SOME of Lancashire’s best hotels, restaurants, bars and attractions have been shortlisted for the county’s prestigious tourism awards.
After a year with no ceremony due to the coronavirus pandemic, organisers of the Lancashire Tourism Awards say that are ‘doubly’ excited for this year’s event.
The finalists, who are made-up of business owners from across the county, found out the good news on Thursday that they had been shortlisted. They must now prepare for an interview with judges before the winners are picked.
Some of East Lancashire’s most loved establishments have made the list, including Stanley House Hotel and Spa in Mellor, Mytton Fold in Langho and the Crow Wood Hotel and Spa Resort in Burnley.
The newly refurbished Whitaker Museum and Art Gallery in Rawtenstall also features as does Mrs Dowson’s farm.
The awards consist of 16 categories and are sponsored by the University of Central Lancashire.
Rachel McQueen, Chief Executive of Marketing Lancashire said, “Like so many other awards ceremonies in 2020, our annual celebration of excellence in Lancashire's tourism and hospitality sector was also postponed. So, this year, the team at Marketing Lancashire is doubly delighted to be announcing the finalists for the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2021.
"This year's finalists have all demonstrated their ability to overcome the challenges of operating through a pandemic, demonstrating a flexible and innovative approach to delivering quality visitor experiences, safely and responsibly.
"As an industry that thrives on shared experiences, spectacular events, warm hospitality and welcome, we have faced the demands of the last two years in true Lancashire style; our tourism businesses took stock, rolled up their sleeves, and came up with new ways of making things work - which they delivered brilliantly.
"We should be so very proud of what has been achieved and the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2021, will be the sector's opportunity to applaud those achievements together, at last.
"I, for one, can't wait to congratulate each and every one of the finalists - they are all winners in our eyes. "
The finalists will now have face-to-face interviews with the Lancashire Tourism Awards expert judging panels on Monday 6 or Tuesday 7 December at Blackburn Rovers, where the ultimate winners will be chosen.
The winners in each of the categories will be announced at the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2021 which will take place on Wednesday 2 February 2022. Location to be announced soon.
The finalists are as follows:
Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award *
Brickhouse Farm Holiday Cottages, Hambleton
Fleetwood Beach Wheelchairs
Mrs Dowsons Farm Park, Clayton-le-Dale
Camping, Glamping & Holiday Park of the Year *
Dearden Wood, Edenfield
Rossendale Holiday Cottages & Glamping
Stanley Villa Farm Fishing & Camping, Greenhalgh
Cultural Venue / Organisation of the Year
Browsholme Hall, Cow Ark
Culturapedia, Blackburn
Lowther Pavilion, Lytham St Annes
The Whitaker Museum + Art Gallery, Rawtenstall
Winter Gardens Blackpool
Dog Friendly Business of the Year
The Golden Ball of Longton
Mowbreck Holiday & Residential Park, Wesham
Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism Award *
The Bee Centre, Brindle
Lancaster House
Moss Wood Caravan Park, Cockerham
Sandcastle Waterpark Blackpool
The Wellbeing Farm, Edgworth
Experience of the Year *
The Bee Centre, Brindle
Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours
Go Ape! Rivington
Goosnargh Gin
Hotel Wedding Venue of the Year
Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley
Foxfields Country Hotel, Whalley
Mytton Fold, Langho
Stanley House Hotel & Spa, Mellor
Lancashire Perfect Stay *
The Coach & Horses, Bolton-by-Bowland
3 Millstones Inn, West Bradford
Stanley House Hotel & Spa, Mellor
Large Hotel of the Year *
Clifton Arms Hotel, Lytham
Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley
Lancaster House
Mytton Fold, Langho
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year *
Escape Entertainment Venue, Chorley
Viva Blackpool
Winter Gardens Blackpool
New Tourism Business Award *
Hampton by Hilton Blackburn
Orchard Glamping, Catterall
Ridgeway Farm Blackpool
The Secret Garden Glamping, Skelmersdale
Resilience and Innovation Award *
Briony Machin Studios, Mawdesley
Eagle and Child, Ramsbottom
Goosnargh Gin
Inch Perfect Trials, Whitewell
Thornton Hall Country Park, Thornton-in-Craven
The Whitehall Hotel & Distillery, Darwen
Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year *
Laythams Holiday Lets Retreat, Slaidburn
Ream Hills Holiday Park, Weeton
Rossendale Holiday Cottages & Glamping
Windy Harbour Holiday Park, Thornton-Cleveleys
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year *
Cedar Farm, Mawdesley
HAPPA Shores Hey Farm, Burnley
Leighton Hall, Carnforth
Mrs Dowsons Farm Park, Clayton-le-Dale
Taste Lancashire Restaurant of the Year *
La Locanda, Gisburn
Moor Hall Restaurant with Rooms, Aughton
Wilfred's Restaurant & Bar, Burnley
Wedding Venue of the Year
Bashall Barn, Bashall Eaves
Browsholme Hall, Cow Ark
The Out Barn, Bashall Eaves
The Wellbeing Farm, Edgworth
*The winners in these categories, meeting the appropriate criteria, will have the opportunity to represent Lancashire at the national Visit England Awards for Excellence.
The Lancashire Tourism Awards 2021 ceremony will take place on Wednesday 2 February 2022, location, timing and our guest presenter will be announced very soon.
For all the latest news on the awards follow @MarketingLancs #LTA21 on twitter.
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