VisitEngland has today, 15 April, announced the finalists for the tourism industry’s national Awards for Excellence.
The VisitEngland Awards for Excellence have been championing the best in England’s tourism industry for more than 35 years and celebrate quality, innovation, best practice and exceptional customer service. Finalists represent the very highest standards across accessibility, accommodation, attractions, experiences, food and drink, and business events, showcasing the strength and diversity of English tourism.
VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes said:
“These awards honour the very best businesses and individuals in tourism, who are the driving force in an industry that delivers growth to local economies across England. I thank them for their dedicated service, congratulate them on achieving finalist status and wish them every success.”
The 53 finalists, selected following a rigorous judging process by handpicked tourism industry experts, will now go on to compete in 16 core categories at this year’s awards. There will also be three special awards, including the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award’, the ‘Travel Content Award’ and the ‘Tourism Superstar Award’.
This VisitEngland Awards for Excellence worked in collaboration with 21 local competitions across England with 369 winners automatically put forward for national recognition.
VisitEngland is inviting everyone to be a part of the celebration at Aerospace Bristol, under the wings of Concorde Alpha Foxtrot, the supersonic passenger jet, on 3 June where Gold, Silver and Bronze winners will be announced at the black tie event. Tickets are on sale with an early bird rate for the first 100 people to book their seat at the table. To buy tickets go to: https://buytickets.at/visitenglandawardsforexcellence/2089275(opens in a new tab)
The Family Holiday Charity is the chosen charity for this year’s event.
Tourism is one of England’s largest, most valuable industries - supporting hundreds of thousands of small-to-medium sized businesses, more than two million jobs and worth £127 billion to the economy in England.
VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2026 finalists:
Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award:
- Hoe Grange Holidays, Peak District, Derbyshire
- Nottingham Playhouse, Nottingham
- Attwell Farm Park, Worcestershire
B&B and Guest House of the Year:
- Holly Lodge Boutique Bed & Breakfast, Norfolk
- One Drake Road and Apartments, Devon
- MonkBridge House, York
Business Events Venue of the Year:
- The Catalyst, Newcastle
- Nottingham Venues, Nottingham
- Warwick Conferences, Warwick
Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year:
- Clawford Lakes Resort and Spa, Devon
- Kaya at Blackhill Farm Ltd, Herefordshire
- Bredon View Glamping Retreats, Worcestershire
Experience of the Year:
- Make Your Own Distilled Spirit, Shed One Distillery, Cumbria
- Blacksmithing Experience Days, Oldfield Forge Ltd, Herefordshire
- The Wizard Walk of York, York
International Tourism Award:
- The Beatles Story, Liverpool
- Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves, Devon
- Castle Howard, York
Large Hotel of the Year:
- The Grand Brighton, Brighton
- Watergate Bay Hotel, Cornwall
- Bovey Castle, Devon
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year:
- Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire
- Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park, Suffolk
- Attwell Farm Park, Worcestershire
New Tourism Business of the Year:
- Flora and Fauna Exmoor, Exmoor
- The Story of Emily, Cornwall
- One Acre Wood, Herefordshire
Pub of the Year:
- The Tollemache Arms, Northamptonshire
- The Kirkstyle Inn and Sportsman’s Rest, Northumberland
- The Tickled Trout, Barlow, Derbyshire
Regenerative Tourism Award:
- Eight at Gazegill by Doug Crampton, Lancashire
- Gladwins Farm - Self Catering Holiday Cottages, Suffolk
- Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre, Birmingham
Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year:
- Cedar Hollow @ The Oaks, Oxfordshire
- Bosinver Farm Cottages, Cornwall
- Rowley Farm Holidays, Worcestershire
Small Hotel of the Year:
- Farlam Hall Hotel & Restaurant, Cumbria
- The Tempus, Northumberland
- Peak Edge Hotel, Derbyshire
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year:
- Ad Gefrin Anglo-Saxon Museum & Whisky Distillery, Northumberland
- National Justice Museum, Nottinghamshire
- Morgan Experience, Worcestershire
Taste of England Award:
- Eight at Gazegill by Doug Crampton, Lancashire
- Blackfriars, Newcastle
- Carriages Restaurant, Herefordshire
Unsung Hero Award:
- Jayne Chapman - Tatton Park, Cheshire
- Andy Black - Horses and Ponies Protection Association, Lancashire
- Viv Smith - National Stone Centre, Derbyshire
Travel Content Award:
- Rhiannon Batten, The Guardian – ‘From farms to fork: a food-lover’s cycle tour of Herefordshire’
- Emily-Ann Elliott, The i Paper – ‘North Yorkshire’s spa holidays are still the best – and cost less than £225’
- Chris Leadbeater, The Telegraph - ‘This charming Herefordshire town is the real star of Hamnet’
Notes to Editors:
- For more information on VisitEngland’s Awards for Excellence go to: VisitEngland Award For Excellence Dates | VisitBritain.org
- To buy tickets to the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2026 with an early bird rate for the first 100 people to book their seat at the table priced at £140 + VAT per ticket go to: Click here to buy your tickets! – VisitEngland Awards for Excellence – Aerospace Bristol
- For more information on the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence judges go to: https://www.visitbritain.org/business-advice/visitengland-awards-excellence/visitengland-awards-excellence-judging-process
- For more information on Aerospace Bristol go to: Aerospace Bristol | Where imagination takes off
- For more information about the Family Holiday Charity go to: https://familyholidaycharity.org.uk/