Tourism gems, fantastic venues, must-see attractions and unsung heroes have been named as finalists in the 2023/4 Marketing Cheshire Tourism Awards.

Organised by Marketing Cheshire, the awards recognise excellence and outstanding achievement in the region’s visitor economy.

The awards give accommodation providers, eateries and much-loved attractions the chance to show why they are a must-visit as well as highlighting just why the region’s tourism sector is among the nation’s finest.

Names of the finalists who, hailing from across Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester and Warrington sub-regions will be going for glory across a wide range of categories at the event on March 21 next year, can be revealed.

The ceremony takes place at Chester Cathedral – itself in the running for several awards.

Keenly contested categories include Wedding Venue of the Year with Chester Zoo, Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa, Peckforton Castle, Wychwood Park Hotel, Rookery Hall Hotel and Spa and Walton Hall and Gardens all hoping awards and marriage go together like a horse and carriage.

Judges will also have the tough task of picking a winner from a strong set of finalists for the Visitor Attraction of the Year award when Beeston Castle and Woodland Park, Cheshire Outdoor Group, Chester Cathedral, Chester Zoo, Escapism Chester, Norton Priory Museum and Gardens, The Ice Cream Farm and Walton Hall and Gardens will all be hoping to triumph.

While the Team of the Year category is another chance to celebrate the brilliant work that goes on behind the scenes and much-loved pubs and hotels are saluted in separate categories.

And people who make the visitor economy shine and go that extra mile in various roles across the region have been shortlisted in the Unsung Hero Award category.

Some of the winners will go on to represent Cheshire at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.

Trevor Brocklebank, chair of Marketing Cheshire and deputy chair of Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership said: “It has been another year of exceptional entries and everyone shortlisted exemplifies the work that goes on to ensure Cheshire and Warrington is a truly wonderful place to live and visit.

“Our region welcomes over 36.3 million visitors each year creating a visitor economy valued at over £3.7 billion and the finalists all play a role in this. Judges now have the unenviable task of choosing winners in each category.”

Confirmed finalists

Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award

  • Chester Cathedral
  • Lion Salt Works
  • National Trust, Quarry Bank
  • Storyhouse

Best Tourism Marketing Project of the Year

  • Chester Mystery Plays 2023
  • Judith Kerr 100: The Tiger Who Came to Tea and Mog at Tatton Park
  • Make A Sploosh at BeWILDerwood This Summer
  • Wondrous Place, Chester Zoo

Business Events Venue of the Year

  • Chester Cathedral
  • Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa
  • The Engine Rooms
  • Wychwood Park Hotel & Golf Club

Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year

  • Bradley Hall Rural Escapes
  • Lady Heyes Holiday Park
  • Manor Wood Country Caravan Park

Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award

  • Anderton Boat Lift & Visitor Centre (Canal & River Trust) 
  • Chester Cathedral
  • Chester Zoo
  • Just So Festival
  • The Hive at 52

Experience of the Year

  • A Taste of Chester Food Walking Tour, Tours Around Chester
  • Dark Chester Tour
  • Tower Tour, Chester Cathedral

Large Hotel of the Year

  • Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa
  • Rookery Hall Hotel and Spa
  • The Chester Grosvenor

Pub of the Year

  • The Lion at Malpas
  • The Pheasant Inn
  • The Swan at Tarporley
  • The Vicarage, Cranage

Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year

  • Capesthorne Hall
  • Cheshire Boutique Bathhouse
  • Enjoy the Pause Holiday Home - Pause UK

Small Serviced Accommodation Provider of the Year

  • The Bear's Paw, Warmingham
  • The Hive at 52
  • The Lion at Malpas
  • The Old Post Office by Deuce Hotels Ltd
  • The Swan at Tarporley
  • Cheshire Boutique Bathhouse
  • The Pheasant Inn

Taste of Cheshire Award

  • Artezzan Restaurant & Bar
  • New Chester Market
  • Nunsmere Hall Hotel
  • Pastry Pédaleur
  • The Forge Chester
  • Warrington Market

Team of the Year

  • Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement
  • The Ice Cream Farm
  • Arkle, The Chester Grosvenor
  • The Plant Team, Chester Zoo
  • The Sales & Marketing Team, Wychwood Park Hotel & Golf Club
  • The Spa Team at Rookery Hall Hotel and Spa
  • Volunteers, Storyhouse

Unsung Hero Award

  • Abbi Beddal, Oddfellows Chester
  • Alex McGinn, Chester Zoo
  • Archie Thompson, Flat Cap Hotels
  • Barry Littler, The Chester Grosvenor
  • Jacob Maudsley, Storyhouse
  • John Budworth, Norton Priory Museum and Gardens
  • Peter Rosenfeld, BusyBus
  • Stephan Swiegers, The North Wing at Combermere Abbey

Visitor Attraction of the Year

  • Beeston Castle and Woodland Park
  • Cheshire Outdoors Group
  • Chester Cathedral
  • Norton Priory Museum and Gardens
  • Chester Zoo
  • Escapism Chester
  • The Ice Cream Farm
  • Walton Hall and Gardens

Wedding Venue of the Year

  • Chester Zoo
  • Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa
  • Peckforton Castle
  • Walton Hall and Gardens
  • Wychwood Park Hotel
  • Rookery Hall Hotel and Spa