Full list of East Lancs finalists in Tourism Awards 2023

Blackburn Cathedral and King George's Hall have both received a nomination for best cultural venue.

They are up against The Dukes in Lancaster and The Whitaker Museum and Art Gallery in Rawtenstall, and Winter Gardens Blackpool in Blackpool.

Marketing Lancashire, organisers of Lancashire’s county-wide awards for tourism and hospitality businesses, announced the first of the finalists in the competition.

The annual awards recognise the success and achievements of Lancashire’s tourism and hospitality businesses in a wide range of categories with most of the winners in these regional awards then progressing to the national Visit England Awards for Excellence. 

The Lancashire Tourism Awards 2023 ceremony, announcing all the winners,  will take place at King Georges Hall in Blackburn next February.

Councillor Phil Riley, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “I’m a big believer that having a high quality cultural offer is crucial for prosperity.  It’s great to hear two very important venues in Blackburn have made the short list."

Vikki Harris, Marketing Lancashire’s director of marketing and partnerships said: “The finalists announced today have reached an important stage in their journey towards being named Lancashire’s best in class.

“Most will now be ‘mystery shopped’ by industry professionals, who will report their findings to our independent judges. They will then be invited for interview with a panel of judges in November, who have the challenge of deciding this year’s winners.

“Each year we are impressed by the high standards of the businesses entering the competition and this year is no different. Lancashire’s tourism and hospitality businesses are amongst the most resilient, innovative and hard-working in the county and it will be such a thrill to see their achievements and successes rewarded at the ceremony in Blackburn, next February.”

Professor Steven Rhoden, dean of the school of business at UCLan said: “As headline sponsor of the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2023, the team at the UCLan school of business is now looking forward to playing a key role in the judging process, to find the county’s best performing tourism and hospitality businesses of the last year.

“It is so encouraging to see the number and calibre of applicants in every category so far and, with the Hospitality and Tourism Student of the Year Award open for applications until September, there’s still ample time for students of tourism and hospitality to enter.

“Today’s students are the sector’s leaders and colleagues of the future and the skill and enterprise that they demonstrate today, is of great interest and importance to Lancashire’s thriving visitor economy employers.  

"I would encourage students from across the county to consider applying as the process will be rewarding, will build confidence and give further insight into working in the tourism industry. 

"Winning this prestigious award will not only acknowledge your achievements in your studies and the sector to date, but it will be an accolade that sets you apart as ‘one to watch’ as you embark on your chosen career."

Full list of Lancashire Tourism Award 2023 finalists

Accessible and Inclusive Tourism             

• Blackpool Transport Services Ltd, Blackpool 
• Brickhouse Farm Cottages, Hambleton 
• Lancashire Outdoor Activities Initiative, Rivington 
• The Estuary Riverside Chalets, Hambleton 
• The Flower Bowl Entertainment Centre, Brock 

Business Events Venue             

• Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley 
• Tickled Trout Hotel, South Ribble 
• Winter Gardens Blackpool, Blackpool 

Camping, Glamping & Holiday Park  

• Hedgerow Luxury Glamping, Newsholme 
• Pure Leisure Group, Lancaster 
• The Secret Garden Glamping, Holland Moss, Skelmersdale 

Cultural Venue / Organisation             

• Blackburn Cathedral, Blackburn 
• King George's Hall, Blackburn 
• The Dukes, Lancaster 
• The Whitaker Museum and Art Gallery, Rawtenstall 
• Winter Gardens Blackpool, Blackpool 
•  

Dog Friendly Business               

• Holland Hall Hotel, Up Holland 
• Tewitfield Marina, Tewitfield / Carnforth 
• The Lawrence Hotel, Padiham               

Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism  

• Delta Hotels By Marriott Preston, Broughton 
• Hedgerow Luxury Glamping, Newsholme 
• Moss Wood Caravan Park, Cockerham 

Experience of the Year              

• Black Knights Parachute Centre, Cockerham 
• Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours, Blackpool  

Family Owned / Run Business              

• Brickhouse Farm Cottages, Hambleton 
• Fence Gate, Fence 
• Elgin Hotel, Blackpool 
• Frederick's Ice Cream Ltd, Heath Charnock / Chorley 
• JAK Hanson Shopping Outlet, Wrightington 
• Mill House Farm Pods, Cockerham 
• Partington's Holiday Parks, Thornton-Cleveleys 
•  

Hotel Wedding Venue               

• Delta Hotels by Marriott Preston, Broughton 
• Foxfields Country Hotel, Billington 
• Glendower Hotel, St Annes 
• Holland Hall Hotel, Up Holland 
• Mytton Fold Hotel, Langho 
•  

Large Hotel 

• Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley 
• Hotel Sheraton, Blackpool 
• Mytton Fold Hotel, Langho 
• The Glendower Hotel, St Annes 

New Tourism Business  

• Assheton Arms, Downham 
• Everything Retreat, Mellor 
• Fell Urban Bistro, Longridge 
• Mill Housse Farm Pods, Cockerham 
• The Estuary Riverside Chalets, Hambleton 
• The Hole in Wand Blackpool, Blackpool 
• The Rum Fox, Grindleton 

Pub of the Year 

• Fence Gate, Fence 
• Shireburn Arms, Hurst Green 
• The Pendle Inn – part of Daniel Thwaites, Barley 
•  

Resilience & Innovation           

• Blackpool Transport Service Ltd, Blackpool 
• Holland Hall Hotel, Up Holland 
• 3 Millstones Inn, West Bradford 

Self-Catering Accommodation  

• Everything Retreat, Mellor 
• Kays Farm Retreat, Chorley 
• The Estuary Riverside Chalets, Hambleton 
• The Stables at Hall Green Farm, Longton 

Lancashire Perfect Stay - Small Serviced Accommodation Provider 

• Bella Vista Lodge, Blackpool 
• Fence Gate Lodge, Fence 
• The Lawrence Hotel, Padiham 
• The Millstone, Mellor – part of Daniel Thwaites, Mellor 

Visitor Attraction 

• Lancashire Police Museum, Lancaster 
• The Hole in Wand Blackpool, Blackpool 
• Windmill Animal Farm, Burscough 

Taste Lancashire Award           

• CDJ Restaurant, Darwen 
• Fell Urban Bistro, Longridge 
• La Locanda, Gisburn 

Wedding Venue 

• Eaves Hall, West Bradford 
• West Tower Wedding Venue, Aughton 
• Wyre Weddings - Mount Pavilion, Fleetwood