Shortlist revealed for Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Tourism Awards – as public voting OPENS for Festivals & Events Category

Following a record number of entries, finalists have been unveiled in 15 awards categories celebrating the best of the local visitor economy, ranging from hotels, B&Bs and campsites to pubs, visitor attractions and unique experiences.

In addition, public voting has officially opened for the new ‘Festival or Event of the Year’ category which champions quality events and festivals that have taken place in the Peak District and Derbyshire – from country shows and music festivals to unique exhibitions and arts trails.

There are 9 finalists competing to take the title of Festival or Event of the Year 2025, with voting open until 1 December 2024. The finalist with the largest number of votes will secure the crown. To check out the events and festivals in the running and to cast your vote go to: Peak District & Derbyshire - Application Gallery

Shortlisted businesses in the remaining categories will now go forward to the final round of independent judging, including a series of mystery shopping visits, before the winners are selected ahead of a joint Derbyshire-Nottinghamshire awards ceremony held at the East Midlands Conference Centre in Nottingham on Thursday 20 March 2025.

The region’s two Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs) – Visit Peak District, Derbyshire and Derby and Visit Nottinghamshire – are joining forces to deliver the awards ceremony in partnership for the first time, with the support of the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA).

The ceremony will be hosted by Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, and is set to be a stunning showcase of the value and quality of the region’s combined £5.25bn visitor economy, celebrating the exceptional talent and innovation across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

Following the awards ceremony, Gold winners in each of the core categories will progress onto the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence in June 2025, which represent the highest accolades in English tourism.

The 2025 Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Tourism Awards are sponsored by EV charging specialists VoltShare and Derbyshire-based C W Sellors Fine Jewellery & Luxury Watches, who will be designing and handcrafting bespoke awards for all Gold winners. The joint awards ceremony is sponsored by Nottingham Venues.

Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, says:

“The Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Tourism Awards are a celebration of our vibrant tourism industry and its enormous contribution to the local and regional economy. As we look forward to celebrating with finalists and partners at our landmark joint Derbyshire-Nottinghamshire awards ceremony in 2025, it’s an extra-special time to not only celebrate individual businesses, but to also recognise the importance of the visitor economy in delivering growth, supporting jobs and driving economic prosperity across the East Midlands.

“Our 2025 finalists are a fantastic mix of diverse, innovative and passionate businesses from across the county who deliver consistently high quality, memorable experiences for some of the 42 million visitors who come to the area each year. It will be a privilege to bring all the finalists together next March to mark their achievements and we wish every shortlisted finalist the very best of luck.”

Martyn Wright of C W Sellors Fine Jewellery & Luxury Watches says: “As a proud Derbyshire business that understands the importance of quality, we’re delighted to be sponsoring the 2025 Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Tourism Awards. The awards are a great way to celebrate excellence within the area’s diverse tourism sector, and we look forward to presenting Gold winners with their luxury bespoke awards on 20 March 2025.”

Peak District, Derbyshire and Derby Tourism Awards: The 2025 Shortlist

Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award
Matlock Farm Park
Miller's Dale Station, Peak District National Park Authority
Peak Edge Hotel, Chesterfield

B&B and Guest House of the Year
The Bull’s Head, Foolow
The Yorkshire Bridge Inn, Bamford
Sheldon House, Monyash

Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year
Boutique Glamping at Scaldersitch Farm
Darwin Forest Lodges
3Trees Glamping Ltd

Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award
Host & Stay
Morley Hayes
The Welcome Team

Experience of the Year
Thornbridge House Tour
Great British Car Journey, Drive Dad's Car
Pub Tours Ltd

Festival or Event of the Year – public vote now open
Eat in the Park
Bakewell Country Festival
Chatsworth Country Fair
Bustler Market: On The Road
The Peak District Highland Games
Haddon Hall Mercatum Christmas Artisan Market
Buxton International Festival
Matlock Bath Illuminations
Bearded Theory Festival

Hotel of the Year
Fischer's Baslow Hall
The Cavendish Hotel, Baslow
Peak Edge Hotel, Chesterfield

New Tourism Business of the Year
The Cupola Café - bar - pizza - grill
The Ashford Arms, Ashford-in-the-Water
3Trees Glamping Ltd

Pub of the Year
The Blind Bull, Little Hucklow
The George, Hathersage
The Yorkshire Bridge Inn, Bamford

Self Catering Accommodation of the Year
Foxlow Grange by Muse Escapes
Bolehill Farm Cottages, Bakewell
Atlow Mill, Ashbourne

Taste of the Peak District, Derbyshire and Derby Award
The Maynard, Grindleford
Fischer's Baslow Hall, Baslow
The Cavendish Hotel, Baslow

Team of the Year
Belper North Mill Volunteers Association
The Yorkshire Bridge Inn Front of House Team
Bike and Boot Hotel, Hope

Tourism Young Achiever Award
Oliver Curl - The Barrel Inn
Ben Barber - The Maynard
Dylan Hunt - Atlantik Inns

Unsung Hero Award
Charlotte Uwins - The Scotsman's Pack
Ian Fairbrother - Thornbridge Estate
Jimmy Crookes - The Yorkshire Bridge Inn

Visitor Attraction of the Year
Thornbridge Estate
Bluebell Dairy Farm Park
The Children's Country House at Sudbury

Businesses interested in sponsoring a category at the 2025 Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Tourism Awards should contact Lindsay Rae at lindsay.rae@visitpeakdistrict.com.

For more details on the Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Tourism Awards please visit: www.visitpeakdistrict.com/industry/events/category/tourism-awards.

Businesses interested in sponsoring a category at the 2025 Nottinghamshire Tourism Awards should contact Annette Thornley at businessdevelopment@visit-nottinghamshire.co.uk

For more details on the Nottinghamshire Tourism Awards please visit at www.visit-nottinghamshire.co.uk/nottinghamshire-tourism-awards.

ENDS
For press enquiries, please contact Amy Noton at 07387 141590, amy.noton@visitpeakdistrict.com

Notes to editors

About Visit Peak District & Derbyshire
Visit Peak District & Derbyshire’s mission is to develop and grow a successful and sustainable tourism economy, working closely with a wide range of partners to make the Peak District and Derbyshire the destination of choice – regionally, nationally and globally.
Visit Peak District & Derbyshire is the lead partner of the Visit Peak District, Derbyshire and Derby Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP), in collaboration with Visit Derby. The LVEP is the strategic lead for the local visitor economy, working closely with national tourist body VisitEngland on a set of shared priorities to deliver sustainable and inclusive visitor economy growth.
For more information visit www.visitpeakdistrict.com/industry
Inspiration on things to do and where to stay in the Peak District and Derbyshire is available at www.visitpeakdistrict.com

About Visit Derby
Visit Derby‘s mission is to develop and improve as a sustainable, competitive visitor destination based on a growing reputation for providing a quality experience across all aspects of the visitor journey.
For the latest industry information see www.visitderby.co.uk/derby-tourism-industry
For inspiration about what to see and do in Derby and where to stay see www.visitderby.co.uk

About East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA)

East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) was established in Spring 2024, following a £1.14 billion devolution deal with Government. EMCCA, which covers Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Nottingham, is led by Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, with powers devolved from Government to make regional decisions around transport, housing, skills and adult education and net zero. More info here  Home - East Midlands Combined County Authority (eastmidlands-cca.gov.uk)