A Congleton circus is in the running for a top industry award.

The finalists of the Visit Cheshire Tourism Awards 2025/26 have been revealed.

Organised by Marketing Cheshire, the event celebrates the region's £3.9 billion visitor economy, with 18 awards up for grabs.

Congleton is represented by Circus Starr, with the charitable organisation up for the Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award.

Jamie Christon, chair of Marketing Cheshire, said: "Tourism in Cheshire and Warrington is truly world-class, supporting 38,000 jobs and welcoming over 56 million visitors each year.

"It's fantastic to see such a bumper crop of entries once again, showcasing the trailblazing businesses and inspirational individuals driving the region's success.

"The judges have an unenviable task this year – the standard has been exceptional."

Winners will be announced at a ceremony on Thursday, March 5, 2026 at Walton Hall and Gardens.

A full list of the finalists can be found below.

Marketing Cheshire's managing director Cristian Marcucci speaking at the 2025 ceremony (Credit: Marketing Cheshire)

Visit Cheshire Tourism Awards finalists 2025/26

Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award

• Circus Starr, Congleton
• The Ice Cream Farm, Tattenhall
• VR Warehouse Ltd, Runcorn

Best Event or Festival

• Boodles May Festival, Chester Racecourse
• Chester Festival of Ideas, University of Chester
• Deva Fest, Cholmondeley Estate
• Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre, Storyhouse
• The Brit Fest Cheshire, Ashley Hall
• Walton Hall and Gardens Daresbury Festival, in partnership with Walton Live

Business Events Venue of the Year

• Crewe Hall Hotel & Spa
• Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa, Chester
• Mere View Farm, The Farm Club Group

Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year

• Lady Heyes Holiday Park, Frodsham
• Overwater Marina, Audlem

Experience of the Year

• Dunham Massey
• Hover Force, Frodsham
• Walking Food Tours UK - The Taste of Chester Experience
• Wild Shore Delamere

Large Hotel of the Year

• Champneys Mottram Hall
• Cottons Hotel & Spa, Knutsford
• Crewe Hall Hotel & Spa
• Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa
• Nunsmere Hall Hotel, Tarporley
• Peckforton Castle
• The Queen at Chester

New Tourism Business of the Year

• 744 Experience, Tattenhall
• Axt Haus, Chester
• Rooftop Social Club, Chester
• The Hole In Wand Chester
• The Seven Chester

Pub of the Year

• Davenport Arms, Woodford
• The Fishpool Inn, Delamere
• The Fox and Hounds at Sproston
• The Pheasant Inn, Tattenhall

Regenerative Tourism Award

• BeWILDerwood Cheshire
• Chester Zoo
• Cholmondeley Castle Gardens

Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year

• ABC Boat Hire - Nantwich Canal Basin
• Cheshire Barns, Northwich
• Cheshire Boutique Barns, Nantwich
• Cheshire Boutique Bathhouse, Nantwich
• The Hollies Retreats, Tarporley

Small Serviced Accommodation of the Year

• Oddfellows Chester
• Stone Villa, Chester
• The Bear's Paw, Warmingham, Sandbach
• The Chester Townhouse
• The Parr's Bank Hotel, Warrington

Taste of Cheshire Award

• 1851 Restaurant, Peckforton Castle
• The Bear's Paw

Team of the Year

• Champneys Mottram Hall - Event Sales Office
• Chester Zoo - Heart of Africa Team
• Tatton Park Charitable Trust - Bookshop Volunteers
• The Bridge team, Prestbury
• The Hollies Farm Shop, Little Budworth
• The Ice Cream Farm, Tattenhall
• Visit Northwich
• Wild Shore Delamere - Crew

Unsung Hero Award

• Derek Jenkinson, Groundsman, Lady Heyes Holiday Park
• Eva Cooper, Assistant Financial Controller, Champneys Mottram Hall
• Jayne Chapman, Farm Manager, Tatton Park
• Rachel Watson, Sales & Marketing Executive, Combermere Abbey

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year

• BeWILDerwood Cheshire
• Chester Zoo
• Dunham Massey
• Storyhouse, Chester
• Walton Hall and Gardens

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year

• Escapism Chester
• The Hole In Wand Chester
• VR Warehouse Ltd, Runcorn
• Wild Shore Delamere

Wedding Venue of the Year

• Combermere Abbey Weddings
• Inglewood Manor, Ellesmere Port
• Larkspur Lodge, Knutsford
• Nunsmere Hall Hotel, Tarporley
• Old Palace Chester
• Peckforton Castle
• Walton Hall and Gardens