Staffordshire’s tourism award scheme has received a record number of entries this year, with more than 50 businesses now revealed as finalists.
The Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Tourism Awards 2026 attracted 155 entries and winners will be announced in 20 categories at a special ceremony at Statfold Country Park, in Tamworth, on Thursday 19 March.
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.
Several of the shortlisted tourism, hospitality and leisure businesses have made it to the finals in recent years with those such as the National Memorial Arboretum, in Alrewas, and The Fitzherbert Arms, Swynnerton, returning to defend their titles of Large Visitor Attraction of the Year and Pub of the Year respectively.
But businesses hoping for their first taste of success in the campaign include Lichfield’s new Italian deli Mangia Mangia, Stoke-on-Trent nightspot Desire Cocktail Bar and Wild Zoological Park at the Halfpenny Green Wine Estate, near Wombourne, in South Staffordshire.
The shortlist is:
| Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award: – Alton Towers Resort, Alton. – National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas. – The Trentham Estate, Trentham. | Regenerative Tourism Award: – Eagle House, Eccleshall. – Peak Wildlife Park, near Leek. – The Brampton Museum, Newcastle-under-Lyme. |
| Business Events Venue of the Year: – Beaconside Conferencing and Events Centre, Stafford. – Bet 365 Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent. – Moddershall Oaks Country Spa Retreat, near Stone. – Hilton at St George’s Park, Burton upon Trent. – Uttoxeter Racecourse, Uttoxeter. | Rising Star: – Isabella Ranwell, Mangia Mangia Deli, Lichfield. – Kimberleigh Cyster, National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas. – Poppy Gascoine, Desire Cocktail Bar, Stoke-on-Trent. – Slava Marynchenko, NSCG College and Lowe’s on Carter Street, Uttoxeter. |
| Camping, Glamping & Holiday Park of the Year: – Park Hill Farm, Newcastle-under-Lyme. – Quarry Walk Park, Alton. | Self Catering Accommodation of the Year: – ABC Boat Hire, Kings Orchard Marina, Lichfield. – Dalraddy Cottage, Cannock Chase. – Eagle House Apartment, Eccleshall. – Ford Wetley Cottage, near Leek. |
| Experience of the Year: – Distillery Tour and Tasting Experience, SIXTOWNS by Bros Distillery, Barlaston. – Introduction to Throwing, World of Wedgwood, Barlaston. – Moddershall Luxe Spa Stay, Moddershall Oaks Country Spa Retreat, near Stone. – Polar Bear Experience, Peak Wildlife Park, near Leek. – Rural Retreat Two Night Spa Stay, Hoar Cross Hall, near Burton upon Trent. | Small Serviced Accommodation of the Year: – Eagle House, Eccleshall. – Fitzherbert Farmhouse, Swynnerton. – Moddershall Oaks Country Spa Retreat, near Stone. – The Black Lion Inn, Butterton, near Leek. – The Little George, Eccleshall. – The Upper House Hotel, Barlaston. – Walnut House at The Duncombe Arms, Ellastone. |
| Food & Drink Retailer/Farm Shop: – Denstone Hall Farm Shop, near Uttoxeter. – Mangia Mangia Deli, Lichfield. – Titanic Brewery, Stoke-on-Trent. | Small Visitor Attraction of the Year: – Emma Bridgewater, Stoke-on-Trent. – Middleport Pottery, Stoke-on-Trent. – The Brampton Museum, Newcastle-under-Lyme. – WILD Zoological Park, near Wombourne. |
| International Tourism Award: – Courtyard by Marriott Keele, Keele. – McArthurGlen West Midlands, Cannock. – World of Wedgwood, Barlaston. | Taste of England – Casual Dining Award: – Poms, Lichfield. – The Black Lion Inn, Butterton, near Leek. – The Royal Oak, Rushton Spencer. – The Star at Cotton, near Cheadle. – Thyme Kitchen, near Lichfield. |
| Large Hotel of the Year: – CBeebies Land Hotel, Alton Towers Resort, Alton. – Courtyard by Marriott, Keele. – Doubletree by Hilton Stoke-on-Trent. – Hoar Cross Hall, near Burton upon Trent. – The Tawny Hotel, near Leek. | Taste of England – Restaurant of the Year: – Larder Brasserie, Lichfield. – Lowe’s on Carter Street, Uttoxeter. – Lunar Restaurant, Barlaston. – The Plumicorn at The Tawny, near Leek. |
| Large Visitor Attraction of the Year: – Alton Towers Resort, Alton. – National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas. – Peak Wildlife Park, near Leek. – The Trentham Estate, Trentham. – World of Wedgwood, Barlaston. | Taste of England – Tea Room & Coffee Shop of the Year: – Denstone Hall Farm Café, near Uttoxeter. – Poms Barton Marina, Barton-under-Needwood. – The Packing House Café, Middleport Pottery, Stoke-on-Trent. – World of Wedgwood Tea Room, Barlaston. |
| New Tourism Business of the Year: – Desire Cocktail Bar, Stoke-on-Trent. – Hockerhill Playbarn, Brewood. – Philip Astley Project CIC, Newcastle-under-Lyme. – Whitmore Lakes, Newcastle-under-Lyme. | Team of the Year: – Moddershall Oaks Country Spa Retreat, near Stone. – Peak Wildlife Park, near Leek. – Play @ Lower Drayton Farm, Penkridge. – World of Wedgwood, Barlaston. |
| Pub of the Year: – The Fitzherbert Arms, Swynnerton. – The Littleton Arms, Penkridge. – The Knot Inn, Rushton Spencer. – The Little George, Eccleshall. – The Trooper at Wall, Lichfield. | Unsung Hero Award: – Duncan Coleman, Trentham Estate. – George Lowe, Lowe’s on Carter Street, Uttoxeter. – Karen Johnson, Alton Towers Resort, Alton. – Keith Harrison, Gatehouse Theatre, Stafford. – Mark Wisdom, Poms Lichfield. – Sophie Galentini, Hockerhill Adventure Playbarn, Brewood. |
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 per cent 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.”
The awards are sponsored by University of Staffordshire.
