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.
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The greatest moment in the life of Jessie Owens: Country Life Quiz of the Day, June 13, 2025Breathtaking athleticism and Shakespeare's birthday are among the questions in the final quiz of the week.
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Forget catnip, it's all about catmintNepeta, the highly aromatic and pretty perennial beloved of so many country gardens, may be your feline’s favourite fix, but we should be wary of its root, warns Deborah Nicholls-Lee
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‘It's a bit like a pub, but without the requirement of being drunk’: Why we’re all hot for a countryside saunaThe sauna is the latest wellness trend — especially one immersed in Nature. Lotte Brundle dips into why the pastime has been heating up.
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'When you are blind, your physical world is only as far as your arms can reach, but with my guide dog, my world is limitless'Tubby little bundles of joy, guide-dog puppies may be irresistibly sweet, but they’ve been expertly engineered to perform life-changing duties, discovers Katy Birchall.
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Arthur Parkinson: Ruffled feathers and a bad attitude — my guide on how to deal with broody hensA chicken's desire to sit on and hatch a clutch of eggs can be the most effortless way to rear your own birds, but for those who are after eggs and not chicks it can be a real issue.
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'We don’t expect to catch monsters in British seas': The return of the bluefin tunaIt’s no longer necessary to venture to tropical waters in order to catch a monster tuna, says Jonathan Young, as he attempts to land a big-game fish in Falmouth Bay.
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From 'Gerroff my land' to 'Get on my land': Farmers are keen to set the record straight with Open Farm Sunday 2025The event — which sees farmers throw open their gates to visitors — returns for its 19th year on Sunday, June 8 with hundreds of farms across Britain will be taking part.
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Goodwoof: 'The remarkable thing is how few incidents of biting there are, from dogs and owners'Now in its 4th year, Goodwoof could be the canine Glastonbury. Charles Gordon-Lennox, the Duke of Richmond, reveals some of the secrets of its success.
