Winners announced for Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby at East Midlands Tourism Awards Ceremony

The prestigious event was held at Pride Park Stadium in Derby and brought together over 380 guests including industry leaders, innovators and rising stars for a night of recognition and celebration during English Tourism Week (13-22 March).

The region’s two Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs) – Visit Nottinghamshire and Visit Peak District, Derbyshire and Derby – joined forces to deliver the awards ceremony in partnership for the second year, highlighting the sector’s vital £5.25bn of economic impact contribution to the East Midlands’ economy.

Finalists were recognised across 35 overall awards categories, spanning hotels, B&Bs, attractions, pubs, cafes, unique visitor experiences and unsung heroes, showcasing the very best of the local tourism industry.

Nominees progressed through a rigorous judging process – including mystery visits and independent expert assessment – before gathering at last night’s ceremony, where Gold, Silver and Bronze winners were announced across both competitions.

The awards were held in partnership with VisitEngland and Gold winners in each core category will now have the opportunity to represent the region at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence in June 2026 – the highest national accolade in English tourism.

Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, said: “The Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Tourism Awards provide an inspiring moment to come together and celebrate the passion, innovation and dedication that drive our visitor economy forward. This event is more than an awards ceremony - it’s a showcase of the remarkable businesses, individuals and experiences that contribute £3.58bn in economic value to the local economy.

“By uniting finalists, partners and champions of tourism in the East Midlands under one roof, we’re able to highlight the strength of collaboration in delivering exceptional experiences, boosting local pride and contributing significantly to our economic growth. Congratulations to our worthy winners!”

Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said:  

“The East Midlands Tourism Awards showcase the places and experiences that make our region so special.  

“I’m proud to congratulate all of this year’s winners and finalists who are helping to make the East Midlands a destination of choice. Their hard work, creativity and passion not only attract visitors from far and wide, but also support local jobs, businesses and communities.  

“Together we are building a stronger visitor economy and making the East Midlands an even better place to live, work and visit.” 

For the full list of winners from the Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Awards please visit: https://visitpeakdistrict.com/industry/events/category/tourism-awards

For the full list of winners from the Nottinghamshire Tourism Awards please visit: https://www.visit-nottinghamshire.co.uk/nottinghamshire-tourism-awards/2026-nottinghamshire-tourism-awards-winners

The awards are proudly sponsored by Derbyshire County Football Club, Voltshare, East Midlands Airport, North Notts BID, Fancy Entertainment and Luxbooth.

Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Tourism Awards: The 2026 Winners

Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award:

• Hoe Grange Holidays - Gold
• The Cupola - Silver
• Peak Edge Hotel - Bronze

B&B and Guest House of the Year:

• The Bulls Head, Foolow - Gold
• The Dragon, Willington - Silver
• The Boot, Repton - Bronze

Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year:

• Sandybrook Lodges - Gold
• Hartington Hills - Silver
• Rivendale Lodge Retreat - Bronze

Dog Friendly Business of the Year:

• Rivendale Lodge Retreat - Gold
• Bike & Boot Inns Peak District - Silver
• Thornbridge Estate - Bronze

Experience of the Year:

• Peak Walking Adventures - Gold
• PeakePedals Ltd - Silver
• Buxton Pottery Painting - Bronze

Family Friendly Business of the Year:

• The Children’s Country House at Sudbury - Gold
• Bluebell Dairy Ltd - Silver
• Thornbridge Estate - Bronze

Festival or Event of the Year:

• Celebrating Jane Austen at Chatsworth - Gold
• Buxton Georgian Festival - Silver
• Alstom presents The Greatest Gathering - Bronze

Hotel of the Year:

• Peak Edge Hotel - Gold
• The Peacock at Rowsley - Silver
• Morley Hayes - Bronze

New Tourism Business of the Year:

• Langley Meadows - Gold
• Wild & Other - Silver
• The Torr Vale Tap - Bronze

Pub of the Year:

• The Tickled Trout, Barlow - Gold
• The Boot, Repton - Silver
• The Blind Bull - Bronze

Regenerative Tourism Award:

• Hoe Grange Holidays - Gold
• Wild & Other - Silver
• Morley Hayes - Bronze

Self Catering Accommodation of the Year:

• Darley House, nr Matlock - Gold
• Brosterfield Farm, Foolow - Silver
• The Cupola, Stoney Middleton - Bronze

Taste of the Peak District Derbyshire and Derby Award - Cafes and Tearooms:

• Hackney House Café and Deli, Barlow - Gold
• The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop, Bakewell - Silver
• On the Bridge, New Mills - Bronze

Taste of the Peak District Derbyshire and Derby Award - Restaurants:

• The Garden Room at Wildhive Callow Hall - Gold
• Red Lion Restaurant at Peak Edge Hotel - Silver
• The Peacock at Rowsley - Bronze

Team of the Year Award:

• Buxton Opera House Volunteers - Gold
• Arkwright Society, Cromford Mills - Silver
• The Wheatsheaf Pub & Pantry, Bakewell - Bronze

Tourism Young Achiever Award:

• Grace Medhurst, Yorkshire Bridge Inn - Gold
• Dylan Torr, Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust - Silver
• Melissa Collins, Bluebell Dairy - Bronze

Unsung Hero Award:

• Vivienne Smith, The National Stone Centre - Gold
• David Brown, Hoe Grange Holidays - Silver
• Jamie Parker, The Cupola Café-Bar-Pizza-Grill - Bronze

Visitor Attraction of the Year:

• Denby Pottery Village - Gold
• Bluebell Dairy Ltd - Silver
• National Trust - Calke Abbey - Bronze

ENDS

High resolution images attached.

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

Notes

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.
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 Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire and Visit Nottinghamshire 
Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire (MNN) is the official Place Marketing Organisation (PMO) for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. The organisation is responsible for growing the local economy through encouraging inward investment, attracting business and leisure visitors, talent attraction and aligning with the local business community. Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire is made up of four departments: Visit Nottinghamshire (including Nottingham Tourism Centre), Meet in Nottingham, Invest in Nottingham and Nottingham Partners.

For more information about MNN see: https://marketingnottingham.uk/

Visit Nottinghamshire is the division of Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire responsible for driving leisure and business visitors to the city and county, raising the profile of the region and developing a sustainable and accessible destination strategy.  For ideas and inspiration on things to do, places to see and stay see: https://www.visit-nottinghamshire.co.uk/