The first finalists of the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2027 have been announced

The first group of finalists in the running for the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2027, were announced today by awards organisers and leaders of the county’s LVEP (Local Visitor Economy Partnership), Marketing Lancashire.

The annual Lancashire Tourism Awards celebrate the very best of Lancashire’s tourism and hospitality sector and are a stepping stone to the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.

The Lancashire Tourism Awards 2027 ceremony will be held at King George’s Hall in Blackburn on Wednesday 10 February 2027, with Headline Sponsor Blackpool & The Fylde College and Destination Sponsor Blackburn with Darwen Council.

Between now and the ceremony next February many of the finalists will be visited by secret shoppers, and all finalists will be interviewed by the Lancashire Tourism Awards expert judges; panels of experienced, impartial, tourism industry and business professionals from Lancashire and beyond.

What has been said about the awards?

Vikki Harris, Director of Marketing and Partnerships at Marketing Lancashire, said: “Each year, the Lancashire Tourism Awards shine a spotlight on the very best tourism and hospitality businesses across the county, and this year’s entrants have once again demonstrated why Lancashire is such a world-class destination. From outstanding customer service and exceptional quality to memorable visitor experiences, the standard of applications is impressive.

”Throughout the judging process, the applicants' customer service, operations, marketing activity, accessibility and sustainability credentials are examined. Many will also be visited or mystery shopped, and all will have the opportunity to meet with our expert judging panels, with the process aligned to VisitEngland’s nationally recognised standards and guidelines.

”As always, our finalists represent the breadth and strength of Lancashire’s visitor economy. They include well-established businesses that continue to innovate and grow, alongside exciting new ventures that are already making a real impact, delighting visitors and building strong customer loyalty from the very beginning.”

“We wish them all luck on their awards journey and can’t wait to congratulate the winners at the ceremony next year, in the beautifully renovated King George’s Hall in Blackburn.”

So who are the finalists?

The first group of finalists are:

Accessible and Inclusive Tourism*  

• Affinity Lancashire, Fleetwood 
• Axes to Ashes, Colne 
• Sandcastle Waterpark Blackpool 
• The Bond Hotel, Blackpool 

Business Events Venue*  

• Burnley Football Club Conference & Events 
• Holmes Mill, Clitheroe 
• Stanley House Hotel & Spa, Mellor 
• Wedding & Events at Ribby Hall Village, Wrea Green 
• Winter Gardens Blackpool 

Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park*

• Bay View Holiday Park, Carnforth 
• Donkey Creek Farm Caravan Park, Freckleton 
• Little Oakhurst Boutique Glamping, Clitheroe 
• Stanley Villa Farm Fishing & Camping, Greenhalgh 
• The Secret Garden Glamping, Skelmersdale 

 Cultural Venue / Organisation 

• Burnley Mechanics Theatre 
• The Harris (Preston City Council), Preston 
• The Lowther Pavilion Theatre & Gardens, Lytham 
• The Whitaker Museum and Art Gallery, Rawtenstall 
• Towneley Hall Museum & Art Gallery, Burnley 
• Winter Gardens Blackpool

Dog Friendly Business 

• Affinity Lancashire, Fleetwood 
• Horses and Ponies Protection Association, Briercliffe 
• The Lawrence, Padiham 

 Experience of the Year*

• Go Ape Rivington - Treetop Challenge 
• Inch Perfect Trials - Motorcycle Trials Bike Experience Day, Whitewell 
• Live History - The Georgian & Regency Tour of Lancaster  

Family owned/run business 

• 1842 & Ivory Tower, Preston 
• Aroma Asian Restaurant, Burnley  
• Little Italy Truly Authentic, Colne 
• The Fence Gate, Fence 

Hotel Wedding Venue 

• Fence Gate Lodge, Fence 
• Mitton Hall, Mitton 
• Stanley House Hotel & Spa, Mellor 
• The Clifton Arms Hotel Lytham 

Large Hotel*  

• Craig Y Don Hotel, Blackpool 
• Hampton by Hilton Blackburn 
• Hotel Sheraton, Blackpool 
• The Clifton Arms Hotel Lytham 
• The Ruskin Hotel, Blackpool 

Large Visitor Attraction* 

• Pleasure Beach Resort, Blackpool 
• RSPB Leighton Moss and Morecambe Bay nature reserve, Silverdale 
• Sandcastle Waterpark Blackpool 
• The Harris (Preston City Council), Preston 
• WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, Burscough 

New Tourism Business*  

• Axes to Ashes, Colne 
• Bailey Huts, Great Mitton 
• Beurre Patisserie, St Annes 
• La Mancha Hall, Ormskirk 
• Longridge House, Longridge 
• Springbank Manor, Darwen 

 Pub of the Year* 

• The Coach & Horses, Bolton-by-Bowland 
• The Fence Gate, Fence 
• Toll House Inn, Toll House Inn 

Self-Catering Accommodation*  

• Coastal Places - Chymes Holiday Flats, St Annes 
• Holiday Ribble Valley, Langho 
• La Mancha Hall, Ormskirk 
• Laythams Holiday Lets Retreat, Slaidburn 

Small Serviced Accommodation*  

• Fence Gate Lodge, Fence 
• The Claremont, St Annes 
• The Coach & Horses, Bolton-by-Bowland 
• The Lawrence Hotel, Padiham 

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year* 

• Astley Hall, Coach House and Park, Chorley 
• Go Ape Blackburn 
• Kingfisher Cruises, Lancaster 
• Spitfire Visitor Centre, Blackpool 

Taste of Lancashire*  

• Hickory’s Smokehouse, Hutton 
• Little Italy Truly Authentic, Colne 
• sō-lō, Aughton 
• The HAPPA Café, Briercliffe 

Wedding Venue  

• Eaves Hall, West Bradford 
• The Out Barn, Waddington 
• Weddings at Ribby Hall Village, Wrea Green 

* Winners in these categories have the opportunity to compete in the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2027.

Applications for the categories of Large Event, Small Event, Unsung Hero* and Hospitality and TourismStudent awards do not close until Monday, September 14 2026.

Further details

Sponsors of the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2027 confirmed so far include returning sponsors: B&D Print Services, Blackpool Gazette, Conferences & Events at Burnley Football Club, Harrison Drury, Insight6, Lancashire Business View, Lancashire Life, Lancashire Post, Lancashire Telegraph, Links Signs & Graphics, NPD, Pure Elegance, PM+M.

If you would like to support or sponsor the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2027, please contact Maria Moriarty-Eames at [email protected].

For more details and application forms for the categories that are still open, go to www.Lancashiretourismawards.com .

For all the latest news and updates follow #LTA27 @MarketingLancs on X and on LinkedIn.