The Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026 took place on 11 February at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. Marketing Lancashire organised the event as the county’s Local Visitor Economy Partnership. The awards recognised businesses across tourism, hospitality, and food and drink sectors throughout Lancashire.
Blackpool & The Fylde College and Booths served as headline sponsors for the ceremony. BBC Radio Lancashire’s Mike Stevens hosted the event. Vikki Harris, Marketing & Partnerships Director of Marketing Lancashire, opened the ceremony and welcomed guests to Lancashire’s only county-wide tourism celebration.
The awards process involved multiple stages. Businesses submitted applications that went through scoring and mystery shopping evaluations. Expert judges then reviewed finalists before selecting winners. Every business that reached the finalist stage demonstrated high standards across their operations.
Lancashire’s visitor economy contributes £5.7 billion to the county. The tourism sector supports numerous other industries and local communities across the region. Visitors travel to Lancashire for events, attractions, food offerings, beaches, and heritage sites. These features make the county an attractive place for both tourists and residents.
The 2027 Tour de France will pass through Lancashire’s scenic locations. The race broadcasts live for five hours daily to 183 countries, reaching billions of viewers worldwide. This global exposure will showcase Lancashire’s landscape as cyclists compete on challenging hills for the king of the mountains title.
Categories and Winners
The awards covered multiple aspects of Lancashire’s tourism industry. Categories ranged from accommodation types to events, attractions, and food production. Special recognition went to students and individuals who made significant contributions to the sector.
The Bath Morecambe won New Tourism Business of the Year. This category featured businesses that recently entered Lancashire’s tourism market. The winner demonstrated strong performance in their early operations and showed promise for future growth.
The Wellbeing Farm in Edgworth secured two awards. The venue won both Wedding Venue of the Year and Business Events Venue of the Year. These dual wins highlighted the farm’s ability to serve different market segments whilst maintaining quality standards.
Horses and Ponies Protection Association (HAPPA) in Briercliffe emerged as the evening’s biggest winner with three awards. The organisation won Small Visitor Attraction of the Year, Visitor Experience of the Year for their Own A Pony Day programme, and earned recognition for their overall contribution to Lancashire tourism.
Andy Black received the Unsung Hero Award for his work with HAPPA. This special recognition acknowledged individuals who make substantial contributions to Lancashire’s tourism sector without seeking public attention.
Two students received Hospitality & Tourism Student Awards. George Hainsworth from Blackburn College and Lois Atkinson from North Lancashire Training Group both earned recognition. Their dual wins demonstrated the strength of Lancashire’s emerging tourism talent.
Events and Attractions
Blackpool Dance Festival won the Large Event category. The festival attracts participants and spectators from across the country and internationally. Its success contributes to Blackpool’s reputation as an entertainment destination.
Rossendale Pride secured the Small Event award. The community celebration brought together residents and visitors whilst promoting inclusivity across the region.
Thornton Hall Country Park in Thornton-in-Craven won Family Owned/Run Business. The park demonstrated how family operations can maintain personal service whilst growing their business reach.
Accommodation Recognition
Stanley Villa Farm Fishing & Camping in Greenhalgh won Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year. The site combined outdoor accommodation with recreational activities for guests.
Laythams Holiday Lets Retreat in Slaidburn won Self Catering Accommodation. The property offered visitors independence whilst exploring Lancashire’s countryside.
The Royal at Heysham, part of Thwaites, won Small Serviced Accommodation of the Year. The establishment provided personalised service in a traditional pub setting with rooms.
Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort in Burnley secured Large Hotel of the Year. The resort offered comprehensive facilities for leisure and business guests.
Brackenthwaite Holidays in Yealand Redmayne won Dog Friendly Business of the Year. The accommodation welcomed pets and their owners, recognising the growing market for animal-friendly tourism.
Accessible Tourism
WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre in Burscough won the Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award. The centre demonstrated commitment to ensuring all visitors could enjoy their facilities regardless of physical abilities or other requirements.
Sandcastle Waterpark Blackpool and Brickhouse Farm Cottages in Hambleton were also finalists in this category. Their nominations reflected Lancashire’s growing focus on making tourism accessible to everyone.
Food and Drink Recognition
Booths sponsored the four Taste Lancashire Producer Awards for the second consecutive year. These awards recognised producers who contribute to Lancashire’s food and drink reputation.
Fernhill Farm Milk and Milkshakes in Poulton-Le-Fylde won the Fish, Field and Dairy Produce category. Their products showcased Lancashire’s agricultural heritage.
Williams Handbaked from Preston secured the Bakery, Pies and Pastries award. The bakery maintained traditional methods whilst meeting modern consumer expectations.
Oato from Fulwood won Pantry, Preserved and Ready to Eat. Their products offered convenience without compromising quality or local character.
