The Winners of Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026
Lancashire’s finest tourism and hospitality businesses were in the spotlight last night (11 February) at the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026, held in the spectacular surroundings of the Winter Gardens, Blackpool, hosted by BBC Radio Lancashire’s Mike Stevens.
The annual awards, organised by Marketing Lancashire, the county’s LVEP (Local Visitor Economy Partnership) was a dazzling showcase for the county’s leading tourism, hospitality and food and drink businesses, supported by Headline Sponsors Blackpool & The Fylde College and BOOTHS.
The ceremony was opened by Vikki Harris, Marketing & Partnerships Director of Marketing Lancashire who welcomed colleagues, sponsors and guests to the only county-wide celebration dedicated to Lancashire’s £5.7billion visitor economy.
Commenting on the Lancashire Tourism Awards Vikki said “These awards are the culmination of a rigorous process of applications, scoring, and mystery shopping, before each finalist is put before our panels of expert, impartial, judges. Every single one of you that has made it to this point, should be so proud of your business.”
She continued “At Marketing Lancashire, we’re passionate about positioning Lancashire as a top visitor destination.
“We do everything in our power to shine a light on your wonderful businesses and help the tourism industry grow by attracting more overseas and domestic visitors with visits and holidays that are best in class for value-for-money and for high-quality service.
“Our industry has a transformational effect on people’s lives, and tourism supports so many other sectors and our thriving communities. People come here for our events, attractions, world class food, beaches or heritage and all of that underpins why Lancashire is such an incredible place to live.”
Vikki also referenced Lancashire’s role in next year’s Tour de France which will pass through some of the county’s most scenic locations.
“ When the Tour de France comes to Lancashire in 2027, the whole world will see just how incredible Lancashire is as the riders traverse the county, battling it out on our most challenging hills to be crowned ‘king of the mountains’.
“The entire race is broadcast live for 5 hours a day across the globe to 183 countries and is watched by billions of people – literally the best TV advert, and it will firmly put us at the forefront of people’s travel plans.”
She concluded by wishing all the finalists the very best of luck calling them “all winners in our eyes”.
From Large Event to Small Serviced Accommodation, New Tourism Business to Experience of the Year; there was a category covering every aspect of Lancashire’s tourism offer, as well as special awards for Hospitality and Tourism Student and Unsung Hero. The future of Lancashire tourism was so well represented this year that two students, George Hainsworth and Lois Atkinson, were both singled out for Hospitality and Tourism Student awards. Andy Black, was named Unsung Hero, for his work with Horses and Ponies Protection Association (HAPPA) in Briercliffe, which was the big winner on the evening – taking away two further awards for Small Visitor Attraction and Visitor Experience.
BOOTHS, for the second year, sponsored the four Taste Lancashire Producer Awards acknowledging the significant role Lancashire’s food and drink plays in every visitor’s experience of the county.
The finalists and winners of the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026
New Tourism Business of the Year*
Go Ape Blackburn
Park Hall Hotel and Spa, Charnock Richard
The Bath Morecambe – WINNER
Wedding Venue of the Year
Beeston Manor, Hoghton
Brockholes Nature Reserve, Samlesbury
The Glass House, Staining
The Wellbeing Farm, Edgworth – WINNER
Wennington Hall, Wennington
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year*
Astley Hall Museum, Coach House and Park, Chorley
Cedar Farm, Mawdesley
Horses and Ponies Protection Association (HAPPA), Briercliffe – WINNER
The Hole In Wand Blackpool
Large Event
Blackpool Dance Festival – WINNER
Farmaggedon, Ormskirk
Farmer Christmas, Ormskirk
Family owned / run business
Brickhouse Farm Cottages, Hambleton
Elgin Hotel / Hotel Sheraton, Blackpool
Moss Wood Caravan Park, Cockerham
sō-lō restaurant, Aughton
Thornton Hall Country Park, Thornton-in-Craven – WINNER
Small Event
Affinity Lancashire’s BIG 30th Birthday Bash, Fleetwood
Chorley Flower Show
Rossendale Pride – WINNER
Santa’s Grotto Experience, Oswaldtwistle Mills
The Dukes Park Show, The Wizard of Oz, Lancaster
Regenerative Tourism Award*
Eight at Gazegill by Doug Crampton, Rimington – WINNER
The Wellbeing Farm, Edgworth
Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year*
Claylands Park, Cabus
Stanley Villa Farm Fishing & Camping, Greenhalgh – WINNER
The Secret Garden Glamping, Skelmersdale
Dog Friendly Business of the Year
Affinity Lancashire, Fleetwood
Brackenthwaite Holidays, Yealand Redmayne – WINNER
HAPPA- Horses and Ponies Protection Association, Briercliffe
The Lawrence, Padiham
Hospitality & Tourism Student
Emily Broadhurst, North Lancashire training Group, nominated by The Emporium, part of Bowland Inns and Hotels
