VisitEngland reveals national finalists for 2026 Awards for Excellence

 

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’

Learn more about Visit Britain