First finalists for 2022 tourism awards revealed

Marketing Lancashire has announced the first finalists in the annual Lancashire Tourism Awards, with around 50 businesses now progressing to the next stage of the competition in 17 categories.

Rachel McQueen, chief executive of Marketing Lancashire, said: "It was always going to take time for the sector to recover from the last couple of years, but if there was ever a good sign that Lancashire tourism is bouncing back, it is in the calibre and creativity of this year’s finalists in the Lancashire Tourism Awards.

"They represent the very best of the county’s accommodation, attractions and hospitality businesses and, in this first stage of the competition, have demonstrated healthy bookings, improvements to their visitor offer and some truly ambitious plans for the future – which are all very exciting.

“Lancashire’s tourism and hospitality businesses are nothing short of remarkable in their resilience and innovation and we look forward to celebrating with all the finalists and our supporters at the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2022 event in the new year."

The finalists announced today will now go through to the next stages of the competition which includes mystery shopping in some cases, followed by a presentation and interview with a panel of judges for all.

The judges are experts drawn from the tourism and hospitality sector and from a wide range of successful business backgrounds. Three categories, the Small and Large Event of the Year, and Taste Lancashire Producer award remain open for applications until Sunday 18 September, and the finalists in these categories will be announced the week beginning 26 September.

The finalists in the Unsung Hero award, recognising an individual working for a tourism business who excels in their role and deserves to be applauded for their work and commitment to the industry, will be announced shortly.

All finalists will meet and be interviewed by the judges in early November, with the awards ceremony due to take place at the start of 2023.

List of finalists so far

Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award *
Brickhouse Farm Holiday Cottages & Lakeside Hub, Hambleton
The Estuary Riverside Chalets, Hambleton
Fleetwood Beach Wheelchairs
Thornton Hall Country Park, Thornton-in-Craven

Business Events Venue of the Year *
Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley
Ewood Experience, Blackburn
Merlin Events, Blackpool
The Wellbeing Farm, Edgworth
Winter Gardens Blackpool

Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year *
Hedgerow Luxury Glamping, Newsholme
Newton Hall Holiday Park, Blackpool
Ribble Valley Retreat, Langho
The Secret Garden Glamping, Skelmersdale
Stanley Villa Farm Fishing & Camping, Greenhalgh

Cultural Venue/Organisation Award
Lancaster Grand Theatre
Samlesbury Hall
Winter Gardens Blackpool

Dog Friendly Business of the Year
Bella Vista Lodge, Blackpool
The Golden Ball of Longton
HAPPA, Shores Hey Farm, Briercliffe
The Lawrence Hotel, Padiham
Mowbreck Holiday Park, Wesham

Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award *
Hedgerow Luxury Glamping, Newsholme
Laythams Holiday Lets Retreat, Slaidburn
The Wellbeing Farm, Edgworth

Experience of the Year *
Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours
Blackpool Pleasure Beach ‘Walk The…’ Experiences
Countryside & Culinary Breaks at Dale House Barn, Slaidburn
Goosnargh Gin School Experience Days
Inch Perfect Trials Experience Day, Whitewell

Hotel Wedding Venue of the Year
Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley
Mitton Hall, Mitton
Mytton Fold Hotel, Langho
Stanley House Hotel & Spa, Mellor

Lancashire Perfect Stay – Small Serviced Accommodation *
3 Millstones Inn, West Bradford
Dale House Barn and B&B, Slaidburn
Fence Gate Lodge, Fence
The Lawrence Hotel, Padiham
The Royal at Heysham

Large Hotel of the Year *
Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley
Foxfields Country Hotel, Whalley
Hampton by Hilton Blackpool
Mytton Fold Hotel, Langho

New Tourism Business of the Year *
The Estuary Riverside Chalets, Hambleton
Ribble Valley Retreat, Langho

Pub of the Year *
PLAU, Preston
Shireburn Arms, Hurst Green
White Bull Oswaldtwistle

Resilience and Innovation Award *
The Secret Garden Glamping, Skelmersdale
The Whitehall Hotel & Distillery, Darwen
Winter Gardens Blackpool

Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year *
Brickhouse Holiday Cottages, Hambleton
Laythams Holiday Lets Retreat, Clitheroe
Oakdean Cottages, Langho

Taste Lancashire Award *
263 Restaurant, Preston
The Coach and Horses, Bolton-by-Bowland
La Locanda, Gisburn

Visitor Attraction of the Year *
The Blackpool Tower
The Flower Bowl Entertainment Centre, Brock
Thornton Hall Country Park, Thornton-in-Craven

Wedding Venue of the Year
The Mount Pavilion, Poulton
The Out Barn, Waddington
Samlesbury Hall
The Wellbeing Farm, Edgworth

*The winners in these categories have the chance to progress to the national Visit England Awards for Excellence.