Walton Hall & Gardens voted Wedding Venue of the Year at Tourism Awards

WARRINGTON’S Walton Hall & Gardens has been voted “Wedding Venue” of the year at the prestigious Marketing Cheshire annual Tourism Awards.

Soap star Lucy-Jo Hudson was the special guest as various outstanding visitor economy businesses and individuals were crowned at the grand final of the Marketing Cheshire Tourism Awards 2024 last night.

The awards, held at the glorious Chester Cathedral recognise the exceptional individuals and accommodation providers, eateries and much-loved attractions behind the region’s £3.41bn tourism sector which attracts 50 million visitors a year.

A record 87 nominations – up 29% on the previous year – had been received from across Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester and Warrington.
Around 300 tourism and hospitality sector guests were present as winners across 16 wide-ranging categories were unveiled. Some of the winners will go on to represent Cheshire at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.

Lucy-Jo, whose TV credits include Coronation Street, Hollyoaks, Wild at Heart and Doctors, said as a Cheshire resident she was thrilled to host the event and meet the winners.
She said: “Cheshire is my adopted home and it was a real honour to be able to celebrate the truly marvellous individuals and businesses who make the region a perfect place to live, work and visit. The dedication of those behind Cheshire’s visitor economy is inspirational and the Marketing Cheshire Tourism Awards are a brilliant way to recognise this.”
On the night there was no escaping the delight of Escapism Chester which was named Visitor Attraction of the Year with judges declaring it “a great ambassador for the Cheshire tourism industry and a fun experience which surpasses expectation”.

Other winners raising a toast included Walton Hall and Gardens which was named Wedding Venue of the Year award after judges noted it offers “something a little different with a wealth of history and access to outdoor space” and added “it feels fresh, creative and the ripple of benefits linked to local suppliers and producers is to be applauded”.
Also celebrating was Cheshire West’s enchanted adventure park BeWILDerwood which took the Best Tourism Marketing Project of the Year Award for its Make a Sploosh at BeWILDerwood summer promotional campaign which included a photo competition and a new Rainy Day activity trail.
Judges cited its “strong creativity and reactiveness to summer weather” and added “with a small budget the team performed extremely well”.

Others letting out a roar of delight included Chester Zoo which took the Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award with judges describing it as “brilliant – a business practising what it preaches and setting a great example for other local businesses.”
Elsewhere Peter Rosenfeld, the managing director of sight-seeing tour company, BusyBus whose trips include Cheshire, won the Unsung Hero Award with judges hearing how he remains ‘hands-on’ and a driver to this day.

Judges said: “Busybus scores a solid 5 on Tripadvisor with many personal mentions of Peter and it has done since inception”.
His caring nature also shone through with judges hugely impressed that in 2022 he helped acquire a double-decker coach and converted it into a 12-bed mobile hospital with a full emergency surgery operating theatre which he drove to Ukraine to help those caught up in the conflict.The Team of the Year award went to Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement with impressed judges noting the venue, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was home to “a great team, doing amazing work”.

Trevor Brocklebank, Chair of Marketing Cheshire and Deputy Chair of Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership said: said: “The record number of entries is testament to the pride those behind the region’s world-class attractions and pioneering businesses have and just why our visitor economy is worth billions and attracts 50 million visitors a year. Another truly special night.”
The event was sponsored by McPhillips, Insight6, Chester Cathedral, HB Leisure, Sticky Sausage Catering Ltd, BarLounge, DBS Solutions, Chester BID, The Hospitality Hero as well as Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership.

Full list of winners

Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award
National Trust, Quarry Bank

Best Tourism Marketing Project of the Year
Make A Sploosh at BeWILDerwood This Summer

Business Events Venue of the Year
Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa

Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year
Manor Wood Country Caravan Park

Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award
Chester Zoo

Experience of the Year
A Taste of Chester Food Walking Tour, Tours Around Chester

Large Hotel of the Year
The Chester Grosvenor

New Tourism Business of the Year
Dark Chester Tour

Pub of the Year
The Pheasant Inn

Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year
Enjoy the Pause Holiday Home – PauseUK

Small Serviced Accommodation Provider of the Year
The Bear’s Paw, Warmingham