beauty of the area clearly played an important part when choosing their favourite UK Destination."

The win comes just a few days after the rugged valley of Borrowdale near Keswick was named runner-up in the public vote to find the National Trust's Best View in Britain.

Tourism is vital to Cumbria as it brings in £1.14 billion to the economy and supports over 36,000 jobs.