Pick your category with confidence.

Recognises bed and breakfasts, guest houses, inns with rooms or other similar serviced accommodation businesses that provide fabulous service and create great memories for their guests.

• Directly involved in tourism, with a significant proportion of business generated by visitors from outside the local area.
• Breakfast must be available on site, adjacent or close to the premises.
• Businesses may include B&Bs, guest houses, inns, pubs and restaurants with rooms.
• Serviced accommodation may consider this category or Small Hotel — choose the one that best suits and enter only one.
• Food businesses must have a minimum food hygiene rating of 3/5 (exception for newly opened, ungraded businesses).
• Businesses trading 3 months to 2 years are strongly recommended to apply to New Tourism Business of the Year first.
• Applications from a chain or group must relate to a single site, not multiple sites.

If shortlisted, judges arrange a pre-booked announced day visit (including breakfast) at no cost to the judge.

Recognises small to medium serviced accommodation businesses that offer a fantastic welcome, memorable guest experiences and the highest standards in everything they do.

• Directly involved in tourism, with a significant proportion of business from visitors outside the local area.
• Broad category covering all styles of serviced accommodation except large full-service hotels and B&Bs.
• Likely offers reception, restaurant, bar, dinner and breakfast — may include boutique accommodation, inns and pubs with rooms.
• Usually 12–35 bedrooms (exceptions allowed if appropriate).
• Serviced apartments should apply via Self Catering Accommodation instead.
• Minimum food hygiene rating 3/5 for food businesses (exception for new businesses).
• Single site only for chain/group applicants.

If shortlisted, an unannounced overnight visit (breakfast plus lunch or evening meal). The applicant provides a voucher / means of payment so the judge can remain anonymous.

Recognises large full-service hotels that provide exemplary service, a top-quality food offering and a stay that guests will remember for years.

• Full-service hotel with reception/check-in, breakfast and a restaurant or evening meal provision where market need exists.
• Minimum 35 bedrooms (smaller allowed if a full-service hotel with extensive facilities).
• Serviced apartments should apply via Self Catering Accommodation.
• Food hygiene rating 3/5 minimum; single-site applications for chains/groups.

If shortlisted, an unannounced overnight visit (breakfast plus lunch or evening meal). Voucher / payment provided so the judge can remain anonymous.

Recognises holiday parks, sites and villages providing exceptional guest experiences across static vans, touring pitches, shepherd's huts and more.

• Main offer is holiday parks, sites, villages, camping or glamping.
• May include static vans, touring/tent pitches, glamping, shepherd's huts and lodges.
• Holiday villages offering room-only or self-catering accommodation are eligible.
• Owner-occupied units are eligible only if used for holiday purposes (not as primary residence).
• Food hygiene rating 3/5 for food businesses.
• Single-site applications only for chain/group operators.

If shortlisted, a pre-booked announced day visit covering as much of the site and as many units as possible.

Recognises self-catering accommodation businesses that provide high-quality stays — from rural hideaways to family-friendly city breaks.

• Includes cottages, houses, historic properties, holiday boats, barn conversions, apartments, hostels and serviced apartments.
• A single property or a collection of properties at one site, owned or managed by the same business and of similar quality.
• Agencies with properties in multiple locations may submit up to 3 applications per category, each tied to one named property/location.
• Large self-catering complexes with chalets/lodges and on-site facilities should apply via Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park.
• Food hygiene rating 3/5 for food businesses; single-site applications only.

If shortlisted, a pre-booked announced day visit covering as much of the site and as many units as possible.

Recognises small visitor attractions that leave visitors with lasting memories and excel in customer service.

• Meets the visitor attraction definition: a permanently established excursion destination open to the public, primarily for entertainment, interest or education.
• Attracts ≤ 75,000 visitors/year OR employs ≤ 10 FTE staff.
• Capable of attracting day visitors, tourists and local residents.
• Retail outlets, sporting venues and theatres only eligible if they include a tour, museum or exhibition element.
• Guided tours not based at an attraction should apply to Experience of the Year.
• Pick one — small OR large attraction — not both.