George Hainsworth, Blackburn College – WINNER one of two winners this year
Jack Norton, Runshaw College
Jessica Armstrong, Blackpool & the Fylde College
Lois Atkinson, North Lancashire Training Group, nominated by The Britannia Tap & Grill – WINNER one of two winners this year
Samuel Kolacz, Blackpool & The Fylde College, nominated by Holiday Inn Preston
TASTE LANCASHIRE PRODUCER AWARD for Fish, Field and Dairy Produce
Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses, Preston
Procter’s Cheeses Ltd – Kick-Ass Cheese, Chipping
Fernhill Farm Milk and Milkshakes, Poulton-Le-Fylde – WINNER
TASTE LANCASHIRE PRODUCER AWARD for Bakery, Pies and Pastries
Williams Handbaked, Preston – WINNER
The Pie Hole Darwen
Haffners Bakery, Burnley
Lone Wolf Bakery, Lancaster
TASTE LANCASHIRE PRODUCER AWARD for Pantry, Preserved and Ready to Eat
Market Street Kitchen, Blackpool
Grandma Entwistle’s Lancashire Sauce, Huncoat
Oato, Fulwood- WINNER
TASTE LANCASHIRE PRODUCER AWARD for Beers, Wines & Spirits
Blackpool Rock Gin, Lytham-St-Annes
Farm Yard Brew Co, Lancaster- WINNER
Fairham Gin, Preston
The Lancashire Mead Company, Horwich
Large Hotel of the Year*
Barton Manor Hotel & Spa, Barton
Big Blue Hotel, Pleasure Beach Resort, Blackpool
Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley – WINNER
Holiday Inn Blackpool
Hotel Sheraton, Blackpool
Small Serviced Accommodation of the Year*
Greendale Teahouse & Rooms, Chatburn
The Lawrence, Padiham
The Royal at Heysham – Part of Thwaites – WINNER
Self Catering Accommodation*
Brackenthwaite Holidays, Yealand Redmayne
Cuthbert Hill Farm, Chipping
Laythams Holiday Lets Retreat, Slaidburn – WINNER
Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award*
Brickhouse Farm Cottages, Hambleton
Sandcastle Waterpark Blackpool
WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, Burscough – WINNER
Business Events Venue of the Year*
Burnley Football Club
North End Events at Preston North End FC
Stanley House Hotel & Spa, Mellor
The Wellbeing Farm, Edgworth – WINNER
Winter Gardens Blackpool
Pub of the Year*
Assheton Arms, Downham
Britannia Tap & Grill, Oswaldtwistle
The Black Bull, Old Langho
The Royal Dyche, Burnley – WINNER
Experience of the Year*
Bowland & Bay – Artisan Foodie Adventures, Scorton
HAPPA- Horses and Ponies Protection Association, Own A Pony Day, Briercliffe – WINNER
Lancaster Walks, Talks & Tours
Cultural Venue / Organisation
The Dukes, Lancaster
The Lowther Pavilion Theatre & Gardens, Lytham – WINNER
The Whitaker Museum and Art Gallery, Rawtenstall
Winter Gardens Blackpool
Hotel Wedding Venue of the Year
Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley
Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel and Spa, Clayton-le-Moors
Ribby Hall Weddings, Wrea Green
Stanley House Hotel & Spa, Mellor – WINNER
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year*
Farmer Teds Farm Park, Ormskirk
Mrs Dowsons Farm Park, Clayton-le-Dale
Pleasure Beach Resort, Blackpool – WINNER
Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool
Showtown Blackpool
Taste of Lancashire Award*
Bertram’s Restaurant, Burnley
Eight at Gazegill by Doug Crampton, Rimington – WINNER
Greendale Teahouse & Rooms, Chatburn
Lakeside Kitchen, Brickhouse Farm Cottages, Hambleton
The White Bull at Oswaldtwistle
Unsung Hero Award
Peter Martland Baillie, Founder, Cedar Farm.
Andy Black, Café Manager, The Café at HAPPA – WINNER
Jenny Moss, Guest Experience Manager, Beeston Manor.
Kate Pollard, Marketing & Events Manager, Affinity Lancashire.
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* The winners of these categories will have the opportunity to represent Lancashire in the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2026 competition – subject to meeting criteria.
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The judges also wanted to reward one of the finalists that had impressed in their category but had just been pipped to the post. The Judges Commendation this year, went to Hotel Sheraton in Blackpool.
Most of the winners in Lancashire’s regional tourism awards now have the chance to progress to the national Visit England Awards for Excellence. Just as their colleague Eight at Gazegill by Doug Crampton did last year, where they won a national Bronze Award in the New Tourism Business category.
A moving film from Hospitality Action the awards’ Charity Partner, was shown during this year’s Lancashire Tourism Awards and the audience invited to make donations in support of colleagues in need; Hospitality Action leads the way in financial, practical and emotional support to some of the most vulnerable people in the sector.
Sponsors of the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026 include: BAE Systems, B&D Print Services, Blackpool Gazette, Conferences & Events at Burnley Football Club, Creative Council, Harrison Drury Solicitors, Insight6, Lancashire Business View, Lancashire Life, Lancashire Post, Lancashire Telegraph, Links Signs & Graphics, Musique, North Lancs Training Group, NPD, PM+M and Pure Elegance.
For all the latest news and updates follow #LTA26 @MarketingLancs on X and LinkedIn www.Lancashiretourismawards.com