THE finalists of the Visit Worcestershire Tourism Awards have been announced after a record number of entries.

Hotels, restaurants, pubs and visitor attractions will be looking to earn one of the country's most prestigious awards.

Forty-two Worcestershire businesses have been shortlisted for the annual Tourism Awards in partnership with the Visit England Awards of Excellence.

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The awards aim to celebrate Worcestershire’s ever-growing tourism sector, which includes hotels, attractions, pubs, restaurants, glamping and camping sites, self-catering accommodation and much more.

The shortlisted businesses will now go through to the second round of judging, where independent industry professionals will decide the winners.

Winners will be announced at the annual black-tie event, hosted this year at the Ombersley Court, a brand-new Worcestershire event space, on March 15.

All Worcestershire winners will be put forward to the national Visit England Awards of Excellence, with the chance of being shortlisted amongst the best in England.

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Cllr Marc Bayliss, cabinet member for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills at Worcestershire County Council, said: “The Tourism Awards is now an established event which rewards and celebrates our business community.

"The shortlisted businesses demonstrate the quality of offering for potential visitors and the national influence that Worcestershire has for the wider visitor economy. 

"Congratulations to all shortlisted businesses, and I look forward to the event in March 2024.”

The finalists for the Visit Worcestershire Tourism Awards are: 

Business Events Venue of the Year

  • The Lygon Arms Hotel
  • Three Counties Showground
  • Stanbrook Abbey Hotel
  • Crumplebury

Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year

  • By The Red Phone Box Glamping, Camping & Cottage
  • Redhill Holidays
  • Hopleys Family Camping
  • Plum Tree Glamping

Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award

  • Safari Lodges
  • Attwell Farm Park
  • Astley Vineyard
  • Crumplebury

Experience of the Year

  • Astley Vineyard
  • Morgan Experience
  • Axe Junkies
  • Aztec Adventure
  • Piston Distillery
  • Top Escape Rooms

Large Hotel of the Year

  • The Malvern Spa
  • The Lygon Arms Hotel
  • Hogarths Stone Manor Hotel
  • Stanbrook Abbey Hotel

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year

  • Hanbury Hall (National Trust)
  • Worcester Cathedral
  • Attwell Farm Park
  • West Midland Safari Park
  • Severn Valley Railway
  • All Things Wild

New Tourism Business of the Year

  • Hidden England Escapes
  • Aztec Adventure
  • Nature's Edge Cabin

Pub of the Year

  • The Fox & Hounds at Lulsley
  • The Hadley Bowling Green
  • The Queen Elizabeth Inn
  • Stirrups

Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year

  • Treeopia
  • Alvechurch Marina
  • Malvern Escapes
  • The Old Dairy Malvern

Small Serviced Accommodation Provider of the Year

  • Brockencote Hall Hotel
  • The Elms
  • The Hadley Bowling Green
  • Eckington Manor

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year

  • Aztec Adventure
  • Morgan Experience
  • Harvington Hall
  • Churchfields Farm
  • Broadway Museum & Art Gallery
  • Wyre Forest – Forestry England

Taste of Worcestershire Award

  • The Lygon Arms Hotel - Grill by James Martin
  • The Cottage in the Wood Malvern
  • All'Angelo's
  • Green Cow Kitchens