The finalists of the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2023 have been announced and the only finalist for Gloucestershire this year is the WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre.
The center has been nominated in the comprehensive and accessible tourism award category.
Meanwhile, Noah’s Ark zoo farm near Bristol is also nominated for the same category.
Additionally, the Cotswolds Tourist information guide has been nominated for a Trailblazer Award.
VisitEngland director Andrew Stokes said: “This impressive shortlist of finalists showcases the innovation and excellence that is flourishing in the UK tourism industry.
“The quality and quantity of applications also highlight the range of outstanding products and experiences offered to both domestic and international visitors. We wish the finalists the best of luck.”
The VisitEngland Excellence Awards celebrate the best of the country’s tourism industry to celebrate quality, innovation, best practices and exceptional customer service.
The 48 finalists, announced after a rigorous evaluation process by handpicked tourism industry experts, will now go on to compete in 16 major categories at the national awards. family.
The award categories range from ‘small attraction of the year’ and ‘B&B and guesthouse of the year’ to ‘business event venue of the year’.
All finalists were invited to attend the national awards ceremony, this year held at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter on June 7.
This year’s awards match 16 local competitions from across the UK with the winners automatically awarded a national prize.
For more information see – www.visitenglandawards.org
Full list of finalists:
Comprehensive and accessible Travel Awards:
Brickhouse Farm Holiday Cottages & Lakeside Hub, Lancashire www.brickhousecottages.co.uk
Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, Bristol www.noahsarkzoofarm.co.uk
WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Gloucestershire www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/slimbridge
TXGB Pioneer Award:
Cotswold Tourism, Cotswold www.cotswolds.com
New Adventures, Tyne & Wear & Northumberland www.newadventures.org.uk
Red Funnel, Isle of Wight www.redfunnel.co.uk
B&B and Guest House of the Year:
Cedar Manor, Cumbria www.cedarmanor.co.uk
Piglets Boutique B&B, Essex www.piglets.co.uk
Sunnyside Guest House, Merseyside www.sunnysidesouthport.co.uk
Business event venue of the year:
Location Imago, Leicestershire www.imagovenues.co.uk
National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire www.thenma.org.uk/hold-your-event/the-aspects-building
ICC Birmingham, West Midlands www.theicc.co.uk
Camping, Glamping and Vacation Park of the Year:
Brook Meadow, Leicestershire www.brookmeadow.co.uk
Hendra Holiday Park, Cornwall www.Hendra-holidays.com
Quiet site, Cumbria www.thequietsite.co.uk
The Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Awards:
National Forest EBike Holidays, Leicestershire www.ebikeholiday.co.uk
Pure outdoors, Derbyshire www.pureoutdoor.co.uk
Cottages at Blackadon Farm, Devon www.cottagesatblackadonfarm.co.uk
Experience of the year:
Walking Experience in Peak District, myGuidedWalks, Cheshire www.myguidedwalks.co.uk
Gray Seal and Seabird Cruise, Serenity Farne Island Boat Tours, Northumberland www.farneislandstours.co.uk
Create Your Own Gin Experience, Shed 1 Distillery, Cumbria www.shed1distillery.com
Big hotel of the year:
Bowood Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort, Wiltshire www.bowood.org/hotel
Rockliffe Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa Resort, County Durham www.rockliffehall.com
Titanic Liverpool Hotel, Merseyside www.titanichotelliverpool.com
Attracting a large number of visitors during the year:
Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire www.blenheimpalace.com
International Bomber Command Center, Lincolnshire www.internationalbcc.co.uk
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, Hertfordshire www.wbstudiotour.co.uk
New tourism enterprise of the year:
Bassenthwaite Lake Station, Cumbria www.bassenthwaitelakestation.com
Great British car journey, Derbyshire www.greatbritishcarjourney.com
Thorington Theatre, Suffolk www.thoringtontheatre.co.uk
Pub of the Year:
The Blind Bull, Derbyshire www.theblindbull.co.uk
Duncombe Weapons, Staffordshire www.duncombearms.co.uk
The Shoe, Hampshire www.theshoeexton.co.uk
Awards for Resilience and Innovation:
Healing Manor Hotel, Lincolnshire www.healingmanorhotel.co.uk
Langley Castle Hotel, Northumberland www.langleycastle.co.uk
St Luke’s CIC Bombed Church, Merseyside www.slboc.com
Self-catering accommodation of the year:
Eaton Manor Country Estate, Shropshire www.eatonmanor.co.uk
Kidlandlee Holiday Cottages, Northumberland www.kidlandlee.co.uk
Dovecote Barn, North Yorkshire www.dovecotebarnsyork.co.uk
Small Hotel of the Year:
Askham Hall, Cumbria www.askhamhall.co.uk
THE PIG-at Combe, Devon www.thepighotel.com/at-combe/
Wildhive Callow Hall, Derbyshire www.wildhive.uk
Small tourist attractions of the year:
Castle, Muncaster Gardens and Falconry & Owl Centre, Cumbria www.muncaster.co.ukPK Porthcurno, Cornwall www.pkporthcurno.com
Watatunga Wildlife Sanctuary, Norfolk www.watatunga.co.uk
Taste of England Awards:
Pensons Restaurant at Netherwood Estate, Worcestershire www.pensons.co.uk
Glasshouse Restaurant, Hampshire www.oakleyhall-park.com/dine-drink/glasshouse-restaurant/
The Unruly Pig, Suffolk www.theunrulypig.co.uk
Silent Hero Title:
Michael Wilson, Official Guide to Kent Estuary, Guide to Sands Trust, Cumbria
Carol Adams, Head of Horticulture & Biodiversity, Trentham, Staffordshire
Marie Colgrave, Welcome Building Supervisor, Whitchurch Silk Mill, Hampshire
Tourism content award:
Paul Healy, Anywhere We Roam – A wild getaway in Swaledale – the unspoiled valley in the Yorkshire Dales
Ben Lerwill, National Geographic Traveler – How ancient art and history collide while hiking through Deal, Dover and Folkestone
Miller, The Independent- How to Enjoy a Classic Weekend in the Cotswolds, Without a Car
