These are Brits’ favourite hotels, holiday resorts and tourist attractions

FORGET Margate – the top UK seaside town of 2017 was Bournemouth.

The Dorset resort was crowned the winner, followed by Bude in Cornwall and Brighton in East Sussex at this year’s British Travel Awards.

Just under 360,000 people registered votes in the competition, which judges everything from the best leisure attractions and car hire firms to the best budget hotels.

There were 145 categories but Sun Online Travel has picked the best of the categories, the full list can be found here.

In UK tourism, the Lost Gardens of Heligan was voted Best UK leisure attraction.

The restored 19th century-style botanical gardens in Cornwall visitors the chance to see some of the country's rarer species in their natural habitats.

The best heritage attraction in the UK was across the sea in Northern Ireland – The Giant’s Causeway, followed by Edinburgh Castle and Longleat safari park.

The Giant's Causeway in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, is an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption.

Meanwhile, the best UK county for holidays was Cornwall – which has also enjoyed a boost thanks to the large number of Brits opting for a staycation this year.

When it came to popular hotel brands, Premier Inn bagged the nomination for the best economy hotel group, while the best posh brand was the Dorchester Collection and the best midscale was
Hilton Hotels and Resorts.

There were also plenty of categories for holidays abroad.

bagged the award for Best medium camping and mobile holiday company, Parkdean Resorts won the large section and Venue Holidays came first in the small section.

Meanwhile, Mark Warner one the title of Best medium ski and winter sports holiday company, Crystal Ski Holidays won the large section and Snowbizz won the small section.

The Best Airline Awards saw British Airways win Best European Airline, Virgin Atlantic win Best Westbound Longhaul Airline, and Best Eastbound Longhaul Airline going to Etihad Airways.

From planes to cars, Avis was a winner in the Best Car Hire Provider category, with the Best Airport Parking Company going to APH (Airport Parking & Hotels) for the eighth year running, and 9-year winners, P and O Ferries nabbing Best Ferry Booking Website and Best Ferry/Mini Cruise Operator.

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