Finalists for 2026 Tourism Awards revealed

More than fifty of the area’s best tourism, hospitality and leisure businesses will go head-to-head at the 2026 Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Tourism Awards.

Sponsored by the University of Staffordshire, the awards received a record 155 entries from across the region. This number has been whittled down to 51 to help decide the shortlist of finalists in the 20 categories.  

The winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony at Statfold Country Park in Tamworth on Thursday 19 March 2026.

Many of the ‘Gold’ winners will go on to represent Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent at the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence taking place in June 2026.

Hayley Coles, Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture at Staffordshire County Council, said:

“It’s fantastic to see such an outstanding range of attractions, venues and businesses shortlisted for this year’s final in March and I’m incredibly proud to see so many of them representing Staffordshire.

“Our visitor economy continues to go from strength to strength, up by 35% since before the pandemic, which is a remarkable achievement. This growth is driven by the incredible dedication of our tourism sector, whose commitment to delivering high‑quality customer experiences truly sets Staffordshire apart.

“These businesses are not only jewels in our county’s crown, they are the backbone of Staffordshire’s economy, supporting jobs, strengthening our communities, and showcasing everything that makes our county so special. With our central location and unique offer, we really are the nation’s playground.

“I wish all our finalists the very best of luck at the awards."

Jane Ashworth, Leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said:

"I am thrilled to see so many nominations showcasing the best that Stoke-on-Trent has to offer in leisure and hospitality at the Tourism awards.

“We are building on the amazing centenary celebrations from last year and to see places like World of Wedgwood, Titanic Brewery and Middleport Pottery shortlisted demonstrate how our city continues to thrive and be a great place for people to live and visit."

Martin Tideswell, Director of Commercial Strategy at the University of Staffordshire, said:

“We are delighted to be headline sponsor of the Visit Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Tourism Awards once again this year. Staffordshire is a fantastic place to study, work, live and visit. With a rich heritage, beautiful countryside and vibrant culture there really is something for everyone”.  

“These awards are a brilliant opportunity to celebrate the businesses, entrepreneurs and innovators who continue to put Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent on the map and make our region such a fantastic part of the country.” 

Lauren Jones, Head of Sales and Marketing at Statfold Country Park, said:

"Statfold Country Park is very excited to host the Visit Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Tourism Awards. We are a smaller but emerging venue within the region and the opportunity to showcase our venue whilst celebrating the outstanding people and businesses that make our region such a special place to visit is brilliant.

“We look forward to welcoming some of the very best within the industry and hope to work closely as we develop the tourism offering within Staffordshire."

The 2026 competition finalists are:

Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award:

• Alton Towers Resort
• National Memorial Arboretum
• Trentham Estate

Business Events Venue of the Year:

• Beaconside Conferencing & Events centre
• Bet 365 Stadium, Stoke City FC
• Moddershall Oaks Country Spa Retreat
• Hilton, St George’s Park
• Uttoxeter Racecourse

Camping, Glamping & Holiday Park of the Year, sponsored by Trentham Estate:

• Park Hill Farm, Newcastle-under-Lyme
• Quarry Walk Park, Staffordshire Moorlands

Experience of the Year:

• Distillery Tour and Tasting Experience, SIXTOWNS by Bros Distillery
• Introduction to Throwing, World of Wedgwood
• Moddershall Luxe Spa Stay, Moddershall Oaks Country Spa Retreat
• Polar Bear Experience, Peak Wildlife Park
• Rural Retreat Two Night Spa Stay, Hoar Cross Hall

Food & Drink Retailer/FarmShop:

• Denstone Hall Farm Shop, near Uttoxeter
• Mangia Mangia Deli, Lichfield
• Titanic Brewery

International Tourism Award, sponsored by University of Staffordshire:

• Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, Keele
• McArthur Glen Designer Shopping Outlet, West Midlands
• World of Wedgwood

Large Hotel of the Year:

• CBeebies Land Hotel, Alton Towers Resort
• Courtyard by Marriott, Keele
• Doubletree by Hilton, Stoke-on-Trent
• Hoar Cross Hall, near Burton upon Trent
• The Tawny Hotel, near Leek

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year, sponsored by University of Staffordshire:

• Alton Towers Resort
• National Memorial Arboretum
• Peak Wildlife Park
• The Trentham Estate
• World of Wedgwood

New Tourism Business of the Year, sponsored by Staffordshire Means Business:

• Desire Cocktail Bar, Stoke-on-Trent
• Hockerhill Playbarn, South Staffordshire
• Philip Astley Project CIC, Newcastle-under-Lyme
• Whitmore Lakes, Newcastle-under-Lyme

Pub of the Year:

• Fitzherbert Arms, Swynnerton
• The Littleton Arms, Penkridge
• The Knot Inn, Rushton Spencer
• The Little George, Eccleshall
• The Trooper at Wall

Regenerative Tourism Award, sponsored by Shepherd PR:

• Eagle House, Eccleshall
• Peak Wildlife Park, Staffordshire Moorlands
• The Brampton Museum

Rising Star, sponsored by Stoke-on-Trent College:

• Isabella Ranwell, Mangia Mangia Deli, Lichfield
• Kimberleigh Cyster, National Memorial Arboretum
• Poppy Gascoine, Desire Cocktail Bar, Stoke-on-Trent
• Slava Marynchenko, NSCG College & Lowe’s on Carter Street

Self Catering Accommodation of the Year:

• ABC Boat Hire, Kings Orchard Marina, Lichfield
• Dalraddy Cottage, Cannock Chase
• Eagle House Apartment, Eccleshall
• Ford Wetley Cottage, Staffordshire Moorlands

Small Serviced Accommodation of the Year:

• Eagle House, Eccleshall
• Fitzherbert Farmhouse, Swynnerton
• Moddershall Oaks Country Spa Retreat
• The Black Lion Inn, Butterton, Near Leek
• The Little George, Eccleshall
• The Upper House Hotel, Barlaston
• Walnut House at The Duncombe Arms, Ellastone

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year sponsored by RH Advertising:

• Emma Bridgewater
• Middleport Pottery
• The Brampton Museum
• WILD Zoological Park

Taste of England - Casual Dining Award, sponsored by NSCG Colleges Group:

• Poms Lichfield
• The Black Lion Inn, Butterton
• The Royal Oak, Rushton Spencer
• The Star at Cotton, near Cheadle
• Thyme Kitchen, Lichfield

Taste of England - Restaurant of the Year, sponsored by Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce:

• Larder Brasserie, Lichfield
• Lowe’s on Carter Street, Uttoxeter
• Lunar Restaurant, Barlaston
• The Plumicorn at the Tawny, near Leek

Taste of England - Tea Room & Coffee Shop of the Year:

• Denstone Hall Farm Café
• Poms Barton Marina
• The Packing House Café, Middleport Pottery
• World of Wedgwood Tea Room

Team of the Year:

• Moddershall Oaks Country Spa Retreat
• Peak Wildlife Park
• Play @ Lower Drayton Farm
• World of Wedgwood

Unsung Hero Award, sponsored by Screen Staffordshire:

• Duncan Coleman, Trentham Estate
• George Lowe, Lowe’s on Carter Street
• Karen Johnson, Alton Towers Resort
• Keith Harrison, Gatehouse Theatre
• Mark Wisdom, Poms Lichfield
• Sophie Galentini, Hockerhill Adventure Playbarn

For more information, visit www.enjoystaffordshire.com/awards or contact Kim Hill at Visit Staffordshire on 01785 277261 or tourism@staffordshire.gov.uk

Ends