The best tourist attractions in Leicestershire have been singled out at the 2022 Leicestershire Promotions Tourism and Hospitality Awards.
The event celebrated the businesses, organisations, people and attractions which have done the most to put the city and county on the national and international map.
Winners included hotels, restaurants, museums, bars and tourist trails as well as food and drinks businesses and country parks.
Best large visitor attraction was Bradgate Park, while the King Richard III Visitor Centre in Leicester city centre was named best small visitor attraction. The visitor sits on the site of the grave of Richard III which was unearthed exactly a decade ago.
Richard Everard OBE, DL, who heads up the Everards beer and pub family which has a new brewery near junction 21 of the M1, was named the Tourism Superstar.
Discover Charnwood, the destination brand created by Charnwood Borough Council, picked up the best marketing campaign while the Into the Outwoods Sculpture Trail, held at the Outwoods in Charnwood Forest, won best free event of the year.
Stonehurst Farm in Mountsorrel was commended in the small visitor attraction of the year category.
2022 Leicestershire Tourism and Hospitality Awards Winners:
New Tourism Business of the Year:
Winner, Wild Minds
Highly Commended, The Red Barn at Goadby Marwood
Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism:
Winner, National Forest EBike Holidays
Highly Commended, Donington Park Farmhouse Hotel and Wedding Venue
Rising Star:
Winner Shon Mendonza, Barceloneta
Special Commendation
Sylvia Wright, Charnwood Borough Council
Best Team:
Winner, The Moira Furnace Museum Trust
Highly Commended, 1573 Bar & Grill
Commended, The Parmar Collection
Best Marketing Campaign:
Winner, Discover Charnwood
Taste of England Award - Best Afternoon Tea:
Winner, Winstanley House
Pub of the Year:
Winner, The Stag and Hounds
Taste of England Award - Best Casual Dining Experience:
Winner, 1573 Bar & Grill
Commended, The Rutland and Derby
Taste of England Award - Best Fine Dining Experience:
Winner, Restaurant 263
Business Events Venue of the Year:
Winner, Imago Venues
Camping, Glamping, Holiday Park and Self Catering Accommodation of the Year:
Winner, Brook Meadow
Highly Commended, Ettie's Field
Small Serviced Accommodation Provider of the Year:
Winner, Breedon Hall
Highly Commended, Winstanley House
Large Hotel of the Year:
Winner, Novotel Leicester
Highly Commended, The Gresham
Best Free Event of the Year:
Winner, Into the Outwoods Sculpture Trail
Best Event / Festival of the Year - with admission charge:
Winner, The Victory Show
Highly Commended, Timber Festival
Experience of the Year:
Winner, Everards of Leicestershire Brewery Tours
Highly Commended, Greenwood Days
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year:
Winner, King Richard III Visitor Centre
Highly Commended, Windmill Farm Park
Highly Commended, Escape Coalville
Commended, Stonehurst Farm
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year:
Winner, Bradgate Park
Tourism Superstar:
Richard Everard OBE, DL
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Charnwood council’s head of leisure and culture, Sylvia Wright, was also given a special commendation for her commitment and dedication to the tourism sector for many years.
She said: “I was thrilled to receive a special commendation.
“I have always had a passion to support the local tourism economy and Charnwood is blessed with many great businesses and unique heritage to attract people to this area. Charnwood has a fascinating tale to tell.
“I would like to thank all my colleagues and our partners for their support over the years as it really is a team effort.”
Now in its 12th year, the awards are organised by Leicestershire Promotions and are the regional heat of the national Visit England Awards for Excellence.
Ten of the winners will proceed to the shortlist of the national awards. Last year, two of the regional winners went on to pick up national awards.