At a glittering ceremony in Leicester’s Athena on Wednesday 4 December, the winners of the 2024 Tourism and Hospitality Awards were announced.

Now in their 14th year, the awards, organised by Leicestershire Promotions, are the regional heat of the national Visit England Awards for Excellence. 12 of the winners will go forward as Leicestershire’s nominations for the national awards.

27 awards were given on the night celebrating the very best bars, restaurants, hotels, B&Bs and attractions in the region, with some new categories for the year including Best Dog-Friendly Venue and Best Employer for Career Starters, judged by Tourism students from Leicester College.

All of the winners and commended venues underwent a rigorous assessment process alongside invaluable feedback to help them develop their businesses further.

The night also included a special award for Outstanding Contribution to Tourism, which was given to Philippa Langley, the driving force behind the discovery of the mortal remains of King Richard III under a car park in Leicester city centre.

And the winners are...

The full list of winners of the 2024 Leicestershire Promotions Tourism and Hospitality Awards are

Outstanding Contribution to Tourism

Philippa Langley MBE

Bed & Breakfast and Guest House  

Winner: Holywell House, Loughborough

Small Hotel

Winner: Winstanley House

Highly Commended: St Martins Lodge

Large Hotel  

Winner: Novotel Hotel Leicester

Highly Commended: Leonardo Hotel & Conference Venue Hinckley Island

Commended: Voco Leicester

Camping, Glamping & Holiday Park  

Winner: Grange Caravan & Camping

Highly Commended: Brook Meadow

Commended: Wigwam Holidays Charnwood Forest

Self-Catering Accommodation

Winner: Hall Farm Dadlington

Highly Commended: North Kilworth Narrowboat Hire Ltd

Commended: Brook Meadow

Business Event Venue

Winner: Leonardo Hotel & Conference Venue Hinckley Island

Highly Commended: National Space Centre

Commended: St Martins House Conference Centre

Small Visitor Attraction

Winner: King Richard III Visitor Centre

Highly Commended: Stoneywell

Commended: Triumph Factory Visitor Experience

Large Attraction

Winner: National Space Centre

Highly Commended: Twycross Zoo

Commended: Great Central Railway

Best Dog-Friendly Venue

Winner: The Organ Grinder, Loughborough

Highly Commended: Rothley Wine Estate

Experience of the Year

Winner: The Spa at Breedon Priory

Highly Commended: Hidden Food Tours, Melton Mowbray

Highly Commended: Everards of Leicester, Brewery Tour

Pub of the Year

Winner: The Griffin Inn, Swithland

Highly Commended: Tap & Run

Commended: Rutland and Derby

Commended: Stamford Arms

Best Beer Garden

Winner: Stamford Arms

Special Occasion Dining

Winner: The Blacksmiths Arms, Barrow Upon Soar

Highly Commended: Restaurant 263

Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism

Winner: Café No 7

Highly Commended: Novotel Hotel Leicester

Best Free Event

Winner: 1940s Melton Mowbray

Highly Commended: Cosby Yarn Bomb

Highly Commended: Groby Rocks

Best Event/Festival – paid entry

Winner: The Victory Show

Commended: Beaumanor Hall Christmas Craft Fair

Best Live Music Venue

Winner: Bar Dos Hermanos

Best Team

Winner: 1620s House & Garden, Donington le Heath

Winner: Charnwood Borough Council’s Markets and Fairs / Event Planning Team

Highly Commended: National Space Centre

Highly Commended: The Courtyard, Ashby de la Zouch

Commended: Holiday Inn Leicester

Commended: Leonardo Hotel & Conference Venue Hinckley Island

Rising Star

Winner: Organ Grinder - Isabelle Brown

New Tourism Business

Winner: Hidden Food Tours, Melton Mowbray

Highly Commended: History Fair Tours

Best Breakfast

Winner: Bar Dos Hermanos

Best Sunday Lunch

Winner: 1573 Bar & Grill

Highly Commended: Winstanley House

Commended: Great Central Railway

Best Tearoom/Coffee Shop

Winner: The Courtyard, Ashby de la Zouch

Highly Commended: Wild Lotus Hinckley

Best Casual Dining

Winner: 1573 Bar & Grill

Best Employer for Career Starters (Run by Tourism Learners at Leicester College)

Winner: National Space Centre

Highly Commended: The Copt Oak, Markfield

Best Day Out in Leicestershire, sponsored by St Martins Lodge

Winner: Cosby Yarn Bomb