Visit Nottinghamshire is delighted to announce that applications are now officially open for the Nottinghamshire Tourism Awards 2026 – the county’s flagship celebration of excellence in tourism, hospitality, culture, and leisure.
Formerly known as the STARS Awards, the Nottinghamshire Tourism Awards champion the remarkable people, businesses, and experiences that contribute to the strength and diversity of the local visitor economy. The application window opens Wednesday 11 June and will close Monday 28 July 2025 – giving businesses just under two months to apply.
Organised by Visit Nottinghamshire, these prestigious awards recognise best practice and innovation across the sector, from B&Bs, hotels and glamping sites, to event venues, restaurants, pubs, and cultural attractions.
Visit Nottinghamshire is proud to be an accredited Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) – part of VisitEngland’s national framework to grow and support the visitor economy at a local level. This status ensures that Nottinghamshire’s tourism sector is aligned with national standards, giving our local businesses a stronger voice and greater visibility within the wider UK tourism landscape.
Megan Powell Vreeswijk, Chief Executive of Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire and Visit Nottinghamshire, said:
“Tourism plays a vital role in our local economy, supporting thousands of jobs and shining a light on the incredible businesses, people and places that make Nottinghamshire such a distinctive destination. The Nottinghamshire Tourism Awards are a moment to reflect on and celebrate that success – and to raise the profile of our local champions on a potentially national stage at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.”
Recognising Excellence – Locally and Nationally
There are 14 core categories in the 2026 awards, many of which link directly into the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence. Winners of Regional Gold in qualifying categories will automatically be considered for national recognition – placing Nottinghamshire’s best on a national stage.
New for this year, the popular “Taste of Nottinghamshire” category has been split into two: Restaurant and Casual Dining, allowing a broader range of food and drink businesses to take part. In addition to the core categories, there are four regional awards designed to highlight homegrown talent and community spirit – with public voting involved in two of the categories to give local people and visitors a say. Businesses are also welcome to apply for more than one Category
2026 Categories – Core Categories:
- Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award
- B&B and Guest House of the Year
- Business Events Venue of the Year
- Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year
- Experience of the Year
- Hotel of the Year
- New Tourism Business Award
- Pub of the Year
- Regenerative Tourism Award
- Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year
- Taste of Nottinghamshire – Restaurant
- Taste of Nottinghamshire – Casual Dining
- Unsung Hero Award
- Visitor Attraction of the Year
2026 – Regional Categories:
- Entertainment Venue of the Year (Public Vote)
- Family Friendly Attraction of the Year
- Festival & Event of the Year (Public Vote)
- Team of the Year
Important Dates
- Applications Open: Wednesday 11 June 2025
- Applications Close: Monday 28 July 2025
- Round One Judging: August 2025
- Round Two Judging: September 2025 – January 2026
- Awards Ceremony: Early 2026
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
Celebrating Past Success
The 2024/25 Nottinghamshire Tourism Awards ceremony brought together hundreds of local leaders, creators and innovators and was attended by Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands Combined Authority. Among the standout Gold winners was Nottingham Playhouse, recognised for both its commitment to accessibility and sustainable tourism. DropWorks Rum Distillery impressed with its immersive visitor experience as Europe’s Largest Rum distillery in the heart of Sherwood Forest, while Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, believed to be England’s oldest inn, was awarded Pub of the Year for its heritage-led hospitality. Southwell Minster was crowned Visitor Attraction of the Year, and Woodborough Hall triumphed in two categories – B&B of the Year and Team of the Year – cementing its place as a rising star in Nottinghamshire’s tourism scene.
Entry Is Free for Members
Visit Nottinghamshire members can apply free of charge, while a small fee applies to non-members. Full entry criteria, application forms, and judging guidance can be found on the Visit Nottinghamshire website.
Posted on 11 June 2025
