Celebrity farmers to host Visit Cheshire Tourism Awards

Celebrity couple and Cheshire farmers Kelvin and Liz Fletcher today said it was a “huge honour” to be unveiled as the hosts of the Visit Cheshire Tourism Awards ceremony in March.

Kelvin, who famously played farmer Andy Sugden on Emmerdale, lives with Liz and his four young children on a 120-acre farm in the picturesque village of Wincle, in the Peak District near Macclesfield. The couple star in ITV’s Fletcher’s Family Farm, soon to return for a fourth series, which documents the highs and lows of running their farm.

But today, Kelvin, who won a new set of fans when he won Strictly with dance partner Oti Mabuse in 2019, said he was looking forward to his new role alongside Liz as hosts of the Visit Cheshire Tourism Awards 2026.

From iconic attractions and boutique stays to unforgettable events and outstanding hospitality, the awards celebrate the brilliant businesses and individuals behind the region’s £3.9 billion visitor economy. Organised by Marketing Cheshire, the glittering ceremony will be held on Thursday 5 March 2026, at Walton Hall and Gardens in Warrington.

Kelvin said: “Liz and I proudly call Cheshire our home, so this is a huge honour. As well as its beautiful surroundings, we know tourism plays a massive part in the region’s prosperity and we can’t wait to celebrate the success stories behind it.”

Liz also hosts her own ITV show, Fletchers’ Country Workshop, showcasing her flair for craft, and said she was delighted to be teaming up with Kelvin at the awards ceremony.

“We both love Cheshire and it’s a wonderful place to live, work and bring up our family and we are so excited to be able to celebrate all our brilliant tourism businesses.”

The couple’s farm also hosts events including a festive attraction complete with Santa’s Grotto last month. Guests can also rent a cottage on the farm.

Winners of the Cheshire Awards will be entered into the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, where they’ll represent Cheshire and Warrington and compete against the country’s best tourism businesses.

Jamie Christon, Chair of Marketing Cheshire, said: “The region’s world-class tourism sector supports 38,000 jobs and attracts more than 56 million visits a year. The standard of entries for this year’s awards has been phenomenal, we are delighted that Liz and Kelvin will be joining us to recognise and celebrate the brilliant people powering the Cheshire and Warrington visitor economy.”

Confirmed finalists

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

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, Chester

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