Farm Yard Brew Co from Lancaster won Beers, Wines & Spirits. The brewery contributed to Lancashire’s growing craft drinks sector.
Dining and Hospitality
The Royal Dyche in Burnley won Pub of the Year. The venue balanced traditional pub atmosphere with contemporary service standards. Three Burnley destinations won awards, highlighting the town’s tourism development.
Stanley House Hotel & Spa in Mellor, whilst not winning, reached the finals for Business Events Venue. Winter Gardens Blackpool also competed in this category, showing the range of event spaces across Lancashire.
Sustainability Focus
Eight at Gazegill by Doug Crampton in Rimington won the Regenerative Tourism Award. The restaurant demonstrated environmental responsibility through their operations. The venue had previously won a national Bronze Award at the Visit England Awards for Excellence in the New Tourism Business category.
The Wellbeing Farm in Edgworth was also a finalist in this category. Their nomination reflected broader industry movement towards sustainable practices.
Award Impact
Winners from 14 core categories now have the opportunity to progress to the Visit England Awards for Excellence. This national competition provides further recognition for Lancashire’s tourism businesses.
The Lancashire Tourism Awards serve as Lancashire’s only county-wide annual celebration of tourism achievement. The awards reveal leading businesses working across the sector and position them for regional and national recognition.
Previous winners have successfully progressed
Frequently Asked Questions
Which organisations received honours at the latest Lancashire Tourism Awards ceremony?
The 2024 Lancashire Tourism Awards ceremony took place at Blackpool Tower Ballroom and recognised excellence across the county’s visitor economy. Blackpool Zoo received recognition in the Accessible & Inclusive Tourism category. Folk, Roots & Maritime Festival in Lytham won in the Small Event category. Eight at Gazegill, a previous winner in the New Tourism Business category, went on to earn bronze at the Visit England Awards for Excellence 2025.
The event distributed honours across 27 different categories. More than 400 attendees gathered to celebrate the achievements of Lancashire’s tourism and hospitality sector.
What award categories exist within the Lancashire Tourism Awards programme?
The Lancashire Tourism Awards feature a comprehensive range of categories that reflect the diverse nature of the county’s visitor economy. The 2024 awards included 27 distinct categories in total.
Core categories include:
- Accessible & Inclusive Tourism
- Business Events Venue
- Camping, Glamping & Holiday Park
- Large and Small Attractions
- Small Event
- New Tourism Business
- Best Visitor Experience
The Taste Producer Awards represent a specialised category conducted in partnership with Booths. These awards open for applications in September, with finalists announced in December.
Winners from 14 core categories advance to represent Lancashire at the national Visit England Awards for Excellence.
How does one enter the Lancashire Tourism Awards competition?
Marketing Lancashire organises the county’s annual tourism awards programme. The organisation serves as the primary point of contact for those interested in participating.
Applications for different categories open at various times throughout the year. The Taste Producer Awards specifically open for applications in September.
Businesses and organisations within Lancashire’s tourism and hospitality sector may submit entries for consideration. The awards programme aims to identify and celebrate the brightest performers across the county’s visitor economy.
How are Lancashire Tourism Awards recipients determined?
The selection process evaluates entries across multiple categories to identify the most outstanding performers in Lancashire’s tourism sector. The awards programme operates as a county-wide celebration of excellence within the visitor economy.
Marketing Lancashire delivers the awards programme with support from sponsors and partners who recognise the significance of tourism to Lancashire’s prosperity. The University of Central Lancashire has served as headline sponsor for the prestigious annual event.
Winners from core categories proceed to represent Lancashire at the Visit England Awards for Excellence. This progression demonstrates the rigorous standards applied during the selection process.
What requirements must entrants meet to qualify for the Lancashire Tourism Awards?
Entrants must operate within Lancashire’s tourism and hospitality sector to be eligible for consideration. The awards programme encompasses a wide range of visitor economy businesses across the county.
Different categories may have specific requirements based on the nature of the business or service. Categories distinguish between large and small operations, ensuring appropriate recognition for businesses of varying scales.
The awards celebrate excellence across attractions, accommodation, events, dining establishments, and other tourism-related enterprises. Businesses must demonstrate outstanding performance within their respective category to qualify for recognition.
What advantages do Lancashire Tourism Awards winners gain?
Winners receive recognition as leaders within Lancashire’s £4.25 billion visitor economy. This acknowledgement comes through a high-profile ceremony attended by hundreds of industry professionals and stakeholders.
Recipients in core categories gain the opportunity to represent Lancashire at the Visit England Awards for Excellence. This national platform provides additional exposure and prestige beyond the county level.
Award-winning status serves as a powerful marketing tool for businesses. Winners can promote their achievement to attract visitors and customers who seek quality experiences.
The awards provide networking opportunities with other excellence-driven businesses across Lancashire’s tourism sector. This connection to a community of high performers can lead to collaborative opportunities and industry insights.
