Tourism gems, fantastic venues, must-see attractions and unsung heroes are today named as finalists in the 2023/4 Marketing Cheshire Tourism Awards.
Organised by Marketing Cheshire the awards recognise excellence and outstanding achievement in the region’s visitor economy.
The awards give accommodation providers, eateries and much-loved attractions the chance to show why they are a must-visit as well as highlighting just why the region’s tourism sector is among the nation’s finest.
Today names of the finalists who, hailing from across Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester and Warrington sub-regions will be going for glory across a wide range of categories at a glittering event on March 21 next year, can be revealed.
The ceremony takes place at Chester Cathedral – itself in the running for several awards.
Keenly contested categories include Wedding Venue of the Year with Chester Zoo, Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa, Peckforton Castle, Wychwood Park Hotel, Rookery Hall Hotel and Spa and Walton Hall and Gardens all hoping awards and marriage go together like a horse and carriage.
Judges will also have the tough task of picking a winner from an incredibly strong set of finalists for the Visitor Attraction of the Year award when Beeston Castle and Woodland Park, Cheshire Outdoor Group, Chester Cathedral, Chester Zoo, Escapism Chester, Norton Priory Museum and Gardens, The Ice Cream Farm and Walton Hall and Gardens will all be hoping to triumph.
While the Team of the Year category is another chance to celebrate the brilliant work that goes on behind the scenes and much-loved pubs and hotels are saluted in separate categories.
And people who make the visitor economy shine and go that extra mile in various roles across the region have been shortlisted in the Unsung Hero Award category.
Some of the winners will go on to represent Cheshire at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.
Trevor Brocklebank, Chair of Marketing Cheshire and Deputy Chair of Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership said: “It has been another year of exceptional entries and everyone shortlisted exemplifies the work that goes on to ensure Cheshire and Warrington is a truly wonderful place to live and visit.
“Our region welcomes over 36.3 million visitors each year creating a visitor economy valued at over £3.7 billion and the finalists all play a role in this. Judges now have the unenviable task of choosing winners in each category.”
Confirmed finalists
Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award
Chester Cathedral
Lion Salt Works
National Trust, Quarry Bank
Storyhouse
Best Tourism Marketing Project of the Year
Chester Mystery Plays 2023
Judith Kerr 100: The Tiger Who Came to Tea and Mog at Tatton Park
Make A Sploosh at BeWILDerwood This Summer
Wondrous Place, Chester Zoo
Business Events Venue of the Year
Chester Cathedral
Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa
The Engine Rooms
Wychwood Park Hotel & Golf Club
Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year
Bradley Hall Rural Escapes
Lady Heyes Holiday Park
Manor Wood Country Caravan Park
Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award
Anderton Boat Lift & Visitor Centre (Canal & River Trust)
Chester Cathedral
Chester Zoo
Just So Festival
The Hive at 52
Experience of the Year
A Taste of Chester Food Walking Tour, Tours Around Chester
Dark Chester Tour
Tower Tour, Chester Cathedral
Large Hotel of the Year
Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa
Rookery Hall Hotel and Spa
The Chester Grosvenor
Pub of the Year
The Lion at Malpas
The Pheasant Inn
The Swan at Tarporley
The Vicarage, Cranage
Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year
Capesthorne Hall
Cheshire Boutique Bathhouse
Enjoy the Pause Holiday Home – Pause UK
Small Serviced Accommodation Provider of the Year
The Bear’s Paw, Warmingham
The Hive at 52
The Lion at Malpas
The Old Post Office by Deuce Hotels Ltd
The Swan at Tarporley
Cheshire Boutique Bathhouse
The Pheasant Inn
Taste of Cheshire Award
Artezzan Restaurant & Bar
New Chester Market
Nunsmere Hall Hotel
Pastry Pédaleur
The Forge Chester
Warrington Market
Team of the Year
Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement
The Ice Cream Farm
Arkle, The Chester Grosvenor
The Plant Team, Chester Zoo
The Sales & Marketing Team, Wychwood Park Hotel & Golf Club
The Spa Team at Rookery Hall Hotel and Spa
Volunteers, Storyhouse
Unsung Hero Award
Abbi Beddal, Oddfellows Chester
Alex McGinn, Chester Zoo
Archie Thompson, Flat Cap Hotels
Barry Littler, The Chester Grosvenor
Jacob Maudsley, Storyhouse
John Budworth, Norton Priory Museum and Gardens
Peter Rosenfeld, BusyBus
Stephan Swiegers, The North Wing at Combermere Abbey
Visitor Attraction of the Year
Beeston Castle and Woodland Park
Cheshire Outdoors Group
Chester Cathedral
Norton Priory Museum and Gardens
Chester Zoo
Escapism Chester
The Ice Cream Farm
Walton Hall and Gardens
Wedding Venue of the Year
Chester Zoo
Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa
Rookery Hall Hotel and Spa
Peckforton Castle
Walton Hall and Gardens Wychwood Park Hotel
