A number of South Cheshire attractions have been crowned at the Visit Cheshire Tourism Awards 2026.
Overwater Marine near Audlem, BeWilderwood at Cholmondeley and Cheshire Boutique Barns in Nantwich were among the winners.
Hosted at Walton Hall and Gardens by ITV personalities Kelvin and Liz Fletcher, the awards showcased the best of the region’s tourism sector.
Organised by Marketing Cheshire, this year’s awards attracted a record number of entries, with judges selecting winners across 19 highly competitive categories.
The Large Visitor Attraction of the Year award went to BeWILDerwood Cheshire, the 70-acre woodland adventure park located beside Cholmondeley Castle.
Judges commended the attraction’s high standards of cleanliness and maintenance, its inclusive range of activities and equipment for families, and its commitment to responsible and sustainable tourism.
Chester Zoo won two awards, as did Nunsmere Hall Hotel in Tarporley, named Large Hotel of the Year and also Wedding Venue of the Year.
Judges praised its attractive and well-maintained grounds, spacious and tastefully decorated rooms, and high-quality food and drink offering, including locally sourced beers and gins. Staff were described as “polite, friendly and enthusiastic.”
Special Contribution to Tourism award was presented to Professor Teresa Anderson MBE, founder of the Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement.
Since opening in 2011, the centre has welcomed around 125,000 visitors annually, including significant numbers of schoolchildren.
In 2016, Professor Anderson co-founded the Bluedot Festival and played a leading role in securing UNESCO World Heritage Site status for Jodrell Bank in 2019.
Some winners will now automatically progress to the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, representing Cheshire and Warrington on the national stage.
Jamie Christon, chair of Marketing Cheshire, said: “Congratulations to all our fantastic winners.
“Latest data shows the visitor economy is worth ?4.32 billion to the Cheshire and Warrington economy and supports almost 40,000 jobs.
“So, it’s important we celebrate the contribution tourism makes to the region and our communities, and to recognise the brilliant people who are working incredibly hard in challenging times for our industry.
“The Visit Cheshire Tourism Awards really do highlight the businesses and individuals behind this success and for those going through to the national VisitEngland Awards, we wish them the very best of luck.”
The full list of winners and highly commended entries can be found below.
Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award
Circus Starr, Congleton
Best Event or Festival
Deva Fest, Cholmondeley Estate
Best Tourism Project of the Year
Tatton Park, Park and Play Summer Pass
Business Events Venue of the Year
Crewe Hall Hotel & Spa
Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year
Overwater Marina, Audlem
Experience of the Year
Walking Food Tours UK – The Taste of Chester Experience
Large Hotel of the Year
Nunsmere Hall Hotel, Tarporley – winner
Crewe Hall Hotel & Spa – highly commended
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
BeWILDerwood Cheshire – winner
Chester Zoo – highly commended
New Tourism Business of the Year
744 Experience, Tattenhall – winner
Axt Haus, Chester – highly commended
Pub of the Year
The Fishpool Inn, Delamere
Regenerative Tourism Award
Chester Zoo
Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year
Cheshire Boutique Barns, Nantwich – winner
Cheshire Boutique Bathhouse – highly commended
Small Serviced Accommodation of the Year
The Parr’s Bank Hotel, Warrington
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
VR Warehouse Ltd, Runcorn – winner
Escapism Chester – highly commended
Special Contribution to Tourism
Professor Teresa Anderson MBE
Taste of Cheshire Award
1851 Restaurant, Peckforton Castle
Team of the Year
Chester Zoo – Heart of Africa Team
Unsung Hero Award
Jayne Chapman, Farm Manager, Tatton Park
Wedding Venue of the Year
Nunsmere Hall Hotel, Tarporley – winner
Combermere Abbey Weddings – highly commended
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