Beechenhill Farm wins top gong at Tourism Awards

A NUMBER of different attractions picked up a host of awards at the 2018 Enjoy Staffordshire Tourism Awards.

The winners of 13 categories were announced by the host, BBC Midlands Today newsreader Joanne Malin, before an audience of more than 100 guests at the National Arboretum.

Beechenhill Farm in Ilam won the Sustainable Tourism Award.

Sarah Montgomery, chairwoman of Enjoy Staffordshire and managing director of the National Memorial Arboretum, said: “Well done to all our winners, and thank you to everyone who entered this year’s awards for your unwavering commitment to providing the best possible experience for visitors to Staffordshire.

“Tourism continues to be a major part of the county’s economic landscape, employing just under

32,000 jobs and generating £1.8billion a year for the local economy.

“Without the dedication and hard work of our tourism businesses this would not be possible, so it was a pleasure to celebrate and reward your success once again.”

The Just So Festival, held at the Rode Hall Estate on the Staffordshire border, won bronze in the Sustainable Tourism Award and in the best tourism experience of the year.

In the Holiday Park/ Glamping Village of the Year, Quarry Walk Park in Freehay also took bronze.

Ballfields Barn, Bradnop, won silver in the Self-catering Holiday Property of the Year section while Beechenhill Farm picked up a second award of the night when they claimed silver in the Selfcatering Holiday Provider of the Year category.

Alton Towers Resort Hotels was third in Hotel of the

Year and in the Enterprise Partnership award.