If shortlisted, an unannounced day visit with family. The applicant supplies vouchers/tickets so the judge can remain anonymous.

Recognises large visitor attractions providing truly memorable experiences and excellence across every aspect of the business.

• Meets the visitor attraction definition (see Small Visitor Attraction).
• Attracts ≥ 75,000 visitors/year OR employs > 10 FTE staff.
• Other rules mirror Small Visitor Attraction — applicants choose only one.

If shortlisted, an unannounced day visit with family. Voucher/tickets required to preserve anonymity.

Recognises pubs that make a significant contribution to tourism in their area — unique offering, fabulous atmosphere, excellent service and a destination in their own right.

• Operators of multiple sites may submit up to 3 applications per category, each relating to one pub.
• May or may not serve food.
• Has a unique selling point — locally sourced food, heritage, theme or entertainment.
• Pubs with rooms may also enter B&B/Guest House or Small Hotel — but only one. Accommodation is not judged within Pub of the Year.
• Food hygiene rating 3/5 minimum for food businesses.

If shortlisted, an unannounced visit with one guest. Voucher/tickets required for anonymity.

Recognises providers of memorable, immersive activities for visitors — from cooking masterclasses to woodland nature tours.

• Application must relate to one named experience or experience type only (e.g. one cookery course, one guided tour).
• Likely to fall under wellness/well-being, sporting/active, environment, arts & culture, or culinary themes.
• Food service experiences should apply to Taste of England instead.
• Experiences inside a visitor attraction are only eligible if they can be booked separately from main admission.
• Must be open to non-residents and run on a regular, ongoing basis (not one-off events).
• Food hygiene rating 3/5 for food businesses; single-site applications only.

If shortlisted, an unannounced visit with one guest. Voucher/tickets required for anonymity.

Recognises high-performing new tourism businesses trading less than two years, with clear plans for future development.

• Trading at least 3 months and up to 2 years when applications open.
• New owners of an existing business only qualify if a fundamental change has occurred within 2 years — at least two of: significant investment, rebrand / name change / Companies House update, or change in target market.
• Only businesses that directly serve the end visitor and control the visitor experience are eligible.
• Multi-site operators (chains, self-catering agencies) may submit up to 3 single-site applications per category.
• Previous overall/Gold winners of New Tourism Business may not re-enter this category.
• Food hygiene rating 3/5 for food businesses.

If shortlisted, a pre-booked announced day visit.

Recognises tourism businesses offering outstanding cuisine, innovative service and excellence throughout their operation. Restaurants, coffee/tea shops, cafés and pub-restaurants are all eligible. Judged against similar venues offering similar services.

• Includes restaurants, hotel restaurants, cafés, tea rooms, pubs, coffee shops, bistros and food halls.
• Ideally offers table service or a dining area with tables; counter-service cafés qualify if there are clear service elements.
• Toilet facilities within or adjacent to the business.
• Open to non-residents with no admission fee required to access the eatery.
• Food hygiene rating 3/5 minimum (exception for newly opened, ungraded businesses).
• Food-related events/festivals are not eligible.
• Single-site applications only for chain/group operators.

If shortlisted, an unannounced visit with one guest. Voucher/tickets required for anonymity.

Recognises tourism businesses that excel at providing an inclusive customer experience, particularly for those with accessibility requirements.

• Only businesses that directly serve the end visitor and control the visitor experience.
• Multi-site operators may submit up to 3 single-site applications.
• Open to accommodation, hospitality, transport, guided tours, cultural services, business events venues, sporting and recreational activities, retail (where it attracts significant out-of-area visitors), supporting visitor services and visitor attractions.
• Food hygiene rating 3/5 minimum.
• Events/festivals are eligible if they took place between 2025 and 2026 and have a confirmed future date after 31 March 2027.

