Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent’s top tourism and hospitality spots have been revealed at a glittering awards ceremony.
Businesses from across the county gathered at the Doubletree by Hilton Stoke-on-Trent last night for the Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Tourism Awards.
An audience of more than 300 guests saw the winners of 20 categories announced, with the National Memorial Arboretum, in Alrewas, taking the title of Large Visitor Attraction of the Year.
Its success in the awards scheme, which is now in its 11th year, follows on from winning two golds and a silver last year and a hat trick of honours in 2023.
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year went to Middleport Pottery, in Stoke-on-Trent, while The Tawny Hotel, near Leek, was named Hotel of the Year and The Plumicorn at The Tawny was announced as Restaurant of the Year.
World of Wedgwood, in Barlaston, won the International Tourism Award and there was a prize of Experience of the Year for The Trentham Estate’s dusk beaver safari.
A special award for Outstanding Contribution to Tourism in Staffordshire was presented to Clare Furnell-King, Regional General Manager of M&T Hotels, overseeing the Doubletree by Hilton Stoke-on-Trent, in recognition of her exceptional leadership, her advocacy for the tourism industry, and her unwavering pride in Staffordshire.
The full list of winners is:
| Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award GOLD – Alton Towers Resort, Alton. SILVER – National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas. BRONZE – The Brampton Museum, Newcastle-under-Lyme. HIGHLY COMMENDED – The Trentham Estate, Trentham. | Business Events Venue of the Year GOLD – Keele University Events & Conferencing, Keele. SILVER – Alton Towers Resort. BRONZE – Drayton Manor Resort, Tamworth. HIGHLY COMMENDED – Weston Park, Weston-under-Lizard. |
| Camping, Glamping & Holiday Park of the Year: GOLD – Quarry Walk Park, Alton. SILVER – Secret Cloud House Holidays, Cauldon. BRONZE – Hales Hall Caravan & Camping Park, Cheadle. | Casual Dining Award GOLD – The Star at Cotton, near Oakamoor. SILVER – Thyme Kitchen, Lichfield. BRONZE – Ye Olde Rock Inn, near Leek. HIGHLY COMMENDED – The Grosvenor Restaurant at Hales Hall, Cheadle. |
| Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism Award GOLD – Hoar Cross Hall, near Burton upon Trent. SILVER – Alton Towers Resort. BRONZE – Dorothy Clive Garden, Willoughbridge. JOINT HIGHLY COMMENDED – Eagle House, Eccleshall. JOINT HIGHLY COMMENDED – The Brampton Museum. | Experience of the Year GOLD – Dusk Beaver Safari, The Trentham Estate. SILVER – Distillery Experience, Nelson’s Distillery & School, near Uttoxeter. JOINT BRONZE – Serenity Spa Stay, Hoar Cross Hall. JOINT BRONZE – Tower Tours, Lichfield Cathedral. HIGHLY COMMENDED – Tranquillity Spa Day, Moddershall Oaks Spa, near Stone. |
| Independent Restaurant of the Year GOLD – The Plumicorn at The Tawny. SILVER – Lunar Restaurant, Barlaston. BRONZE – Lowe’s on Carter Street, Uttoxeter. HIGHLY COMMENDED – The Oak House at Moddershall Oaks. HIGHLY COMMENDED – Willow, Trentham. | International Tourism Award GOLD – World of Wedgwood, Barlaston. |
| Large Hotel of the Year: GOLD – The Tawny Hotel. JOINT SILVER – Hoar Cross Hall. JOINT SILVER – CBeebies Land Hotel, Alton Towers Resort. JOINT BRONZE – Doubletree by Hilton, Stoke-on-Trent. JOINT BRONZE – Drayton Manor Hotel, Drayton Manor Resort. HIGHLY COMMENDED – Courtyard by Marriott, Keele. | Large Visitor Attraction of the Year: GOLD – National Memorial Arboretum. JOINT SILVER – Alton Towers Resort. JOINT SILVER – The Trentham Estate. JOINT BRONZE – World of Wedgwood. JOINT BRONZE – Drayton Manor Resort. JOINT BRONZE – Peak Wildlife Park, near Leek. HIGHLY COMMENDED – Waterworld Leisure Resort, Stoke-on-Trent. |
