Northamptonshire’s burgeoning tourism sector was celebrated Friday evening at the inaugural Northamptonshire Tourism Business Awards, held at the Silverstone Museum. The event recognized excellence across a range of hospitality and leisure businesses, highlighting the county’s growing appeal to visitors.
Eleven awards were presented, acknowledging both individual achievements and team successes. Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust took the top prize in the Large Visitor Attraction of the Year category, although Boughton House & Estate was named Small Visitor Attraction of the Year. Revival Rum received a Highly Commended award in the same category.
Yoke Hill Leisure was recognized as the Latest Tourism Business of the Year. In the Camping, Glamping & Holiday Park of the Year category, New Lodge Farm secured the win, with Billing Aquadrome Holiday Park receiving a Highly Commended mention. Llama Trekking, Catanger Llamas, won Experience of the Year.
Fawsley Hall Hotel & Spa was awarded Hotel of the Year, with Kettering Park Hotel & Spa similarly receiving a Highly Commended. The Tollemache Arms was named Pub of the Year, and The Wheatsheaf and The Menagerie, Towcester, won Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year. The Palmichael secured the Taste of England Award, with Hibiscus Fine Dining receiving a Highly Commended.
Catanger Llamas also received a Highly Commended in the Accessible Tourism Award. The Unsung Hero Award went to Nick Wilson, a disabled adventurer, with Ken Hodgson of Delapre Abbey Preservation Trust and Declan Lightly of Billing Aquadrome Holiday Park also receiving Highly Commended awards.
Richard Clinton, Chair of Discover Northamptonshire LVEP, emphasized the resilience and dedication of the award winners, stating during the ceremony that their work is vital in “bringing our county to life.”
The awards were presented by Discover Northamptonshire, with support from North and West Northamptonshire Council, and funded in part by £10,000 of UK Shared Prosperity funding. Cllr Greg Wilcox, North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive Member for Communities, described the awards as a “fantastic celebration” of the county’s hospitality and talent. Cllr James Petter, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure at West Northamptonshire Council, echoed this sentiment, noting the awards’ role in showcasing Northamptonshire regionally and nationally.
A charity raffle held during the event raised over £1300 for the Northamptonshire Health Charity’s Sensory Spaces Appeal. Sponsors included Wilson Browne Solicitors, London Northwestern Railway, South Midlands Growth Hub, Silverstone Museum, Video Inn Production, Snapsea, Tangerine Red, and Northants Sings Out. BusinessTimes served as the media partner.
Discover Northamptonshire has announced that the Northamptonshire Tourism Business Awards will return in 2026. Winners from the inaugural awards will automatically be entered into the VisitEngland National Awards of Excellence.
