A number of east Lancashire businesses have been nominated at this year's Lancashire Tourism Awards.

The finalists - including Burnley's Woodland Spa and Bertram's Restaurant, and Oswaldtwistle's Britannia Tap & Grill - have been announced by Marketing Lancashire.

The businesses will now progress through stages including mystery shopping, announced visits, and interviews with the independent judges.

Samlesbury Hall has picked up a whopping six nominations, while other multiple nominees include The Lawrence in Padiham, Mytton Fold Hotel in Langho, Stanley House in Mellor and the Three Fishes in Mitton.

Vikki Harris, marketing and partnership director of Marketing Lancashire, said: "Today's finalists have been through a rigorous shortlisting process, mapped against nationally set criteria, and earned a place in the county's most prestigious tourism and hospitality awards.

"We wish them luck through the next stages of the competition and look forward to celebrating with them at the awards ceremony early next year.

"Some of the finalists will now be visited by mystery shoppers and some by appointment, but all will have the opportunity to meet with our esteemed panel of judges in November.

"Our judges will consider all the evidence, reports, and interviews before selecting the winners of the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2024.

"This year's finalists are leaders in their field and we are thrilled to support them through the next stages of the awards process and to support our judges, who have quite a task on their hands.

"Congratulations to all this year's finalists, you've risen to the challenge and are now on your way to winning a prestigious Lancashire Tourism Award."

The full list of finalists at the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2024:

Accessible & Inclusive Tourism:

Blackpool Zoo

The Estuary Riverside Chalets, Hambleton

WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, Burscough

Business Events Venue:

Anderton Centre, Chorley

Samlesbury Hall

Stanley House Hotel & Spa, Mellor

Winter Gardens Blackpool

Camping, Glamping & Holiday Park:

Hedgerow Luxury Glamping, Newsholme

Samlesbury Hall

The Secret Garden Glamping, Skelmersdale

Wonderland Retreats, Carnforth

Cultural Venue / Organisation:

Lancaster Grand Theatre

Samlesbury Hall

The Dukes, Lancaster

The Lowther Pavilion Theatre & Gardens, Lytham

The Whitaker Museum and Art Gallery, Rawtenstall

Winter Gardens Blackpool

Dog-Friendly Business:

Affinity Lancashire, Fleetwood

Samlesbury Hall

The Lawrence, Padiham

The Millstone, Mellor – part of Daniel Thwaites

Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism:

Brickhouse Farm Cottages, Hambleton

The Three Fishes, Mitton

WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, Burscough

Family Owned or Run Business:

1842 & Ivory Tower, Preston

Dowsons Dairies, Clayton-Le-Dale

Foxfields Country Hotel, Billington

Harrison Holidays, Preston

Staining Lodge Golf Course, Staining

Hotel Wedding Venue:

Mytton Fold Hotel, Langho

Stanley House Hotel & Spa, Mellor

The Lawrence, Padiham

Weddings at Ribby Hall Village, Wrea Green

Lancashire Perfect Stay - Small Serviced Accommodation:

The Fossil Tree Hotel, Blackpool

The Lawrence, Padiham

The Royal at Heysham – Part of Daniel Thwaites

Large Hotel:

Elgin Hotel, Blackpool

Hampton by Hilton Blackburn

Mytton Fold Hotel, Langho

Large Visitor Attraction:

Blackpool Zoo

East Lancashire Railway, Rawtenstall

New Tourism Business:

Aven Restaurant, Preston

Eight at Gazegill by Doug Crampton, Rimington

Everything Retreat, Mellor

Offshore, St Annes - Showtown, Blackpool

The Britannia Tap & Grill, Oswaldtwistle

Wonderland Retreats, Carnforth

Pub:

Farm Yard Brew Co, Cockerham

Haighton Manor

The Black Bull Old Langho

The Rum Fox, Grindleton

Self-Catering Accommodation:

Brickhouse Farm Cottages, Hambleton

Everything Retreat, Mellor

Laythams Holiday Lets Retreat, Slaidburn

Oakdean Cottages, Langho

The Estuary Riverside Chalets, Hambleton

Small Visitor Attraction:

Lancashire Police Museum, Lancaster

Samlesbury Hall

Spitfire Visitor Centre, Blackpool

Taste Lancashire:

Artisan Ribble Valley, Billington

Aven Restaurant, Preston

Bertram’s Restaurant, Burnley

The Three Fishes, Mitton

Wedding Venue:

Samlesbury Hall

The Glasshouse at Staining Lodge, Staining

West Tower Wedding Venue, Aughton

Winners in a number of the categories will have the opportunity to go through to the national Visit England Awards for Excellence.

The award categories of Small Event, Large Event, and Hospitality & Tourism Student Award will remain open until October 11, and the finalists will be announced at the end of October.