| New Tourism Business of the Year: GOLD – Lowe’s on Carter Street, Uttoxeter. JOINT SILVER – Adventure Mini Village, Stoke-on-Trent. JOINT SILVER – Hockerhill Playbarn, Brewood. BRONZE – Jurassic Creek Adventure Golf, near Four Ashes. | Pub of the Year: GOLD – The Fitzherbert Arms, Swynnerton. SILVER – The Duncombe Arms, Ellastone. BRONZE – The Knot Inn, Rushton Spencer. HIGHLY COMMENDED – Den Engel, Leek. |
| Rising Star GOLD – Daniel West – The Upper House Hotel, Barlaston. SILVER – Patrick Brown – Peak Wildlife Park. BRONZE – Kirsty Holland – Alton Towers Resort. JOINT HIGHLY COMMENDED – Max Croston – Newcastle & Stafford Colleges Group. JOINT HIGHLY COMMENDED – Orion Hunte – Courtyard by Marriott Keele. | Self Catering Accommodation of the Year: GOLD – Consall Valley Lodge, near Leek. SILVER – Weston Park Holiday Cottages, Weston-under-Lizard. BRONZE – ABC Boat Hire, Kings Orchard Marina, Lichfield. JOINT HIGHLY COMMENDED – Ford Wetley Cottage, near Leek. JOINT HIGHLY COMMENDED – Eagle House Apartment, Eccleshall. |
| Small Serviced Accommodation of the Year: GOLD – Walnut House at The Duncombe Arms, Ellastone. SILVER – Eagle House, Eccleshall. BRONZE – The Little George, Eccleshall. | Small Visitor Attraction of the Year: GOLD – Middleport Pottery, Stoke-on-Trent. SILVER – Tamworth Castle, Tamworth. JOINT BRONZE – The Brampton Museum. JOINT BRONZE – Dorothy Clive Garden. |
| Tea Room & Coffee Shop of the Year: GOLD – Poms, Lichfield. SILVER – World of Wedgwood Tea Room. JOINT BRONZE – Denstone Hall Farm Café, Denstone, near Uttoxeter. JOINT BRONZE – The Little George, Eccleshall. | Team of the Year: GOLD – Lowe’s on Carter Street. SILVER – Doubletree by Hilton Stoke-on-Trent – Revenue, Sales & Marketing team. BRONZE – Newcastle & Stafford Colleges Group – Riverbank Restaurant Team. HIGHLY COMMENDED – The Brampton Museum. |
| Unsung Hero Award: GOLD – David Hunter – Nelson’s Distillery & School. SILVER – Jonathan Fowler – Thyme Kitchen. BRONZE – Stephen Waring – Alton Towers Resort. HIGHLY COMMENDED – Jodie Knapper – The Trentham Estate. | Special award: Outstanding Contribution to Tourism in Staffordshire: Clare Furnell-King, Regional General Manager of M&T Hotels. |
The winners of 14 categories progress to represent Staffordshire at the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, to be held at the Brighton Dome Corn Exchange on 4 June.
Charlotte Cain, Staffordshire Investment Agency Manager at Staffordshire County Council, said: “It’s fantastic to be able to celebrate our amazing tourism sector.
“We’re attraction central, the biggest and best playground in the country and I’m incredibly proud of our tourism offer and everyone working in the sector. I would like to say a huge congratulations to all our winners and those highly commended and a big thanks to the Doubletree by Hilton Stoke-on-Trent for hosting the event.
“Tourism continues to boom here in Staffordshire, generating an estimated £2.3 billion for the local economy and employing thousands of people. This is due to the hard work and determination of our hospitality businesses to provide excellent and memorable visitor experiences.
“Once again a huge well done to the sector and good luck to our winners who now go forward to the national VisitEngland awards.”
The night’s headline sponsor was University of Staffordshire.
Disappointed to see no transport category at these awards.
Coach travel plays a vital roll in tourism.