Lancaster theatres The Dukes and the Grand are among the finalists in the annual Lancashire Tourism Awards.
Both of the city's theatres have been shortlisted in the Cultural Venue/Organisation category at the annual awards.
The Royal at Heysham, Lancashire Police Museum based at Lancaster Castle, Wonderland Retreats in Carnforth, and Black Knights Parachute Centre and Farm Yard Brew Co at Cockerham are also among the finalists for the awards to be held in February.
The finalists will progress through a number of stages including mystery shopping, announced visits and interviews with the independent Lancashire Tourism Award judges.
The finalists are:
Accessible & Inclusive Tourism*
Blackpool Zoo
The Estuary Riverside Chalets, Hambleton
WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, Burscough
Business Events Venue*
Anderton Centre, Chorley
Samlesbury Hall
Stanley House Hotel & Spa, Mellor
Winter Gardens Blackpool
Camping, Glamping & Holiday Park*
Hedgerow Luxury Glamping, Newsholme
Samlesbury Hall
The Secret Garden Glamping, Skelmersdale
Wonderland Retreats, Carnforth
Cultural Venue / Organisation
Lancaster Grand Theatre
Samlesbury Hall
The Dukes, Lancaster
The Lowther Pavilion Theatre & Gardens, Lytham
The Whitaker Museum and Art Gallery, Rawtenstall
Winter Gardens Blackpool
Dog Friendly Business
Affinity Lancashire, Fleetwood
Samlesbury Hall
The Lawrence, Padiham
The Millstone, Mellor
Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism*
Brickhouse Farm Cottages, Hambleton
The Three Fishes, Mitton
WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, Burscough
Experience of the year*
Black Knights Parachute Centre, Cockerham
Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours
The Woodland Spa, Burnley
Family Owned or Run Business
1842 & Ivory Tower
Dowsons Dairies, Clayton-Le-Dale
Foxfields Country Hotel, Billington
Harrison Holidays, Preston
Staining Lodge Golf Course, Staining
Hotel Wedding Venue
Mytton Fold Hotel, Langho
Stanley House Hotel & Spa, Mellor
The Lawrence, Padiham
Weddings at Ribby Hall Village, Wrea Green
Lancashire Perfect Stay – Small Serviced Accommodation*
The Fossil Tree Hotel, Blackpool
The Lawrence, Padiham
The Royal at Heysham
Large Hotel*
Elgin Hotel, Blackpool
Hampton by Hilton Blackburn
Mytton Fold Hotel, Langho
Large Visitor Attraction *
Blackpool Zoo
East Lancashire Railway, Rawtenstall
New Tourism Business*
Aven Restaurant, Preston
Eight at Gazegill by Doug Crampton, Rimington
Everything Retreat, Mellor
Offshore, St Annes
Showtown, Blackpool
The Britannia Tap & Grill, Oswaldtwistle
Wonderland Retreats, Carnforth
Pub*
Farm Yard Brew Co, Cockerham
Haighton Manor
The Black Bull Old Langho
The Rum Fox, Grindleton
Self-Catering Accommodation*
Brickhouse Farm Cottages, Hambleton
Everything Retreat, Mellor
Laythams Holiday Lets Retreat, Slaidburn
Oakdean Cottages, Langho
The Estuary Riverside Chalets, Hambleton
Small Visitor Attraction *
Lancashire Police Museum, Lancaster
Samlesbury Hall
Spitfire Visitor Centre, Blackpool
Taste Lancashire*
Artisan Ribble Valley, Billington
Aven Restaurant, Preston
Bertram’s Restaurant, Burnley
The Three Fishes, Mitton
Wedding Venue
Samlesbury Hall
The Glasshouse at Staining Lodge, Staining
West Tower Wedding Venue, Aughton
*Winners in these categories will have the opportunity to go through to the national Visit England Awards for Excellence.
The award categories of Small Event, Large Event and Hospitality & Tourism Student Award will remain open until October 11 and the finalists in these categories will be announced at the end of October.
"The finalists have been through a rigorous shortlisting process, mapped against nationally set criteria, and earned a place in the county’s most prestigious tourism and hospitality awards," said Vikki Harris, Marketing and Partnership Director of award organisers Marketing Lancashire.
"We wish them luck through the next stages of the competition and look forward to celebrating with them at the awards ceremony early next year. Some of the finalists will now be visited by mystery shoppers and some by appointment, but all will have the opportunity to meet with our esteemed panel of judges in November.
"Our judges will consider all the evidence, reports and interviews before selecting the winners of the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2024.
"This year’s finalists are leaders in their field and we are thrilled to support them through the next stages of the awards process and to support our judges, who have quite a task on their hands. Congratulations to all this year’s finalists, you’ve risen to the challenge and are now on your way to winning a prestigious Lancashire Tourism Award."
Read more here about the 2023 Awards and winners: Morecambe vintage festival and Lancaster theatre win at Lancashire Tourism Awards - Beyond Radio
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