Over 95 entries from across Staffordshire have been whittled down to the next stage of the prestigious Enjoy Staffordshire Tourism & Good Food Awards 2023. 

The winners will be announced live at a glittering black-tie awards ceremony, hosted by BBC Midlands Today's Rebecca Wood, on Thursday 9 March at Doubletree by Hilton, Stoke-on-Trent. 

Many of the 'Gold' winners will progress to represent Staffordshire at the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence in June.

Philip White, Cabinet Member with responsibility for tourism at Staffordshire County Council said: "The Enjoy Staffordshire tourism awards remain an important competition for our tourism and hospitality sector, and each year we see more and more entries which is great.

"These awards are all about celebrating the contributions of everyone working in the sector to give visitors a great experience of our wonderful county.

"I'd like to congratulate all those businesses shortlisted for an award and for getting through the first stage. I wish them the best of luck in the Mystery Shopper visit which is the next stage of the competition."

The shortlisted businesses for the Enjoy Staffordshire Tourism & Good Food Awards 2022/23 are:

Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award:

• Alton Towers Resort
• Beechenhill Farm, Ilam, nr. Leek
• The Brampton Museum, Newcastle-under-Lyme
• Trentham Estate

B&B/Guest House of the Year:

• Black Lion Inn, Butterton, Leek
• Eagle House, Eccleshall
• The Little George, Eccleshall

Business Events Venue of the Year:

• Aspects at The National Memorial Arboretum
• Keele University Events & Conferencing
• The Moat House, Acton Trussell

Camping, Glamping & Holiday Park of the Year, sponsored by Hoseasons:

• ABC Leisure Group, Kings Orchard Marina, nr. Lichfield
• Lower Micklin Touring Park, nr. Denstone
• Quarry Walk Park, nr. Cheadle

Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year:

• Duck Goose, Leek
• The Granary at Weston Park, Weston-under-Lizard
• The Waterfront, Barton Marina, Barton-under-Needwood

Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism Award, sponsored by Staffordshire Environmental Quality Mark:

• Alton Towers Resort
• Black Lion Inn, Butterton, Leek
• Peak Wildlife Park, nr. Leek
• Ramblers Retreat Country Tearoom, Alton
• The Brampton Museum, Newcastle-under-Lyme

Experience of the Year:

• Be A Keeper Experience, Peak Wildlife Park, nr. Leek
• Breakfast with Monkeys V.I.P. Experience, Trentham Monkey Forest
• Go Ape Cannock Chase, Cannock
• Tailor Made Tour, National Memorial Arboretum
• Throw A Pot Experience, LoveClay Studio, Stoke-on-Trent

Food & Drink Retailer/Farm Shop of the Year:

• Denstone Hall Farm Shop, nr. Uttoxeter
• Gelato & Cakes, Cheadle
• The Milk Stop

Independent Restaurant of the Year:

• Hoar Cross Hall, nr Burton upon Trent
• Lunar, Barlaston, Stoke-on-Trent
• No.26 at Aston Marina, Stone
• The Dial Restaurant, Burton upon Trent

Large Hotel of the Year:

• CBeebies Land Hotel, Alton Towers Resort
• Hoar Cross Hall, nr. Burton upon Trent
• The Moat House, Acton Trussell
• The Tawny Hotel, Consall, nr. Leek

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year:

• Alton Towers Resort
• National Memorial Arboretum
• Peak Wildlife Park, nr. Leek
• The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent
• Trentham Estate

New Tourism Business Award:

• Duck Goose, Leek
• Jungle Street Kitchen, Lichfield
• Lumberjaxs Axe Throwing, Tamworth
• Lunar, Barlaston, Stoke-on-Trent

Pub of the Year:

• Black Lion Inn, Butterton, nr Leek
• The Duncombe Arms, Ellastone
• The Little George, Eccleshall
• The Tamworth Tap, Tamworth

Resilience & Innovation Award, sponsored by Service Science Ltd:

• Duck Goose, Leek
• Peak Wildlife Park, nr. Leek
• The Stones Market, Newcastle-under-Lyme

Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year, sponsored by cottages.com:

• Beechenhill Farm, Ilam, nr. Leek
• Lane Head Barns, Leek
• Mayfield Snuggery, Mayfield
• Weston Park Holiday Cottages, Weston-under-Lizard

Small Hotel of the Year:

• The Dog & Doublet Inn, Sandon, nr. Stafford
• Walnut House at The Duncombe Arms, Ellastone

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year:

• Dorothy Clive Garden, nr Newcastle-under-Lyme
• Foxfield Railway, Blythe Bridge
• Play@ Lower Drayton Farm, Penkridge
• The Brampton Museum, Newcastle-under-Lyme

Tea Room & Coffee Shop of the Year:

• Denstone Hall Farm Shop & Café, nr Uttoxeter
• Gelato & Cakes, Cheadle
• Pom's Kitchen & Deli, Lichfield
• Ramblers Retreat Country Tearoom, Alton

Unsung Hero, sponsored by We Are Staffordshire:

• Peak Wildlife Park, nr. Leek
• Philip Astley Projects CIC/Van Buren Organisation, Newcastle-under-Lyme
• Trentham Estate