Chesterfield businesses win big at 2026 Tourism Awards
Our region’s outstanding tourism businesses took centre-stage last week as the winners of the 2026 Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Tourism Awards and the Nottinghamshire Tourism Awards were announced at a glittering joint awards ceremony.
Finalists were recognised across 35 award categories, spanning hotels, B&Bs, attractions, pubs, cafés, unique visitor experiences and unsung heroes, showcasing the very best of the local tourism industry.
And there was particular success for Chesterfield and our surrounding area, with a number of local businesses and Chesterfield Champions among those recognised on the night.
In the Festival or Event of the Year category, Celebrating Jane Austen at Chatsworth took Gold, while Chesterfield businesses made their mark across several key categories. The Tickled Trout was awarded Gold for Pub of the Year, and Peak Edge Hotel also secured Gold in the Hotel of the Year category.
Food and drink businesses performed strongly too, with Hackney House Café and Deli awarded Gold in the Café and Tearoom category, while Red Lion Restaurant at Peak Edge Hotel received Silver in the Restaurant of the Year category.
Nominees progressed through a rigorous judging process – including mystery visits and independent expert assessment – before gathering at the ceremony, where Gold, Silver and Bronze winners were announced.
The prestigious event was held at Pride Park Stadium 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 contribution to the East Midlands economy.
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.
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 and 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
