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.