Visit Cheshire Tourism Awards 2027 finalists announced as luxury countryside venue unveiled as host

A much-loved ice cream farm, a world-famous Zoo and an historic country estate are celebrating after making it as finalists for the 2027 Visit Cheshire Tourism Awards.

Spread over 18 categories, the awards are organised by Marketing Cheshire, the name behind Visit Cheshire and sponsored by recruitment specialists Staff 86. They celebrate the businesses and individuals behind the region’s £4.3billion visitor economy which attracts almost 60m visitors each year.

From iconic attractions and spa stays to unforgettable events and outstanding hospitality, the shortlist recognises the very best from across Cheshire and Warrington.

The winners also go forward to compete in the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence and will hope to emulate Jayne Chapman from Tatton Park, who was crowned the national Unsung Hero in June, after winning at the Visit Cheshire Tourism Awards earlier this year.

Marketing Cheshire, has also announced that the final, on Thursday 11 February will be hosted at the luxury Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere, near Knutsford, which reopened last Friday following a three-year, multi-million-pound redevelopment and is itself a double nominee.

World-famous attraction and conservation charity Chester Zoo is shortlisted in five categories for services across the business, namely: Business Event Venue of the Year Award, Large Hotel of the Year Award, Large Visitor Attraction of the Year Award, New Tourism Business of the Year Award and Wedding Venue of the Year Award.

Other Cheshire gems with multiple nominations include The Bear's Paw in Warmingham and The Pheasant Inn in Tattenhall, both shortlisted in Pub of the Year Award, the Taste of Cheshire Award and Small Serviced Accommodation Award.

While the Ice Cream Farm in Chester is hoping to enjoy a double helping of success – finding itself as a finalist in the Accessible and Inclusive Tourism and Large Visitor Attraction of the Year categories.

This year also sees a new category - Rising Star - which honours a 16-to-24-year-old who has shown outstanding commitment to building skills, advancing their career, and contributing to the region's tourism sector.

Judges are still sifting through entries in some categories and entries remain open in the Best Event or Festival Award - which closes on Friday, August 28 to account for Cheshire and Warrington's busy summer events season.

Jamie Christon, Chair of the Marketing Cheshire Advisory Board, said: "Our judges face a really tough decision this year, with entries showing the incredibly high standard of talent and work happening across the region's £4.3billion visitor economy.  "We're delighted to announce that we will be celebrating these achievements at Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere, after its stunning refurb and expansion."

Gary Johnson, General Manager at Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere, a celebrated countryside estate nestled on 157 acres beside The Mere Lake just outside Knutsford, said:  "We’re delighted to be the venue hosts for this year’s Visit Cheshire Tourism Awards at such an exciting time for Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere, following the recent redevelopment and reopening under the luxury Fairmont brand.

"As we begin this new chapter, it’s a privilege to welcome and celebrate the exceptional businesses and people of Cheshire and Warrington."

Tickets for the glittering event can be purchased here

 Confirmed finalists:

Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award

Circus Starr (Congleton)

Forestry England Delamere Forest (Northwich)

The Ice Cream Farm (Tattenhall)

Business Events Venue of the Year

Cottons Hotel & Spa (Knutsford)

Crewe Hall Hotel and Spa (Crewe)

Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa (Nr Chester)

Oddfellows Chester (Chester)

The Square at Chester Zoo (Chester)

Wychwood Park Hotel and Golf Club (Nr Crewe)

Camping, Glamping Holiday Park of the Year

Aqueduct Marina (Nantwich)

Lady Heyes Holiday Park (Frodsham)

New Farm Cheshire Holidays (Winsford)

Experience of the Year

Chester Cathedral (Chester)

Go Ape Delamere Forest (Northwich)

Halton Village Silver (Frodsham)

Lapland Group (Macclesfield)

Live History (Chester)

Walking Food Tours UK (Chester)

Wild Shore  (Delamere)

Large Hotel of the Year

Cottons Hotel & Spa (Knutsford)

Crewe Hall Hotel and Spa (Crewe)

Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa (Nr Chester)

Hotel Indigo, Chester (Chester)

Moxy Chester (Chester)

Peckforton Castle (Tarporley)

The Queen at Chester Hotel (Chester)

The Reserve at Chester Zoo (Chester)

Large Visitor Attraction of the year

Chester Zoo (Chester)

Forestry England Delamere Forest (Delamere)

Storyhouse (Chester)

The Ice Cream Farm (Tattenhall)

Walton Hall and Gardens (Warrington)

New Tourism Business

Holmes Chapel Zoo (Holmes Chapel)

The Reserve at Chester Zoo (Chester)

Pub of the Year

The Bear's Paw (Warmingham)

The Fishpool Inn (Northwich)

The Fox and Hounds in Sproston (Nr Holmes Chapel)

The Pheasant Inn (Tattenhall)

The White Horse in Churton (Nr Tattenhall)

Rising Star

Mollie Fish, Circus Starr (Congleton)

Shaun Gill, Hotel Indigo Chester & The Forge (Chester)

Small Serviced Accommodation of the Year

Oddfellows Chester (Chester)

The Bear's Paw (Warmingham)

The Hive at 52 (Northwich)

The North Wing at Combermere Abbey (Burleydam)

The Pheasant Inn (Tattenhall)

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year

AXT Haus (Chester)

Escapism Chester (Chester)

The Hole In Wand Chester (Chester)

Taste of Cheshire Award

Nunsmere Hall (Northwich)

Pars Kahve (Chester)

Restaurant Noted (Chester)

The Bear's Paw (Warmingham)

The Fishpool Inn (Northwich)

The Pheasant Inn (Tattenhall)

Tilly's Bunbury (Tarporley)

Upstairs at the Grill (Chester)

Team of the Year

Circus Starr (Congleton) 
Combermere Abbey Estate (Burleydam)

Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere (Nr Knutsford)

Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement (Macclesfield)

Tatton Park (Knutsford)

The Park Royal Hotel & Spa (Warrington)

The Queen at Chester Hotel (Chester)

Unsung Hero Award

Ivette Marocsik, Head Housekeeper, Cottons Hotel (Knutsford)

Jamie Donoher, IT Manager, Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere (Knutsford)

Tori Hayes, Marketing and Events Manager, Taste Cheshire (Chester)

Wedding Venue of the Year

Chester Zoo (Chester)

Crewe Hall Hotel & Spa (Crewe)

Larkspur Lodge (Knutsford)

Peckforton Castle (Tarporley)

Rowton Hall Hotel and Spa (Nr Chester)

The Parr's Bank Hotel (Warrington)

Walton Hall and Gardens (Warrington)