Holmes Chapel’s Harry Styles’ inspired tour, a “perfect 10” hotel and a fun-filled ice cream farm were among visitor economy gems scooping Marketing Cheshire tourism awards in 2025.
“Hollyoaks” star Ashley Taylor Dawson hosted the glittering event before a 300-strong audience at Chester Cathedral.
The Cheshire-born and raised actor said he was “truly privileged to crown the stars of Cheshire’s visitor economy” worth £3.9 billion amid more than 56 million annual recorded visitor days to the region.
Hitting a high note was the Harry Styles-inspired Harry’s Home Village Tour.
The guided tour through Holmes Chapel allows people to learn about the history of the village where the former One Direction member and global pop star grew up.
It took the new tourism business award, with judges describing it as “a truly unique experience, with a real focus on supporting the local community and building awareness for the area”.
The attraction was also highly commended in the best tourism marketing project of the year category. Taking victory in this category was Bewilderwood. The adventure park, home to muddled mazes in 70 acres of enchanted woodland next to the historic Cholmondeley Castle, won the award for its discounted ticket promotion Twiggle Tots.
Judges noted: “More sympathetic pricing for an adult with a tot and targeted marketing led to an upturn of weekday attendance.”
Business events venue of the year was Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement.
Categories this year included a new best event or festival award which went to Deva Fest, now in its fifth year and expecting a record-breaking crowd in the grounds of Cholmondeley Castle in August.
Judges said the music festival, was “a fantastic event and the team is clearly passionate about creating a nationally/internationally recognised music festival” whose line-up for 2025 includes singing legend Gloria Gaynor.
Others tasting success on the night included The Ice Cream Farm in Tattenhall. The UK’s only ice cream-themed family attraction was named visitor attraction of the year, with judges remarking it was not only home to “lots of activities” but the “ice cream was delicious and there was a huge selection of flavours to choose from”.
The Pheasant Inn, Tattenhall has another feather in its cap after winning the Taste of Cheshire award. Other hospitality heroes included large hotel of the year winner Rookery Hall Hotel and Spa in Nantwich with one judge saying it was a “perfect 10” venue, adding: “The whole experience was fantastic, including the venue, the team, the food and the quality throughout the visit.”
The green credentials of National Trust site Lyme Park helped it win the ethical, responsible and sustainable tourism award, with judges calling it “a business that clearly cares about what it is doing and the reasons for acting and operating in a sustainable way”.
Team of the year was the North West Destination and Attraction Team at the Canal and River Trust.
Wedding venue of the year was Crewe Hall Hotel and Spa.
Trevor Brocklebank, chair of Marketing Cheshire, said: “Every year the standard of entries is incredible. Cheshire is blessed with businesses and individuals who work tirelessly to ensure the region’s tourism offering continues to be globally renowned, generating billions for our economy and attracting millions of visitors every year across Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire East and Warrington.”
