The Lancashire Tourism Awards 2022 - working together, we achieve more

On a very special evening in February (7/2/23), the Lancashire Tourism Awards shone a light on the county’s wonderful tourism and hospitality businesses, from amazing attractions and must-do events, to places to stay and delicious food and drink. This annual celebration acknowledges the achievements of Lancashire’s outstanding tourism sector businesses over the previous year, and gives some of the winners the opportunity to represent the county in the national Visit England Awards for Excellence.

When Andrea Challis DL, Chair of the Board of Marketing Lancashire, said in her speech that ‘working together we’re stronger and achieve more’, those involved in this celebration of Lancashire’s outstanding tourism and hospitality businesses, needed only to look around the room to see and understand, that this annual awards event is one of the brightest and best manifestations of true partnership.

The Lancashire Tourism Awards key partners were Headline Sponsor University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and Destination Sponsor Visit Blackpool, both incredible champions of Lancashire tourism, they each addressed and welcomed the audience to Blackpool’s Conference and Exhibition Centre at the Winter Gardens.  UCLan, in association with Marketing Lancashire, also introduced a new award for 2022, the Hospitality and Tourism Student of the Year award – to encourage and acknowledge the future stars of the sector.

The venue looked incredible, with table centre pieces from Creative Venue Stylist, AV company ICS Live ensured everything ran smoothly and DFC provided entertainment throughout the evening. Links Signs & Graphics provided us with our backdrops and signage, and B&D Print printed the programmes.  Our guests had great fun with the 360ﹾphoto booth platform provided by Reflections Entertainment, creating GIFS and videos of their celebrations.  Be sure to check out the gallery where you’ll also see our official photographs of the night.

The visual impact of the combined support of these businesses was there for all to see and enjoy.

The all-important award categories were sponsored by Lancashire businesses including: Harrison Drury, insight6, Lancashire Business View, Lancaster University Management School, The Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business,  Northern Print Distribution Ltd, Heckfords, Total Foodservice, Dewlay Cheese, Creative Council and Blackpool & The Fylde College. 

And, throughout the process of the competition, we had the support of media partners Lancashire Life, Lancs Live, Lancashire Post and Lancashire Telegraph, who continue to spread the news of the success of Lancashire’s stars of tourism and hospitality.

The Lancashire Tourism Awards would not have happened without the support and input of our wonderful sponsors, judges and many partners.

 – Thank you from the whole team at Marketing Lancashire –

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Read the official Press Release announcing the winners here.

Get to know our winners :

Award winning things to do in Lancashire

Flower Bowl Entertainment Centre, near Garstang – Visitor Attraction of the Year award
Try your hand at curling at England’s only dedicated curling rink, or enjoy bowling, the latest movies, crazy golf, crazy pool, shuffleboard and more.

Highest Point Festival, Lancaster – Large Event of the Year award
A relatively new event to the UK Festival scene, each year Williamsons Park in Lancaster is home to some fantastic arts and music entertainment that is well worth a watch.

Thornton Hall Country Park, Thornton in Craven – Small Event of the Year award
Winning for Thornton Hall Christmas Adventure, their fantastic Christmas event held each year on the farm, Thornton Hall also have a wide range of events and things to do throughout the year.

Blackpool Winter Gardens – Cultural Venue or Organisation of the Year award
A staple in Blackpool’s entertainment offering, Blackpool Winter Gardens host a number of brilliant shows and festivals perfect for adults and children alike.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach “Walk The…” Experiences – Experience of the Year award
Not for those who are afraid of heights! Enjoy the thrill of Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s classic rollercoasters but on foot, as you climb to the top and admire some amazing views.

Brindle Distillery, Chorley – Taste Lancashire Producer award
A warm Lancashire welcome awaits you at Brindle Distillery, the home of Cuckoo Gin, where you can experience everything from making your own gin to a distillery tour, or buy a few bottles for home.

Merlin Events Blackpool – Business Events Venue award
Winning for their business events, Merlin also have a range of fantastic attractions to visit, including The Blackpool Tower, Madame Tussauds Blackpool, SEA LIFE Blackpool and The Blackpool Dungeons.

