The region’s outstanding tourism businesses took centre-stage last night as the winners of the 2026 Nottinghamshire Tourism Awards and Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Tourism Awards were announced at a glittering joint awards ceremony.
The prestigious event was held at Pride Park Stadium in Derby and brought together over 380 guests for a night of recognition and celebration during English Tourism Week (13-22 March).
The region’s two Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs) – Visit Nottinghamshire and Visit Peak District, Derbyshire and Derby – joined forces to deliver the awards ceremony in partnership for the second year, highlighting the sector’s vital £5.25bn of economic impact contribution to the East Midlands’ economy.
Finalists were recognised across 35 overall awards categories, spanning hotels, B&Bs, attractions, pubs, cafes, unique visitor experiences and unsung heroes, showcasing the very best of the local tourism industry.
Nominees progressed through a rigorous judging process – including mystery visits and independent expert assessment – before gathering at last night’s ceremony, where Gold, Silver and Bronze winners were announced across both competitions.
The awards were held in partnership with VisitEngland and Gold winners in each core category will now have the opportunity to represent the region at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence in June 2026 – the highest national accolade in English tourism.
Megan Powell Vreeswijk, CEO of Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire including Visit Nottinghamshire, said: “We are incredibly proud to celebrate the winners of the Nottinghamshire Tourism Awards and to recognise the exceptional quality, innovation and dedication shown by businesses across our visitor economy.
These awards are a powerful reminder of the vital role tourism plays in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire – supporting jobs, driving investment and creating experiences that attract millions of visitors each year, support 22,500 jobs and generate £2.53 billion in economic impact.
It was fantastic to come together with our partners at Visit Peak District, Derbyshire and Derby to showcase our exceptional visitor economy sector across the East Midlands. Congratulations to all of this year’s winners, and we keep our fingers crossed for our Gold award recipients being picked to represent the region on the national stage at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.”
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said:
“The East Midlands Tourism Awards showcase the places and experiences that make our region so special.
“I’m proud to congratulate all of this year’s winners and finalists who are helping to make the East Midlands a destination of choice. Their hard work, creativity and passion not only attract visitors from far and wide, but also support local jobs, businesses and communities.
“Together we are building a stronger visitor economy and making the East Midlands an even better place to live, work and visit.”
Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, said: “The Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Tourism Awards provide an inspiring moment to come together and celebrate the passion, innovation and dedication that drive our visitor economy forward. This event is more than an awards ceremony – it’s a showcase of the remarkable businesses, individuals and experiences that contribute £3.58bn in economic value to the local economy.
“By uniting finalists, partners and champions of tourism in the East Midlands under one roof, we’re able to highlight the strength of collaboration in delivering exceptional experiences, boosting local pride and contributing significantly to our economic growth. Congratulations to our worthy winners!”
For the full list of winners from the Nottinghamshire Tourism Awards please visit:
For the full list of winners from the Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Awards please visit:
https://visitpeakdistrict.com/industry/events/category/tourism-awards
The awards are proudly sponsored by East Midlands Airport, North Notts BID, Fancy Entertainment, Luxbooth, Derbyshire County Football Club and Voltshare.
Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Tourism Awards: The 2026 Winners
Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award
- Nottingham Playhouse
- Sherwood Observatory
- Forestry England Sherwood Pines
Business Events Venue of the Year
- Nottingham Venues
- Cleaver & Wake
- Renaissance at Kelham Hall
Camping, Glamping & Holiday Park of the Year
- Wild Acre Village at Sundown Adventureland
- Wolds Wine Estate
- Sherwood Pines Campsite
Entertainment Venue of the Year
- DHP Family – Rock City
- Nottingham Playhouse
- Motorpoint Arena Nottingham
Experience of the Year
- Eden Hall
- Go Ape Sherwood
- Holme Pierrepont Country Park, Home Of The National Watersports Centre
Family Friendly Attraction of the Year
- White Post Farm
- Manor Farm Park & Woodlands
- Forestry England Sherwood Pines
Festival or Event of the Year
- “Light Night – Nottingham City Council & It’s in Nottingham”
- “Christmas Market at Nottingham Castle – It’s in Nottingham”
- “Beat the Streets – DHP Family”
Hotel of the Year
- Orchard Hotel – Nottingham Venues
- Holiday Inn Nottingham
- Crowne Plaza Nottingham
New Tourism Business Award
- Splash Art Republic
- Tom Browns
- Notts Mining Heritage Centre CIC
Pub of the Year
- The Reindeer at Hoveringham
- The Old Volunteer
- Malt Cross
Regenerative Tourism Award
- Eastwood Hall
- Woodborough Hall
- Nottingham Playhouse
Self Catering Accommodation of the Year
- Village Holidays
- Southwell Holiday Cottage – Lavender Cottage
- Castle House
Taste of Nottinghamshire – Casual Dining
- Zaap Thai Street Food
- Hickory’s Smokehouse Gamston
- Fothergills
Taste of Nottinghamshire – Restaurant
- Hemisphere
- Woodborough Hall
- The Old Volunteer
Team of the Year
- Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall
- Sherwood Pines Campsite
- Bilsthorpe Heritage Museum
Unsung Hero Award
- “Glennis Robinson – Manor Farm Park & Woodlands”
- “Chez Moore Sherwood – Pines Campsite”
- “Darren Phillips – DropWorks”
Visitor Attraction of the Year
- National Justice Museum
- The Welbeck Estate
- Rufford Abbey Country Park
Posted on 19 March 2026
