Philip White, Cabinet Member with responsibility for tourism at Staffordshire County Council said: “The tourism awards are all about shining a light on our fantastic hospitality, leisure and tourism businesses and the amazing people working in them.

“The competition is a great way of recognising the diverse range of attractions, accommodation and food & drink businesses that continue to deliver outstanding customer experiences. The awards ceremony itself is also a brilliant event that I’m looking forward to.  It gives us a great opportunity to bring everyone together to celebrate.  I’d like to congratulate all those businesses shortlisted in this year’s awards and wish them luck in the final.”

The finalists are:

Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award:

• Alton Towers Resort
• Brampton Museum, Newcastle-under-Lyme
• National Memorial Arboretum
• Trentham Estate

Business Events Venue of the Year, sponsored by Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce:

• Alton Towers Resort
• Drayton Manor Resort
• Keele University Events & Conferencing
• Weston Park

Camping, Glamping & Holiday Park of the Year:

• Hales Hall Caravan & Camping Park
• Quarry Walk Park
• Secret Cloud House Holidays

Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism Award, sponsored by University of Staffordshire:

• Alton Towers Resort
• Brampton Museum, Newcastle-under-Lyme
• Dorothy Clive Garden
• Eagle House, Eccleshall
• Hoar Cross Hall

Experience of the Year, sponsored by University of Staffordshire:

• Distillery Experience, Nelson’s Distillery & School, near Uttoxeter
• Dusk Beaver Safari, Trentham Estate
• Tower Tours, Lichfield Cathedral
• Tranquillity Spa Day, Moddershall Oaks Spa
• Serenity Spa Stay, Hoar Cross Hall

International Tourism Award

• World of Wedgwood

Large Hotel of the Year:

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

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year:

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

New Tourism Business of the Year:

• Adventure Mini Village
• Hockerhill Playbarn
• Jurassic Creek Adventure Golf
• Lowe’s on Carter Street

Pub of the Year:

• Den Engel, Leek
• Fitzherbert Arms, Swynnerton
• The Duncombe Arms, Ellastone
• The Knot Inn, Rushton Spencer

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

• Daniel West – The Upper House Hotel
• Kirsty Holland – Alton Towers Resort
• Max Croston – Newcastle & Stafford Colleges Group
• Orion Hunte – Courtyard by Marriott Keele
• Patrick Brown – Peak Wildlife Park

Self Catering Accommodation of the Year:

• ABC Boat Hire, Kings Orchard Marina, Lichfield
• Consall Valley Lodge, near Leek
• Eagle House Apartment, Eccleshall
• Ford Wetley Cottage, near Leek
• Weston Park Holiday Cottages, Weston-under-Lizard

Small Serviced Accommodation of the Year:

• Eagle House, Eccleshall
• The Little George, Eccleshall
• Walnut House at The Duncombe Arms, Ellastone

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year:

• Brampton Museum, Newcastle-under-Lyme
• Dorothy Clive Garden, near Newcastle-under-Lyme
• Middleport Pottery, Stoke-on-Trent
• Tamworth Castle, Tamworth

Taste of England – Casual Dining Award:

• The Grosvenor Restaurant at Hales Hall, Cheadle
• The Star at Cotton, near Cheadle
• Thyme Kitchen, near Lichfield
• Ye Olde Rock Inn, near Leek

Taste of England – Restaurant of the Year:

• Lowe’s on Carter Street, Uttoxeter
• Lunar Restaurant, Barlaston
• The Oak House at Moddershall Oaks, near Stone
• The Plumicorn at the Tawny, near Leek
• Willow, Trentham Estate

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

• Denstone Hall Farm Café, Denstone near Uttoxeter
• Poms Lichfield
• The Little George, Eccleshall
• World of Wedgwood Tea Room, Stoke-on-Trent

Team of the Year:

• Brampton Museum Team
• Doubletree by Hilton – Revenue, Sales & Marketing Team
• Lowe’s on Carter Street Team
• Newcastle & Stafford Colleges Group – Riverbank Restaurant Team

 Unsung Hero Award:

• David Hunter – Nelson’s Distillery & School
• Jodie Knapper – Trentham Estate
• Jonathan Fowler – Thyme Kitchen
• Stephen Waring – Alton Towers Resort

Martin Tideswell, Director of Commercial Strategy at the University of Staffordshire, said: “We are delighted to support the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Local Visitor Economy Partnership by sponsoring the Tourism Awards in 2025, the centenary anniversary year of Stoke-on-Trent gaining city status.

“These awards are now hailed as the biggest Shire competition in England – a testament to the outstanding businesses who continue to put Staffordshire on the map.

“As well as being a wonderful place to live, work, study and visit, Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent is recognised as a crucible of creators, entrepreneurs and innovators – something that the University is proud to support.”

For more information, visit www.enjoystaffordshire.com/awards or contact Andrea Sammons at Visit Staffordshire, on 01785 276261 or to*****@***************ov.uk