Award winning places to stay in Lancashire

Hampton by Hilton Blackpool – Large Hotel of the Year Award
Located on Blackpool’s South Shore, close to the Pleasure Beach and Sandcastle Waterpark, the hotel offers high quality affordable rooms overlooking the Irish Sea.

Ribble Valley Retreat, Langho – New Business, and Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year award
Chose to stay in one of the two shepherds huts or the three luxury bell tents on the site while toasting marshmallows and enjoying the beautiful views across the valley.

Hedgerow Luxury Glamping, Newsholme – Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism award
Another brilliant option for glamping in the Ribble Valley, with pods featuring king size beds, rainforest showers, underfloor heating, speaker systems, Wi-Fi and private decks with hot tubs.

Oak Dean Cottages, Whalley – Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year award
If glamping isn’t your thing, Ribble Valley is also home to Oak Dean Cottages, which are surrounded by rolling hills, winding rivers and everything the Forest of Bowland has to offer.

Fence Gate Lodge, Fence – Lancashire Perfect Stay – Serviced Accommodation award
The Fence Gate Lodge combines a beautifully restored and extended grade 2 listed building. Nestled between Pendle’s most idyllic countryside set back in the village of Fence just off the A6068.

The Lawrence Hotel, Padiham – Dog Friendly Business of the Year award
If you are looking for a hotel you can enjoy with your four-legged friends then is the place to be, offering hotel rooms suitable for your pawfect pooch, and even offers doggy dinners on their menu.

Crow Wood Hotel and Spa, Burnley – Special Recognition award
Set within 40 acres of private parkland near Burnley, the hotel is a pure escape offering everything you need to really relax.

The Whitehall Hotel & Distillery, Darwen – Resilience and Innovation award
Dating back to 1898, Whitehall Hotel features sandstone frontages, panelled sweeping staircase and open fronted fireplaces, it’s a beautiful place to stay with an amazing reputation for customer care.

Brickhouse Farm Holiday Cottages and Lakeside Hub, Hambleton – Accessible and Inclusive Tourism award
Offering 12 accessible self-catering cottages for people to enjoy, alongside an accessible hydrotherapy pool and Lakeside Bistro offering all the features required for wheelchair users.

Award winning restaurants and pubs in Lancashire

Lancashire’s bars and restaurants are no strangers to awards, with the region home to Michelin Star restaurants and featuring on many national lists for their offering. You can read all about the award winning places to eat on our dedicated blog post, however two very special venues were recognised further at the Lancashire Tourism Awards.

263, Preston – Taste Lancashire award
This restaurant offers a fine dining establishment with a more laid back atmosphere. Each menu encompasses the best of Lancashire produce, making it perfect to taste what the region has to offer.

PLAU, Preston – Pub of the Year award
A gin and beer house like no other, with history back to the 18th century. It has one of the largest selection beer in Preston, amongst its haunted vaults, hidden rooms and rooftop terrace and bistro. Founder Jeremy Rowland also took away the Unsung Hero award for his commitment to saving heritage venues across the city.

Award winning places to wed in Lancashire

Mitton Hall, Ribble Valley – Hotel Wedding Venue of the Year
A charming country manor retreat known for its fantastic wedding packages, picture perfect gardens and views across the River Ribble and the scenery beyond.

The Out Barn, Clitheroe – Wedding Venue of the Year
A dedicated venue just for making your day perfect set in 360 acres of countryside, perfect for a rustic wedding with contemporary touches.

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In addition to these awards, a new award was presented this year in conjunction with UCLan. The Hospitality and Tourism Student of the Year award went to Charlie Nichols, a Blackpool and The Fylde College student studying a C&G L3 Diploma in Professional Cookery. There was strong competition for the award’s first year and the judges agreed that David Wetherill, a student on the Chef Diploma course at Runshaw College should also be commended, and he was presented with a special certificate on the night too.  Read about all the finalists in this category here.