VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2026 Venue and Date Announced

Ever wondered what makes a holiday spot, a local pub, or a day out truly special? It’s not just about a comfy bed or a nice view. It’s about the people, the passion, and the brilliant ideas that turn a good experience into a great one. And every year, there’s a massive celebration to shout about the absolute best of the best in English tourism. The news is just in, and it’s a big one. On 9 April 2026, VisitEngland announced the venue and date for the tourism industry's most anticipated event, the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, and it’s set to be an unforgettable night.

A night to remember in Bristol

Mark your calendars for 3 June, because the biggest night in English tourism is heading to Bristol. But this isn't just any awards ceremony in any old hall. The event is taking place at Aerospace Bristol, a venue that tells a story of incredible engineering and ambition. The celebration will happen right under the wings of the iconic Concorde Alpha Foxtrot, the last of the supersonic passenger jets ever to fly. How cool is that? Imagine celebrating the future of travel and holidays right next to a legendary piece of aviation history. It’s a perfect match, really, celebrating innovation in an industry that’s always moving forward.

Bristol is a city known for its creativity and vibrant spirit, making it the perfect backdrop for these prestigious awards. The folks at Visit West are certainly excited to play host. Kathryn Davies, the CEO of Visit West, shared her enthusiasm about the news.

“We are thrilled that the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence are coming to the Bristol region for the first time. We can’t wait to welcome the best of England’s tourism offer for a night of celebration under the wings of Concorde highlighting excellence and innovation in the industry.”

This is a huge moment for Bristol and the entire region, putting a spotlight on what makes the West of England such a fantastic place to visit. The choice of Aerospace Bristol as the venue highlights a theme of excellence and ground-breaking achievement that runs through both the history of the Concorde and the spirit of the awards.

What are these awards all about?

Think of the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence as the Oscars for the tourism world in England. It’s the 36th time these annual awards have taken place, and they’re all about recognising the businesses and individuals that go the extra mile. From the cosiest B&B to a massive theme park, these awards honour every corner of the industry. It’s a pretty big deal to even be nominated. The journey to the national final is a tough one. It all starts with 21 different local competitions across the country. This year saw a record-breaking 1847 applications flood in. The winners from these local rounds are then automatically put forward for the national awards, where they compete for the top spots.

The finalists will be hoping to walk away with a Gold, Silver, or Bronze award. In the weeks leading up to the main event in June, VisitEngland will announce the three finalists for each of the categories. The tension will definitely be building! The director of VisitEngland, Andrew Stokes, explained just how important this recognition is.

“We are delighted that this year’s ceremony is in Bristol, home of the iconic Concorde Alpha Foxtrot jet, and a destination globally renowned for its innovation and artistic creativity. The VisitEngland Awards for Excellence recognise the very best of tourism in England, showcasing our industry's outstanding welcome, dedicated staff and the world class experiences on offer. I am especially pleased that we have had a record number of entries to our local competitions this year.”

It’s a powerful reminder of how much hard work goes on behind the scenes to make our holidays and days out so memorable. These awards are a massive thank you to everyone involved.

The all-important categories

So, what exactly are these businesses competing for? There are 16 core categories, covering pretty much every type of tourism experience you can think of. It’s not just about the biggest and fanciest places. There are awards that celebrate small, independent businesses, and others that shine a light on really important ideas like sustainability and accessibility. The Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award, for instance, rewards businesses that make sure everyone, no matter their ability, can have a fantastic time. And then there's the 'New Tourism Business of the Year', which is all about celebrating fresh ideas and exciting new ventures. The list of core categories is pretty comprehensive.

• 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

• Small Hotel of the Year

• Large Hotel of the Year

• International Tourism Award

• New Tourism Business of the Year

• Pub of the Year

• Regenerative Tourism Award

• Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year

• Taste of England Award

• Unsung Hero Award

• Small Visitor Attraction of the Year

• Large Visitor Attraction of the Year

On top of these, there are also special awards, including the ‘Travel Content Award’ and the ‘Tourism Superstar Award’. This ensures that every part of the tourism sector gets the recognition it deserves, from the front-of-house staff to the marketing teams that tempt us to visit. The sheer variety of categories shows the diversity and strength of the English tourism industry.

How to get involved in the celebration

Here’s the great part – this glamorous event isn't just for the nominees. Anyone who loves travel and wants to be part of the celebration can get involved. Tickets for the awards night are on sale to the public. It’s a chance to see the stars of the tourism industry get their moment in the spotlight and to be part of a truly special evening. For those quick off the mark, there's even an early bird rate available for the first 100 people who book their place. It’s an opportunity to get dressed up and enjoy a night of entertainment and inspiration under the wings of the legendary Concorde.

The evening also has a wonderful purpose beyond the awards themselves. This year, the chosen charity for the event is the Family Holiday Charity. This amazing organisation works to help families facing tough times, like illness, bereavement, or financial hardship, to get a much-needed holiday. A simple break can make a world of difference, giving families time to reconnect and make happy memories. By supporting the event, attendees are also helping a brilliant cause. It’s a celebration with a heart, recognising excellence while also giving back.

A huge deal for English tourism

It's easy to forget just how massive the tourism industry is for England. It’s one of the country's biggest and most valuable sectors, supporting hundreds of thousands of businesses, providing over two million jobs, and contributing an incredible £127 billion to the economy. That’s everything from the person who sells you an ice cream on the pier to the pilot flying you into a major airport. The British Tourist Authority, which operates as both VisitEngland and VisitBritain, plays a huge role in promoting the country to visitors from all over the world. These awards are a key part of that, driving up standards and encouraging innovation.