Among the judges were Jeremy Musson, a regular contributor to Country Life, in an event organised by the publishers of the Hudson’s Historic Houses & Gardens guide.
Some of the winners were well-known places – Alwnick Castle, for example, known to a generation as Hogwarts thanks to its starring role in the film adaptations of JK Rowling's books, taking the prize for 'Best Family Day Out'.
But there were surprises as well. Blenheim Palace, pictured above, was commended in the 'Contribution to Heritage' category, but pipped to the title by a collaboration between English Heritage and Google to bring online 2,000 little-seen objects.
Here the winners in the ten main categories:
Best Family Day Out – Alnwick Castle, Northumberland
Judges' verdict: 'A family visit to Alnwick Castle promises a true cornucopia of entertainment.'
Commended: Llanfaiach Fawr Manor, South Wales
Best Place to Eat – Castle Howard, North Yorkshire
Judges' verdict: 'Castle Howard’s special Afternoon Tea is reason enough to visit Sir John Vanbrugh’s baroque masterpiece.'
Commended: Stansted Park, Hampshire
Best Shopping Experience – The Queen’s Gallery, London
Judges' verdict: 'The shop at the Queen’s Gallery manages to cope with large visitor numbers, communicate the exceptional collection of works of art in the Royal Collection and maintain an air of prestige in exemplary style.'
Best Place to Stay – The Victoria at Holkham, Norfolk
Judges' verdict: 'The Victoria Inn’s location couldn’t be better; less than a mile from England’s best beach, views over Holkham National Nature Reserve and with brilliant access to Holkham Hall.'
Commended: Head Gardeners’ Cottage, Floors Castle, Borders
Best Event/Exhibition – The International Autojumble at Beaulieu, Hampshire
Judges' verdict: 'Loyal exhibitors love it, look forward to it and often arrange their diaries around it.'
Commended: Whitby Abbey, North Yorkshire; Houghton Hall, Norfolk
Best Wedding Venue – Myres Castle, Fife
Judges' verdict: 'Myres Castle aims to combine impeccable service with the relaxed feeling of staying with friends.'
Commended: Hedsor House, Buckinghamshire
Best Contribution to Heritage – English Heritage and Google Arts & Culture
Judges' verdict: 'A ground-breaking collaboration... free, instant access to treasures not normally available to view, including Frank Wilkins’ 1820 painting of the Battle of Hastings or a 360° curator-led tour of Osbourne House.'
Commended: Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire; Special Recognition: Portchester Castle, Hampshire
Best Hidden Gem – The Charterhouse, London
Judges' verdict: 'The survival and preservation of so much history - all just moments from Smithfield Market – is extraordinary, and a visit is truly fascinating.'
Commended: Bridge End Gardens, Suffolk
Best Loos – Hampton Court Palace, Richmond
Judges' verdict: 'Taking a fun approach, visitors have the chance to keep learning about Henry and his wives during time spent in the loo. Specially designed graphics reveal Tudor beauty tips and silhouette you in costume in the mirror in a unique experience.'
12 wonderful things to do in 2018 which showcase the very best of Britain
If you're looking to make more of life in Britain over the next 12 months, Country Life's suggestions are here
Things to do: Music in the gardens, the buildings of the Weald & Downland and a circus at the cathedral
Keep your diary up-to-date with our selection of unmissable events and things to do in the next few weeks.
Things we never knew you could do with garlic... from jam to vodka
Leslie Geddes-Brown has discovered all manner of things to do with garlic.
How to make chocolate-and-orange upside-down tea cake, with orange whipped cream
So much more than marmalade – our kitchen garden cook Melanie Johnson finds delicious things to do with oranges.
-
The real Bear Grylls: Country Life Quiz of the Day, July 2, 2025Britain's longest pier is among the highlights of Wednesday's Quiz of the Day.
-
What do 19th century rowers, Queen Victoria and Giorgio Armani all have in common? They helped to popularise the world's most versatile jacket — the blazerEveryone from royalty to rappers seems to have one in their wardrobe. Harry Pearson lists the merits of the blazer, a true sartorial team player.
-
Beyond Stonehenge: The ancient moorland megaliths and grand stone rings that you can enjoy without the tourist hordesWith their potent blend of wild looks and mystery, Britain’s ancient sites have an enduring magnetism — and there are far more of them than you might imagine.
-
40 miles of racket strings, 55,000 balls and 2.5 million strawberries: Wimbledon by the numbersHow many strawberries are consumed, how many petunias purchased and just how much racket string is required at the world’s oldest tennis championships? Lotte Brundle serves up the numbers.
-
Chatsworth's winning £4 million Lottery ticket means it can restore beloved water featureThe Chatsworth House Trust will use the money from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to restore their Cascade — beloved by Alan Titchmarsh.
-
Hope from the ashes: This new generation of ash trees is more resistant to diebackWhen ash dieback first arrived in Britain, in 2012, an emergency COBRA meeting was formed. The disease has since spread rampantly across the countryside, but there is still hope.
-
From the Country Life archive: The 19th century answer to SwingballEvery Monday, Melanie Bryan, delves into the hidden depths of Country Life's extraordinary archive to bring you a long-forgotten story, photograph or advert.
-
Canine muses: David Hockney's chocolate dachshunds who wanted for only two things — food and loveIn the second edition of our limited series, we meet some more of the dogs who've inspired our greatest artists.
-
The golden eagle: One of the Great British public's favourite birds of prey — but devilishly tricky to identifyWe are often so keen to encounter this animal that ambition overrides the accuracy of our observations, writes Mark Cocker.
-
‘There are moments of formal dressing where one is humbled by the rules of it all’: A New Yorker tackles Royal Ascot for the first timeA day at the races filled with Royal processions, fantastical picnics and top hats might not sound particularly odd to us, but to visitors from America it’s a spectacle that has to be seen to be believed. One New Yorker recounts what he saw — and what he thought about it all.
