Meet the East of England Tourism Awards 2023-2024 finalists

Tourism businesses operating across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire have entered the 12 categories at this year’s awards, and the judges have chosen three finalists in each (see list below).

You can find out more about these industry-leading businesses in our launch supplement, as well as the Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award – a non-entry category that will be awarded to an inspirational individual working in the tourism sector at the awards evening in February.

"With a wealth of natural spaces, exciting attractions, welcoming accommodation and award-winning eateries, the East of England offers one of the most diverse and special places to visit in the UK," said Vincent Boni, managing director of Newsquest Eastern Counties, which runs the awards. "It’s no wonder people come back here year after year to discover everything the East has to offer.

"Tourism is a huge part of the region’s economy. It attracts more than 140 million day-trippers a year, nearly 10 million staying visits and directly employs 240,000 people.

"We are competing with destinations across the rest of the world, so we should honour and highlight the incredible work that is done in our region so that we can help these local businesses thrive."

The winners of last year’s awards (Image: Matt Potter Photography and Videography)
Special thanks go to our headline sponsor Hoseasons, which celebrated 80 years of providing unforgettable holidays in 2023.

This year’s awards are brought to you in association with Visit East of England, which also operates Visit Suffolk and Visit Norfolk. The three finalists in each category for the East of England Tourism Awards 2023-2024 will go forward to the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence finals and could potentially be named the best in the country.

Five outstanding businesses from the East of England won honours at the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence in 2023, demonstrating the spectacular offering of our region. Who knows how many of the firms below will be recognised this year?

We look forward to celebrating all of the finalists and winners at a glamorous black-tie event on Thursday, February 15, 2024 at Snape Maltings in Suffolk.

For more information and to purchase tickets for the event, please visit tourismawards.co.uk

Meet the finalists

Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award
Colchester Castle
Colchester Zoo
ROARR!

Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year
Albion Nights
Applewood Countryside Park 
Deepdale Camping & Rooms

Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award
Sponsored by Swiss Camplings
Holkham
Markshall
Mill Farm Eco Barns 

Experience of the Year
Eastwood Whelpton Sailing Holidays 
Jimmy's Farm & Wildlife Park 
Hertfordshire Zoo

Large Hotel of the Year 
Sponsored by Ensors Chartered Accountants
Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate 
Turing Locke 
Wivenhoe House Hotel 

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
Sponsored by Howes Percival
Hertfordshire Zoo
ROARR!
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter

New Tourism Business of the Year
Fire and Feast Suffolk 
Potters Resorts Five Lakes
The Bell Hotel, Saxmundham

Small Serviced Accommodation of the Year
Retreat East 
The Assembly House Norwich 
The Victoria 

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
Hasty's Adventure Farm 
The Bug Parc
The Suffolk Punch Trust 

Pub of the Year
Sponsored by Everard Cole
The Angel at Watlington 
The Lion
The Three Horseshoes 

Self Catering Accommodation of the Year
Sponsored by cottages.com
Bethnal&Bec Luxury Stays 
LandyCampers 
The Suffolk Escape 

Taste of East of England Award
Sponsored by Adnams
Namaste Village Norwich 
River Green Restaurant, Norwich
Yalm Foodhall 

To find out more about this year's finalists, click here.