THE spotlight is set to shine on Warrington’s Walton Hall & Gardens as venue and finalists for a hat-trick of awards at the annual Cheshire Tourism Awards.
Organised by Marketing Cheshire (and previously known as the Marketing Cheshire Tourism Awards), the event celebrates excellence across the region’s £3.9bn visitor economy, with finalists competing in 18 categories. Walton Hall & Gardens has been shortlisted for three awards, “Best Event and Festival,” “Large Visitor Attraction,” and “Wedding Venue,” while the historic Parr’s Bank Hotel has been shortlisted as “Small Serviced Accommodation of the Year.”
From iconic attractions and boutique stays to unforgettable events and outstanding hospitality, the shortlist shines a spotlight on the very best from across Cheshire and Warrington.
This year saw a record number of entries, particularly in the Visitor Attraction of the Year category, which proved so popular it has now been split into two: Large Visitor Attraction of the Year and Small Visitor Attraction of the Year.
Winners will be announced at a glittering ceremony on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at Walton Hall and Gardens – itself a triple finalist. The historic estate, once home to Lord and Lady Daresbury, is nominated in the Best Event or Festival category for the Daresbury Festival (with Walton Live), as well as for Wedding Venue of the Year and Large Visitor Attraction of the Year.
Also celebrating three nominations is Chester Zoo, a finalist in Team of the Year, Large Visitor Attraction of the Year, and the Regenerative Tourism Award. Crewe Hall Hotel & Spa has double the reason to celebrate, competing in the Large Hotel of the Year, and Business Events Venue of the Year categories.
Meanwhile, Cheshire West & Chester is guaranteed to claim the title of New Tourism Business of the Year, with all five contenders – Rooftop Social Club, 744 Experience, The Seven Chester, The Hole in Wand, and Axt Haus – based in and around the city.
Jamie Christon, Chair of Marketing Cheshire, said: “Tourism in Cheshire and Warrington is truly world-class, supporting 38,000 jobs and welcoming over 56 million visitors each year. It’s fantastic to see such a bumper crop of entries once again, showcasing the trailblazing businesses and inspirational individuals driving the region’s success. The judges have an unenviable task this year – the standard has been exceptional.”
Some category winners will automatically qualify for the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, where they’ll represent Cheshire and Warrington on the national stage.
The full list of categories and finalists can be found below.
Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award
Circus Starr, Congleton
The Ice Cream Farm, Tattenhall
VR Warehouse Ltd, Runcorn
Best Event or Festival
Boodles May Festival, Chester Racecourse
Chester Festival of Ideas, University of Chester
Deva Fest, Cholmondeley Estate
Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre, Storyhouse
The Brit Fest Cheshire, Ashley Hall
Walton Hall and Gardens Daresbury Festival, in partnership with Walton Live
The Daresbury Festival in 2023
Business Events Venue of the Year
Crewe Hall Hotel & Spa
Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa, Chester
Mere View Farm, The Farm Club Group
Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year
Lady Heyes Holiday Park, Frodsham
Overwater Marina, Audlem
Experience of the Year
Dunham Massey
Hover Force, Frodsham
Walking Food Tours UK – The Taste of Chester Experience
Wild Shore Delamere
Large Hotel of the Year
Champneys Mottram Hall
Cottons Hotel & Spa, Knutsford
Crewe Hall Hotel & Spa
Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa
Nunsmere Hall Hotel, Tarporley
Peckforton Castle
The Queen at Chester
New Tourism Business of the Year
744 Experience, Tattenhall
Axt Haus, Chester
Rooftop Social Club, Chester
The Hole In Wand Chester
The Seven Chester
Pub of the Year
Davenport Arms, Woodford
The Fishpool Inn, Delamere
The Fox and Hounds at Sproston
The Pheasant Inn, Tattenhall
Regenerative Tourism Award
BeWILDerwood Cheshire
Chester Zoo
Cholmondeley Castle Gardens
Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year
ABC Boat Hire – Nantwich Canal Basin
Cheshire Barns, Northwich
Cheshire Boutique Barns, Nantwich
Cheshire Boutique Bathhouse, Nantwich
The Hollies Retreats, Tarporley
Small Serviced Accommodation of the Year
Oddfellows Chester
Stone Villa, Chester
The Bear’s Paw, Warmingham, Sandbach
The Chester Townhouse
The Parr’s Bank Hotel, Warrington
Taste of Cheshire Award
1851 Restaurant, Peckforton Castle
The Bear’s Paw
Team of the Year
Champneys Mottram Hall – Event Sales Office
Chester Zoo – Heart of Africa Team
Tatton Park Charitable Trust – Bookshop Volunteers
The Bridge team, Prestbury
The Hollies Farm Shop, Little Budworth
The Ice Cream Farm, Tattenhall
Visit Northwich
Wild Shore Delamere – Crew
Unsung Hero Award
Derek Jenkinson, Groundsman, Lady Heyes Holiday Park
Eva Cooper, Assistant Financial Controller, Champneys Mottram Hall
Jayne Chapman, Farm Manager, Tatton Park
Rachel Watson, Sales & Marketing Executive, Combermere Abbey
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
BeWILDerwood Cheshire
Chester Zoo
Dunham Massey
Storyhouse, Chester
Walton Hall and Gardens
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
Escapism Chester
The Hole In Wand Chester
VR Warehouse Ltd, Runcorn
Wild Shore Delamere
Wedding Venue of the Year
Combermere Abbey Weddings
Inglewood Manor, Ellesmere Port
Larkspur Lodge, Knutsford
Nunsmere Hall Hotel, Tarporley
Old Palace Chester
Peckforton Castle
Walton Hall and Gardens
