Northamptonshire Tourism Business Awards 2026 - entries now open
09 July 2026
Following on from the success of the 2025 awards, Discover Northamptonshire are inviting entries for this year’s Northamptonshire Business Tourism Awards 2026 - designed to celebrate excellence across the visitor economy.
Submissions are now welcomed from businesses and organisations across the sector. The deadline for entries is 31 July 2026, offering a vital platform for recognition, growth and national progression. Headline sponsor for this year’s event is Wilson Browne Solicitors.
The launch of this year’s awards follows on from last year’s ‘Pub of the Year’ winner - the Tollemache Arms picking up the ‘Bronze’ award in the same category at the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2026.
Categories for this year are:
- Large Visitor Attraction of the Year (sponsored by London Northwestern Railway)
- Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
- Camping, Glamping & Holiday Park of the Year
- Experience of the Year
- Self-catering Accommodation of the Year
- Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award
- Unsung Hero Award
- New Tourism Business of the Year
- Taste of England Award
- Pub of the Year
- Large Hotel of the Year
- Small Hotel of the Year
- B&B and Guest House of the Year
Winners in each of the category will qualify for the prestigious national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.
The 2025 Tourism Business Awards at Silverstone Museum set the bar high, and I have seen first hand what recognition means to those who enter and win. These awards matter because Northamptonshire's visitor economy is genuinely exceptional, and the businesses driving it deserve to be celebrated and championed on a national stage. Discover Northamptonshire brings together partners united by a single ambition: to unlock the full potential of this county as a destination, delivering real economic and social returns for communities across the region. I urge every eligible business to enter. The rewards go well beyond a trophy.Richard Clinton, Chair of the Discover Northamptonshire LVEP
Northamptonshire continues to shine with its wealth of cultural and natural assets, alongside an outstanding community of tourism businesses - from welcoming village pubs to major visitor attractions. The Northamptonshire Tourism Awards 2026 are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate these successes, with winners in each category going on to represent the county on the national stage at the prestigious VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.Cllr Greg Wilcox, North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive Member for Communities
I would encourage all eligible businesses to explore the information online and submit an application - I’m truly excited to discover and celebrate even more of the incredible talent and innovation across our local visitor economy.
We’re proud to support a thriving visitor economy in the county, led by fantastic local businesses and the strong partnership behind Discover Northamptonshire.Cllr Mark Arnull, Leader of West Northamptonshire Council
The Tourism Business Awards are a great way to celebrate the quality, creativity and hard work that make our area such an attractive place to visit.
Tourism plays a vital role in our economy, supporting jobs, boosting local spending and strengthening our communities.
We’re seeing real benefits from promoting Northamptonshire as a must-visit destination, especially as part of the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor, which is bringing significant new investment into the area.
I’d encourage all eligible businesses to get involved and gain the recognition they deserve.
Last year’s ‘Pub of the Year’ winner was recently recognised on the national stage at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, having been selected as one of just 53 finalists from over 1,000 entries nationwide and picking up the Bronze award at the national event in early June.
We are excited to put Northamptonshire on the map at Nationals and be a part of building the noise... the Cotswolds are starting to become fearful of Northamptonshire pubs!Joe Buckley, Owner, The Tollemache Arms
The awards are proudly supported by Discover Northamptonshire Ambassadors and Wilson Browne Solicitors – both of who are passionate advocates for the county who are committed to supporting the promotion of the county and are committed to supporting the promotion of the county, collaboration, and sector growth.
We are proud to have supported the people and businesses of Northamptonshire for an unbroken 195 years. Becoming Ambassadors is a privilege, and we’re delighted to champion the outstanding businesses, destinations and experiences that drive the county’s visitor economy. Just as we are #AllTheHelpYouNeed for local people and their businesses, Discover Northamptonshire are #AllTheHelpYouNeed for this sector. Their ambitious plans for creative and impactful campaigns are impressive, and we’re proud to support a mission that will shine a light on everything our county has to offer while helping fuel sustainable growth. It’s an approach that benefits everyone, makes smiles, creates jobs and enriches lives along the way - and one we are fully behind.Kevin Rogers, Chair, Wilson Browne Solicitors
Partnering with Discover Northamptonshire for a second year, on a larger scale, feels like a natural fit for London Northwestern Railway. Our commitment to encouraging more visitors to travel by rail supports a more sustainable way to explore while making it easier and more affordable to go further and discover somewhere new. We are excited to support Discover Northamptonshire’s mission to attract more visitors and showcase the county’s outstanding attractions, experiences and local businesses.London Northwestern Railway
Sponsorship opportunities are now available for the Northamptonshire Tourism Awards 2026, providing organisations with a high-profile platform to support and engage with the county’s thriving tourism sector alongside headline sponsors Wilson Browne Solicitors and Category Sponsors, North Northamptonshire Council and West Northamptonshire Council. Contact [email protected] for more details.
The finalists of the Northamptonshire Tourism Business Awards will be announced at the Discover Northamptonshire Business Conference on 7 October at Kettering Park Hotel. It is advised for businesses to save the date now with tickets going live later this month.
Full details on categories, entry criteria, deadlines and how to apply, visit the Discover Northamptonshire website.