Who are the best of the best in England's tourism scene in 2025?

If you’ve ever had a weekend away that felt like magic—whether it was a cosy B&B, a surprisingly fun museum trip, or even hugging a cow (yes, that’s a thing)—chances are it had something to do with one of England’s many tourism gems. And now, VisitEngland has announced the 2025 finalists for its Awards for Excellence, spotlighting the best spots, stays, and experiences across the country.

For anyone planning their next UK break or just curious about what makes England tick as a top destination, this is a proper peek into the cream of the crop. Let’s break down what it all means and why it matters.

What are the VisitEngland Awards, anyway?

Every year for over 30 years, VisitEngland has run these awards to celebrate places and people doing incredible work in tourism. Think of it like the Oscars—but for B&Bs, quirky attractions, and unforgettable day trips.

The awards shine a light on everything from high-end hotels to glamping getaways and even the folks working behind the scenes who make visits special.

This year’s standouts and some weirdly wonderful experiences

A total of 52 finalists have made the cut after a serious round of judging by tourism pros (basically people who get paid to travel—dream job, right?). These finalists are competing in 16 main categories, with a couple of extra awards thrown in for good measure.

Let’s talk categories. You’ve got your classics:

• B&B and Guest House of the Year
• Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year
• Large Visitor Attraction of the Year

But then there are some fun curveballs, too. Like…

• Experience of the Year, which includes Cow Cuddling at Dumble Farm (yep, really), an Introduction to Sailing in Cornwall, and a Wizard Walk in York. Harry Potter fans, take note.

What makes these awards a big deal?

Sure, awards are nice, but here’s why they matter: they help people find amazing places to visit that they might never stumble across otherwise. When a place gets this kind of nod, it means they’re doing more than just getting the basics right—they’re going the extra mile.

Andrew Stokes, Director at VisitEngland, summed it up like this:

“As the finalists demonstrate, businesses across every region provide outstanding customer service along with high quality experiences while constantly innovating to find new ways to give more to visitors and the communities they serve.”

And he’s not wrong. Whether it’s an ultra-accessible science museum or a sustainable lakeside retreat, these places are raising the bar for tourism in England.

Finalists cover every corner of the map

From Cornwall to Cumbria, Northumberland to the West Midlands, the finalists aren’t just clustered in the usual tourist hotspots. Here’s a tiny sample of the mix:

• Titanic Hotel Liverpool (Large Hotel of the Year)
• The Quiet Site, Cumbria (Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism)
• Sunnyside Guest House, Merseyside (Finalist in two categories!)
• No.1 Royal Crescent, Somerset (Small Visitor Attraction)
• Ad Gefrin, Northumberland – an Anglo-Saxon Museum and Whisky Distillery that’s also a newbie on the block

Even pubs are getting their time in the spotlight. (Honestly, who doesn’t want to know where the best pint and pub lunch in England are hiding?)

Local pride meets national recognition

Here’s how it works behind the scenes: earlier in the year, 21 different local tourism competitions were held across England. The winners from those were automatically bumped up to the national level.

Out of 1,800 applications, about 360 were forwarded for national judging. From there, just 52 made it through as finalists.

Those finalists include:

• Hotels
• Self-catering cottages
• Glamping sites
• Museums
• Restaurants
• And, of course, loads of other tourism spots

Basically, if it makes people happy when they visit, it was probably in the running.

What happens next?

The glitzy black-tie final takes place on 4 June at the Brighton Dome Corn Exchange—so mark your calendar if you're into tourism trends or just want to watch the winners roll in.

Winners will be announced in three tiers:

• Gold
• Silver
• Bronze

Even being a finalist is a pretty big win though. It’s a bit like being nominated for a BAFTA—there’s glory in just making it this far.

A quick peek at the categories and some finalists

Here’s a quick look at a few of the 2025 categories and some standout finalists:

🏨 Large Hotel of the Year

• Titanic Hotel Liverpool, Merseyside
• Mallory Court Hotel & Spa, Warwickshire

🍽️ Taste of England Award

• Searcys at The Pump Room, Somerset
• The Riverside at Aymestrey, Herefordshire

🌱 Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism

• The Quiet Site, Cumbria
• Battlesteads, Northumberland

🧙 Experience of the Year

• Cow Cuddling at Dumble Farm, Yorkshire
• Wizard Walk of York, North Yorkshire

🎻 Business Events Venue of the Year

• Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement, Cheshire
• The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, Tyne & Wear

Final thoughts

If you’re planning your next holiday or weekend away in England, these awards are like your ultimate travel cheat sheet. They show where the magic's really happening—whether it’s a treehouse in Devon, a pint in Derbyshire, or a museum in Merseyside that makes science fun for all.

The full list of finalists is like a treasure map of amazing places, so it’s well worth browsing for your next adventure.

And honestly, who wouldn’t want to say they’ve cuddled a cow on holiday?