The annual Lancashire Tourism Awards took place earlier last night, revealing the brightest and best businesses and individuals working in the county’s tourism sector.
This year’s awards were held at the new Blackpool Conference and Exhibition Centre, supported by Headline Sponsor University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and Destination Sponsor Visit Blackpool.
Several East Lancashire businesses were praised at the ceremony, including Crow Wood Hotel and Spa Resort in Burnley, which received this year’s special recognition award.
A spokesperson for the hotel said: “We're delighted to have won Lancashire Tourism Awards’ special recognition award, proudly selected by the judges across all of the finalists.
“We'd like to say a big thank you to all of our guests as well as our teams across the Crow Wood Resort in making Crow Wood a great place to be.”
Oakdean Cottages in Langho won self-catering accommodation of the year.
Manager Anna Davies said: “We are over the moon to have won our Lancashire Tourism Award.
“Sue and Ian Sherrington converted some old sheds into the beautiful Oakdean Cottages 10 years ago when they retired and have since welcomed hundreds of visitors to the Ribble Valley from all over the world.
“We now run them together, entirely focused on creating the perfect home from home for our guests.
“We aren’t huge and so didn’t think we had a chance of winning in such a prestigious category, but we did.
“We are hugely thankful to Marketing Lancashire and honoured to be in the company of our fellow finalists and winners.”
Hedgerow Luxury Glamping, in Newsholme, won the ethical, responsible and sustainable tourism award.
A spokesperson said: “We were totally out of our comfort zone entering this award, but desperate to show everyone that hybrid glamping sites are the future.
"Now, we get represent Lancashire at the national awards.
“We are lost for words which doesn’t happen often.
“Thank you to our amazing team. Working to be sustainable isn’t always easy but we always keep going.
“Awards like these make it possible to show off what we are proud to do every day.”
Michael Huckerby, director of The Lawrence Hotel in Padiham, is thrilled to have won most dog friendly business of the year.
He said: "Dogs are part of the family now and be recognised as a venue that is leading the way in canine hospitality, as well as look after their owners, is fantastic."
Lancashire comedian Steve Royle was guest presenter and kept the audience entertained throughout with the unique style and brilliant humour that saw him reach the finals of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent.
Andrea Challis, chair of the board at Marketing Lancashire, said:“I am delighted to be here to celebrate with you all and to help the Marketing Lancashire team champion the very best of the county’s tourism and hospitality businesses.
“I am honestly in awe of the strength and diversity of our wonderful sector here in Lancashire.”
Rachel McQueen, chief executive of Marketing Lancashire, said: “Success in 2022 was hard fought, hard won, against, quite literally, all the odds. But successes there were, and significant ones too.
“What came through loud and clear from the judges and our mystery shoppers was the tremendous hard work, determination, entrepreneurship and vision demonstrated by our tourism businesses.
“There is absolutely no shortage of pride, passion and ambition in this room, and myself and the Marketing Lancashire team look forward to working with you to support the county’s tourism and hospitality sector to thrive.”
Full list of Lancashire Tourism Awards 2023 winners:
Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award
Brickhouse Farm Holiday Cottages & Lakeside Hub, Hambleton - WINNER
The Estuary Riverside Chalets, Hambleton
Fleetwood Beach Wheelchairs
Thornton Hall Country Park, Thornton-in-Craven
Business Events Venue of the Year
Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley
Ewood Experience, Blackburn
Merlin Events, Blackpool - WINNER
The Wellbeing Farm, Edgworth
Winter Gardens Blackpool
Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year
Hedgerow Luxury Glamping, Newsholme
Newton Hall Holiday Park, Blackpool
Ribble Valley Retreat, Langho - WINNER
The Secret Garden Glamping, Skelmersdale
Stanley Villa Farm Fishing & Camping, Greenhalgh
Cultural Venue/Organisation Award
Lancaster Grand Theatre
Samlesbury Hall
Winter Gardens Blackpool - WINNER
Dog Friendly Business of the Year
Bella Vista Lodge, Blackpool
The Golden Ball of Longton
HAPPA, Shores Hey Farm, Briercliffe
The Lawrence Hotel, Padiham - WINNER
Mowbreck Holiday Park, Wesham
Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award
Hedgerow Luxury Glamping, Newsholme - WINNER
Laythams Holiday Lets Retreat, Slaidburn
The Wellbeing Farm, Edgworth
Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours
Experience of the Year
Blackpool Pleasure Beach ‘Walk The…’ Experiences - WINNER
Countryside & Culinary Breaks at Dale House Barn, Slaidburn
Goosnargh Gin School Experience Days
Inch Perfect Trials Experience Day, Whitewell
Hospitality and Tourism Student of the Year
Steven Cartmell, BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Travel & Tourism at Blackpool Sixth Form College.
Sophie Lancaster, NCFE Extended Diploma Travel & Tourism at Runshaw College
Charlie Nicholls, C&G L3 Diploma in Professional Cookery at Blackpool and the Fylde College - WINNER
David Wetherill, Chef Diploma at Runshaw College
Hotel Wedding Venue of the Year
Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley
Mitton Hall, Mitton - WINNER
Mytton Fold Hotel, Langho
Stanley House Hotel & Spa, Mellor
Lancashire Perfect Stay – Small Serviced Accommodation
3 Millstones Inn, West Bradford
Dale House Barn and B&B, Slaidburn
Fence Gate Lodge, Fence - WINNER
The Lawrence Hotel, Padiham
The Royal at Heysham
Large Event of the Year Award
British Textile Biennial, East Lancashire
Christmas by the Sea, Blackpool
Highest Point Festival, Lancaster - WINNER
Santa Specials at East Lancashire Railway
Large Hotel of the Year
Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley
Foxfields Country Hotel, Whalley
Hampton by Hilton Blackpool - WINNER
Mytton Fold Hotel, Langho
New Tourism Business of the Year
The Estuary Riverside Chalets, Hambleton
Ribble Valley Retreat, Langho - WINNER
Pub of the Year
PLAU, Preston - WINNER
Shireburn Arms, Hurst Green
White Bull Oswaldtwistle
Resilience and Innovation Award
The Secret Garden Glamping, Skelmersdale
The Whitehall Hotel & Distillery, Darwen - WINNER
Winter Gardens Blackpool
Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year
Brickhouse Holiday Cottages, Hambleton
Laythams Holiday Lets Retreat, Clitheroe
Oakdean Cottages, Langho - WINNER
Small Event of the Year Award
British Country Music Festival, Blackpool
Chorley Flower Show
Dino Fest, Lancaster
Pumpkin Festival at Ridgeway Farm, Blackpool
Thornton Hall Christmas Adventure, Thornton-in-Craven - WINNER
Taste Lancashire Award
263 Restaurant, Preston - WINNER
The Coach and Horses, Bolton-by-Bowland
La Locanda, Gisburn
Taste Lancashire Producer Award
Brindle Distillery, Chorley - WINNER
Goosnargh Gin
Lancaster Brewery Spirits Company
Morecambe Bay Chowder
Unsung Hero Award
Jenna Bullows, Assistant Manager, The Whitehall Hotel and Distillery
Sharon Jones, Hall Director, Samlesbury Hall Jeremy Rowlands, Managing Director, Meat & Drink - WINNER
Visitor Attraction of the Year
The Blackpool Tower
The Flower Bowl Entertainment Centre, Brock - WINNER
Thornton Hall Country Park, Thornton-in-Craven
Wedding Venue of the Year
The Mount Pavilion, Fleetwood
The Out Barn, Waddington - WINNER
Samlesbury Hall
The Wellbeing Farm, Edgworth
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here