Cheshire West’s enchanted adventure park BeWILDerwood said it was still “over the moon” to be crowned Visitor Attraction of the Year and urged the region’s other tourist gems to go for glory in the 2023/4 Marketing Cheshire Tourism Awards.
Nominations are now open for the Marketing Cheshire Tourism Awards which, split into 16 categories, recognise individual and collective excellence and outstanding achievement in the region’s visitor economy and give accommodation providers, eateries and much-loved attractions the chance to show why they are a must-visit.
The awards show just why the region’s tourism sector is among the nation’s finest and visitor economy businesses entering also have the chance to enter the Visit England awards and showcase themselves on a national stage.
Following its triumph at the 2022/3 final in March, outdoor adventure park BeWILDerwood –where visitors walk in the footsteps of the curious characters from a magical book series – today spoke about the positive impact the award had on staff and urged other businesses in the region to enter this year.
Crowning BeWILDerwood, located next to the historic Cholmondeley Castle and set in 70 acres of enchanted woodland, as Visitor Attraction of The Year, impressed judges dubbed the attraction “a really enjoyable day out” after praising its “enthusiastic” team members and “safe and well maintained” attractions which include giant slippery slides, extra-long zip wires, muddled mazes and jungle bridges.
Encouraging Cheshire West businesses to fly the flag for the region and to enter the awards, BeWILDerwood’s Head of Marketing, Lydia Sharkey said: “As a fairly new attraction to the area, we were absolutely over the moon to win Visitor Attraction of the Year at the Marketing Cheshire Tourism Awards.
“It meant so much to the whole team and was fantastic to be recognised amongst the best of the best. We’re really happy we entered!”
Nominations close on September 1 and finalists will be announced on October 2, 2023 before the ceremony is held at a Cheshire venue on March 21,2024.
To enter the awards, go to the Marketing Cheshire Tourism Awards 2023/24 website HERE.
A Marketing Cheshire Tourism Awards Application Workshop offering hints and tips on what to include in entries is being held online between 10-11am on Thursday, July 13 and anyone wishing to attend should register HERE.
Other Cheshire West winners unveiled at the 2022/3 final at Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington were: Chester Zoo (Best Tourism Marketing Project of the Year), Tours Around Chester (Experience of the Year), The Swan at Tarporley (Pub of the Year), Storyhouse (Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award), The Ice Cream Farm (Resilience and Innovation Award), Carden Park (Large Hotel of the Year), Blakemere Holiday Park (Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year), Yew Tree Farm Holidays (Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year), The Hollies Farm Shop (Taste of Cheshire Award), Calico Campers (New Tourism Business Award).
Trevor Brocklebank, Chair of Marketing Cheshire and Deputy Chair of Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership said: “Every year the quality of entries is magnificent. We know the visitor economy contributes greatly to the region’s prosperity and I look forward to seeing nominations for individuals and organisations that continue to make Cheshire and Warrington a truly wonderful place to live and visit.”
Full list of categories below
• Visitor Attraction of the Year
• Best Tourism Marketing Project of the Year
• Unsung Hero Award
• Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year
• Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year
• Small Serviced Accommodation Provider of the Year
• Experience of the Year
• Pub of the Year
• Taste of Cheshire Award
• Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award
• New Tourism Business Award
• Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award
• Wedding Venue of the Year
• Large Hotel of the Year
• Business Events Venue of the Year
• Team of the Year
Find out more at: Cheshire and Warrington LEP