If shortlisted, a pre-booked announced day visit.

Recognises tourism businesses truly committed to championing and delivering a regenerative approach — visitors should leave a place better than they found it.

• Judges look for actions across some or all of: Climate (decarbonise toward Net Zero), Biodiversity (protect and restore nature), Place-based (respect for local communities, local suppliers, no-harm tourism), and Circular Economy (waste, recycling, sustainable products).
• Only businesses that directly serve the end visitor are eligible.
• Multi-site operators may submit up to 3 single-site applications.
• Food hygiene rating 3/5 for food businesses.
• Events/festivals must follow the same reoccurrence rules as Accessible & Inclusive Tourism.

If shortlisted, a pre-booked announced day visit.

Recognises business events venues that demonstrate an excellent understanding of the market and a strategic plan for future development.

• Any venue that hosts business events — meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions — and actively works to grow business events.
• Clients may be UK or international.
• Food hygiene rating 3/5 minimum for food businesses.
• Single-site applications only for chain/group operators.

If shortlisted, a pre-booked announced day visit arranged directly with you.

Recognises an individual working for a tourism business who excels in their role and deserves to be applauded for their commitment to the industry.

• Covers all individual staff in accommodation, food & drink, attractions, conference and event venues, or other tourism-focused facilities.
• Especially suitable for apprentices, trainees, new entrants and students on tourism-related courses.
• Self-nominations welcome — third-party nominations require the nominee's agreement.

No site visit — judged on application only. Does not progress to the national VisitEngland Awards.

Celebrates the achievements of an outstanding team in the tourism industry.

• Covers recognised teams of at least three members working in accommodation, food & drink, attractions, conference/event venues or other tourism-focused facilities.
• All members of the team should be involved.

No site visit — judged on application only. Does not progress to the national VisitEngland Awards.

Recognises a venue that makes dogs and their owners welcome and able to enjoy the service and facilities on offer.

• Directly involved in tourism.
• Can be a venue, café, restaurant, pub, event or experience.
• Must demonstrate that it welcomes dogs and their owners alongside other customers.
• Food hygiene rating 3/5 minimum if food is served.
• Single-site applications only for chain/group operators.

A mystery visit by a judge plus one guest and their dog. Two drinks for judge and guest must be waived by the venue at the time of the visit. Does not progress to the national VisitEngland Awards.

Celebrates the festivals and events that fill Leicestershire's calendar with sound, colour and art.

• Covers all festivals and events targeting visitors, taking place for a fixed period (usually annually). One-off events may also apply.
• Event must have taken place between 1st September 2025 and 7th September 2026.

No site visit — judged on application only. Does not progress to the national VisitEngland Awards.

Recognises establishments offering memorable cocktail experiences and excellent customer service.

• Cocktails must be available on a regular basis.
• Venue must be appropriately licensed.
• Food hygiene rating 3/5 minimum if food is served.

Unannounced visit including one cocktail each for the judge and a guest. Both must be waived at the time of the visit. Does not progress to the national VisitEngland Awards.

For a new marketing campaign that has been particularly successful — a new website, app, social media campaign, printed project or community initiative.

• Judges will be looking for a clear description of the campaign and what it set out to achieve.
• Indication of how long the campaign ran for.
• Number of staff involved and budget.

Judged on application and supporting evidence. A judge may follow up with a call or a pre-arranged in-person visit. Does not progress to the national VisitEngland Awards.

For garden centres and nurseries that deliver a great visitor experience.

• Quality and range of products.
• Knowledgeable staff.
• Café / restaurant offering.
• Children's facilities and family welcome.
• Accessibility provision for visitors with a range of requirements.
• Managing and improving environmental, social and economic impacts.
• Gardening club and any added extras that delight customers.

Unannounced visit. Does not progress to the national VisitEngland Awards.