Northamptonshire counts down to the first ever countywide tourism awards
Culture and tourism11 February 2026
The first ever Discover Northamptonshire Tourism Awards will take place at Silverstone Museum on Friday 27 February.
The brand-new awards shine a spotlight on the very best of Northamptonshire’s vibrant tourism, hospitality and leisure sector, celebrating businesses that deliver exceptional visitor experiences and contribute to a thriving local economy. The awards were created to champion the industry’s innovation, resilience and community impact. This is a great opportunity for the county to build on the momentum of the Local Visitor Economy Partnership accreditation and the rising national profile for the county’s tourism sector.
In Autumn 2025, Discover Northamptonshire invited nominations for the awards across 11 award categories ranging from ‘hotel of the year’ to ‘small visitor attraction’ and ‘pub of the year’. Over 50 nominations were received and the shortlisted businesses have been invited to the event on 27 February.
Winners of the Discover Northamptonshire Tourism Awards will progress to the national Visit England Awards for Excellence, helping to showcase Northamptonshire’s outstanding tourism offer on a national stage and raise the county’s profile as a must-visit destination. These awards shine a spotlight on the very best of England’s tourism industry - recognising outstanding achievements in quality, innovation, and customer service. Winning one of these coveted awards not only confirms a business as a national leader, but also opens doors to valuable media coverage, enhanced business development, and exclusive networking opportunities.
These awards are about recognising the people and businesses who quietly go above and beyond every day to make Northamptonshire a great place to visit. From small independents to established attractions, they play a vital role in shaping first impressions, creating memorable experiences and supporting local jobs. Bringing the sector together to celebrate that contribution feels both timely and important, and I am delighted to see such a strong response to the very first Discover Northamptonshire Tourism Awards.Richard Clinton, Chair of the Northamptonshire LVEP
The first Discover Northamptonshire awards are supported by North Northamptonshire Council and West Northamptonshire Council, through £10,000 of UK Shared Prosperity funding.
Northamptonshire is a really unique place, packed full of excellent tourism attractions and hospitality. It’s only right that our local tourism businesses get the recognition they deserve and the first Discover Northamptonshire awards are designed to do just that.Cllr Greg Wilcox, North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive Member for Communities
There are some really strong nominations across all the categories and I look forward to see who is revealed as the overall winners on 27 February.
Northamptonshire’s visitor economy continues to go from strength to strength, and these awards are a fantastic way to recognise the businesses and people who make that possible.Cllr James Petter, WNC’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure
From our hospitality venues and attractions to the small independent operators who give the county its unique character, these awards celebrate the quality, creativity and commitment that help attract visitors, support jobs and boost our local economy.
The 2026 awards are proudly headlined by Wilson Browne Solicitors, who play a key role in championing excellence and helping the awards raise the profile of Northamptonshire’s visitor economy, and London Northwestern Railway (LRN).
Wilson Browne is delighted to serve as the Headline Sponsor for the first ever Northamptonshire Tourism Business Awards. As an advocate for local businesses, we are so excited to partner with Discover Northamptonshire for local organisations and attractions to receive the recognition they deserve; ours is truly a must-visit destination! Given our dedication to supporting local businesses, we are delighted to celebrate their achievements and the vital role they play in Northamptonshire’s visitor economy.Wilson Browne Solicitors
Winners will be announced via the Discover Northamptonshire channels during and after the event on 27 February.