Winners of Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026 announced

Lancashire's finest tourism and hospitality businesses were in the spotlight at the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026, held at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool.

The annual awards, organised by Marketing Lancashire, the county’s LVEP (Local Visitor Economy Partnership) was a showcase for the county's leading tourism, hospitality and food and drink businesses.  

The ceremony was opened by Vikki Harris, marketing and partnerships director of Marketing Lancashire who welcomed colleagues, sponsors and guests to the only county-wide celebration dedicated to Lancashire's £5.7bn visitor economy.

Lancashire Business View were one of the sponsors of the event.

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 added: "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.

She said: "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 five 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.

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 and 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 and 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 and 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 Produce 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 and 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 and Spa, Barton

Big Blue Hotel, Pleasure Beach Resort, Blackpool

Crow Wood Hotel and 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 and Grill, Oswaldtwistle

The Black Bull, Old Langho

The Royal Dyche, Burnley - WINNER

Experience of the Year*

Bowland and Bay - Artisan Foodie Adventures, Scorton

HAPPA- Horses and Ponies Protection Association, Own A Pony Day, Briercliffe - WINNER

Lancaster Walks, Talks and Tours

Cultural Venue / Organisation

The Dukes, Lancaster

The Lowther Pavilion Theatre and Gardens, Lytham – WINNER

The Whitaker Museum and Art Gallery, Rawtenstall

Winter Gardens Blackpool

Hotel Wedding Venue of the Year

Crow Wood Hotel and Spa Resort, Burnley

Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel and Spa, Clayton-le-Moors

Ribby Hall Weddings, Wrea Green

Stanley House Hotel and 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 and Events Manager, Affinity Lancashire