Burnley strikes gold at the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026

A glittering ceremony took place yesterday at the Winter Gardens Conference Centre in Blackpool, hosted by BBC Radio Lancashire’s Mike Stevens.

Animal charity, Horses and Ponies Protection Association in Briercliffe, had an incredible run, taking home three gongs. The charity scooped both Small Visitor Attraction of the Year and Experience of the Year, while Andy Black, Manager of The Café at HAPPA, won the Unsung Hero Award.

The Royal Dyche in Yorkshire Street and Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort also secured an accolade each.

Here’s what organisations in the area won:

HAPPA

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year

Experience of the Year

Andy Black – Unsung Hero Award

Crow Wood

Large Hotel of the Year

Royal Dyche

Pub of the Year

Thornton Hall Country Park

Family-owned/run Business

Eight at Gazegill by Doug Crampton, Rimington

Regenerative Tourism Award

Taste of Lancashire Award

Laythams Holiday Lets Retreat, Slaidburn

Self-catering Accommodation

Stanley House Hotel & Spa, Mellor

Hotel Wedding Venue of the Year

Vikki Harris, Marketing & Partnerships Director of Marketing Lancashire, opened the ceremony.

Vikki said: "These awards are the culmination of a rigorous process of applications, scoring, and mystery shopping, before each finalist is put before our panels of expert, impartial judges. Every single one of you who has made it to this point should be so proud of your business.

She added: "Our industry has a transformational effect on people’s lives, and tourism supports so many other sectors and our thriving communities. People come here for our events, attractions, world-class food, beaches, or heritage, and all of that underpins why Lancashire is such an incredible place to live."