Staffordshire Tourism Awards 2025: More than 45 Staffordshire attractions in running for prestigious tourism awards

The attractions are among more than 45 of the county's best tourism, hospitality and leisure businesses which will go head-to-head at the Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Tourism Awards 2025 in March.

These include theme parks such as Alton Towers and Drayton Manor, parks and estates like the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas and Trentham Estate near Stoke-on-Trent and experience centres such as Nelson's Gin Distillery in Grindley and Moddershall Oaks near Stone.

The winners of the 19 categories will be announced at a black-tie awards ceremony hosted by BBC Midlands Today’s Rebecca Wood, on Thursday, March 20, at the Doubletree by Hilton Stoke-on-Trent.

Many of the ‘Gold’ winners will progress to represent Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent at the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence taking place in June.

Philip White, Cabinet Member with responsibility for tourism at Staffordshire County Council said: “The Tourism Awards are all about shining a light on our fantastic hospitality, leisure and tourism businesses and the amazing people working in them.

“The competition is a great way of recognising the diverse range of attractions, accommodation and food & drink businesses that continue to deliver outstanding customer experiences.

“The awards ceremony itself is also a brilliant event that I’m looking forward to.  It gives us a great opportunity to bring everyone together to celebrate. 

“I’d like to congratulate all those businesses shortlisted in this year’s awards and wish them the best of luck in the final.”

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Martin Tideswell, director of Commercial Strategy at the University of Staffordshire, said: “We are delighted to support the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Local Visitor Economy Partnership by sponsoring the Tourism Awards in 2025, the centenary anniversary year of Stoke-on-Trent gaining city status.

“These awards are now hailed as the biggest Shire competition in England and a testament to the outstanding businesses who continue to put Staffordshire on the map.

“As well as being a wonderful place to live, work, study and visit, Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent is recognised as a crucible of creators, entrepreneurs and innovators – something that the University is proud to support.”

The award categories and shortlisted nominees are:

Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award:

Alton Towers Resort

Brampton Museum, Newcastle-under-Lyme

National Memorial Arboretum

Trentham Estate

Business Events Venue of the Year, sponsored by Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce:

Alton Towers Resort

Drayton Manor Resort

Keele University Events & Conferencing

Weston Park

Camping, Glamping & Holiday Park of the Year:

Hales Hall Caravan & Camping Park

Quarry Walk Park

Secret Cloud House Holidays

Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism Award, sponsored by University of Staffordshire:

Alton Towers Resort

Brampton Museum, Newcastle-under-Lyme

Dorothy Clive Garden

Eagle House, Eccleshall

Hoar Cross Hall

Experience of the Year, sponsored by University of Staffordshire:

Distillery Experience, Nelson’s Distillery & School, near Uttoxeter

Dusk Beaver Safari, Trentham Estate

Tower Tours, Lichfield Cathedral

Tranquillity Spa Day, Moddershall Oaks Spa

Serenity Spa Stay, Hoar Cross Hall

International Tourism Award

World of Wedgwood

Large Hotel of the Year:

CBeebies Land Hotel, Alton Towers Resort

Courtyard by Marriott, Keele

Doubletree by Hilton, Stoke-on-Trent

Drayton Manor Hotel, Drayton Manor Resort

Hoar Cross Hall, near Burton upon Trent

The Tawny Hotel, near Leek

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year:

Alton Towers Resort

Drayton Manor Resort

National Memorial Arboretum

Peak Wildlife Park

The Trentham Estate

Waterworld Leisure Resort

World of Wedgwood

New Tourism Business of the Year:

Adventure Mini Village

Hockerhill Playbarn

Jurassic Creek Adventure Golf

Lowe’s on Carter Street

Pub of the Year:

Den Engel, Leek

Fitzherbert Arms, Swynnerton

The Duncombe Arms, Ellastone

The Knot Inn, Rushton Spencer

Rising Star, sponsored by Stoke-on-Trent College:

Daniel West – The Upper House Hotel

Kirsty Holland – Alton Towers Resort

Max Croston – Newcastle & Stafford Colleges Group

Orion Hunte – Courtyard by Marriott Keele

Patrick Brown – Peak Wildlife Park

Self Catering Accommodation of the Year:

ABC Boat Hire, Kings Orchard Marina, Lichfield

Consall Valley Lodge, near Leek

Eagle House Apartment, Eccleshall

Ford Wetley Cottage, near Leek

Weston Park Holiday Cottages, Weston-under-Lizard

Small Serviced Accommodation of the Year:

Eagle House, Eccleshall

The Little George, Eccleshall

Walnut House at The Duncombe Arms, Ellastone

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year:

Brampton Museum, Newcastle-under-Lyme

Dorothy Clive Garden, near Newcastle-under-Lyme

Middleport Pottery, Stoke-on-Trent

Tamworth Castle, Tamworth

Taste of England - Casual Dining Award:

The Grosvenor Restaurant at Hales Hall, Cheadle

The Star at Cotton, near Cheadle

Thyme Kitchen, near Lichfield

Ye Olde Rock Inn, near Leek

Taste of England - Restaurant of the Year:

Lowe’s on Carter Street, Uttoxeter

Lunar Restaurant, Barlaston

The Oak House at Moddershall Oaks, near Stone

The Plumicorn at the Tawny, near Leek

Willow, Trentham Estate

Taste of England - Tea Room & Coffee Shop of the Year:

Denstone Hall Farm Café, Denstone near Uttoxeter

Poms Lichfield

The Little George, Eccleshall

World of Wedgwood Tea Room, Stoke-on-Trent

Team of the Year:

Brampton Museum Team

Doubletree by Hilton – Revenue, Sales & Marketing Team

Lowe’s on Carter Street Team

Newcastle & Stafford Colleges Group – Riverbank Restaurant Team

Unsung Hero Award:

David Hunter – Nelson’s Distillery & School

Jodie Knapper – Trentham Estate

Jonathan Fowler – Thyme Kitchen

Stephen Waring – Alton Towers Resort