Applications were put forward for national judging from businesses across England including hotels, self-catering accommodation providers, B&Bs, glamping operators, attractions, restaurants, pubs, museums and conference centres.
The 53 finalists will now go on to compete in 15 core categories at this year’s awards, from the Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award, the Taste of England Award to Self Catering Accommodation of the Year and Small Visitor Attraction of the Year. There will also be four special awards, including the Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award. All finalists are invited to attend an online virtual event on Monday 17 August when the winners are set to be announced.
VisitEngland Chief Executive Sally Balcombe said:
“These awards celebrate businesses and individuals in tourism across England who have exceeded expectations and delivered excellence during the last 18 months and it is fantastic to see such an outstanding list of finalists.
“The impressive list reflects the sheer scale of innovation, quality and experiences across our tourism landscape and I congratulate all the finalists and wish them the very best of luck.
“Millions of jobs and local economies depend on tourism and this year’s awards are also a timely opportunity to acknowledge the determination and dedication of tourism businesses across the country who have worked extremely hard to reopen and welcome visitors back safely.”
The Awards champion the very best of the country’s tourism industry celebrating quality, innovation and best practice. This year’s Awards aligned with 18 local competitions around the country, with winners automatically put forward for the national awards.
List of finalists:
Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award:
Birmingham Hippodrome West Midlands
Durlston Country Park & National Nature Reserve Dorset
Mylor Sailing and Powerboat School Cornwall
B&B and Guest House of the Year:
Haven Cottage Cumbria
St Cuthbert’s House Northumberland
The 25 Boutique B&B Devon
Business Events Venue of the Year:
College Court Conference Centre and Hotel Leicestershire
NTU Events and Conferencing Nottinghamshire
The Brewery Greater London
Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year:
Eye Kettleby Lakes Leicestershire
Landal Darwin Forest Derbyshire
Swallowtail Hill East Sussex
Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award:
Hoe Grange Holidays Derbyshire
The Hive Café and Bakery West Midlands
The Quiet Site Cumbria
Experience of the Year:
Ezekial Bone - Nottingham Robin Hood Town Tour Nottinghamshire
Wild Wookey Somerset
ZSL London Zoo Lodges Greater London
International Tourism Award:
Blenheim Palace Oxfordshire
International Bomber Command Centre Lincolnshire
The Roman Baths & Pump Room Somerset
Large Hotel of the Year:
Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa Wiltshire
Southampton Harbour Hotel & Spa Hampshire
The Ned Greater London
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year:
Old Royal Naval College Greater London
The Roman Baths & Pump Room Somerset
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter Hertfordshire
New Tourism Business Award:
Hotham's Gin School and Distillery East Yorkshire
The Flower Bowl Entertainment Centre Lancashire
Vine + Country Tours East Sussex
Pub of the Year:
The Baskerville Oxfordshire
The Howard Arms Warwickshire
Three Horseshoes Pub & Kitchen Dorset
Self Catering Accommodation of the Year:
Broadgate Farm Cottages East Yorkshire
North Hayne Farm Cottages Devon
Wallops Wood Cottages Hampshire
Small Hotel of the Year:
Cary Arms & Spa Devon
Grays Court North Yorkshire
Seaham Hall County Durham
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year:
Gladstone Pottery Museum Staffordshire
Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum Dorset
Herschel Museum of Astronomy Somerset
Taste of England Award:
John's House Leicestershire
Restaurant Hjem Northumberland
The Dining Room - Whatley Manor Hotel and Spa Wiltshire
Travel Content Award:
Helen Coffey, Independent.co.uk
Don’t let the Russian Poisonings put you off visiting Salisbury, the UK’s loveliest medieval city
Rachel Dixon, The Guardian
Uncrowded Cornwall: fine food and walking on the Lizard
Paul Healy & Mark Barnes
Anywhere We Roam
Tourism Superstar:
Lorry Middleton Isle of Wight
International Distribution Award:
Destination Bristol
Newcastle Gateshead Initiative
Visit County Durham
Notes to Editors:
- All finalists from the core categories have been forwarded to the national competition as eligible winners from 18 local competitions and will be awarded either a Bronze, Silver or Gold award at the virtual ceremony.
- These local competitions took place during 2019 and early 2020.
- VisitEngland appointed industry experts across several judging panels to determine the Gold, Silver and Bronze national winners for each core category.
- This event is the culmination of the first awards cycle since the modernisation of the awards in March 2019.
- The 2020 VisitEngland Awards for Excellence event will be streamed live at visitengland.org and on our YouTube channel: VisitEnglandBiz on 17 August from 19:00 – 21:00
