A tour inspired by global pop star Harry Styles and a renowned zoo are among the finalists for this year’s Marketing Cheshire Tourism Awards. The awards celebrate businesses and individuals driving Cheshire and Warrington’s thriving tourism sector, which contributes £3.41 billion to the local economy and draws over 50 million visitors annually.
The finalists, revealed today, represent a diverse range of attractions and experiences from across Cheshire East, Cheshire West, Chester, and Warrington. They will compete for top honours at a prestigious ceremony in Chester Cathedral on 6 March 2025, marking the second consecutive year the venue will host the event.
Among the stand-out entries is the Harry Styles-inspired “Harry’s Home Village Tour,” which offers visitors a guided journey through Holmes Chapel, the village where the singer grew up. The tour is a finalist in three categories: Best Tourism Marketing Project of the Year, Experience of the Year, and New Tourism Business of the Year. The experience includes stops at key local landmarks, such as Mandeville’s Bakery, where Styles once worked, and Twemlow Viaduct, said to be the location of his first kiss.
Chester Zoo, another finalist, is also in the running for three awards. The zoo’s Snow Leopard enclosure project has earned its team a nomination in the Team of the Year category, alongside hospitality teams from Champneys Mottram Hall, The Chester Grosvenor, and The Bridge, Prestbury. Chester Zoo is also competing for the Visitor Attraction of the Year award and the coveted Wedding Venue of the Year award, vying for victory alongside venues such as Peckforton Castle, Crewe Hall Hotel & Spa, and Walton Hall and Gardens.
This year, Marketing Cheshire introduced a new category—Best Event or Festival—following feedback from the tourism sector. The finalists include BeWILDerwood Cheshire’s Christmas event, Deva Fest at Cholmondeley Castle, and Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre in Chester. This addition reflects the growing importance of festivals and events to the local economy and visitor experience.
Trevor Brocklebank, Chair of Marketing Cheshire, praised the high calibre of entries: “Each year, the quality and breadth of submissions from across the region are outstanding. It’s fantastic to see new categories like Best Event or Festival reflecting the dynamic and evolving nature of our tourism sector. Cheshire and Warrington attract over 36 million visitors annually, and these finalists are key contributors to the region’s continued success as a world-class tourist destination.”
Winners in several categories will automatically qualify for the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, where they will compete against other top attractions and businesses from across the country.
Other prominent finalists include BeWILDerwood Cheshire, competing in the Visitor Attraction of the Year category alongside Chester Zoo, Escapism Chester, and Tatton Park. The Taste Cheshire Award will see Artezzan Restaurant & Bar and The Sandbar Seafood Shack go head-to-head, while the Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year category features properties like The Hide in Pickmere and Cheshire Boutique Stays.