Visit Herefordshire Tourism Awards Winners 2024
Visit Herefordshire Tourism Awards 2024 – Winners
Tourism Stars Shine at Inaugural Visit Herefordshire Awards
On 26 February 2025, the spotlight was on Herefordshire’s tourism champions as writer and broadcaster Jules Hudson announced the winners of the first-ever Visit Herefordshire Tourism Awards. Held at the stunning Lyde Court near Hereford, the gala dinner welcomed over 200 local business leaders, industry professionals, and dignitaries for a night of celebration and recognition. More than 60 finalists, shortlisted by expert judges in 2024, competed across 14 categories. Thirteen outstanding winners were honoured for their exceptional service to the tourism sector. The evening’s top accolade, Visit Herefordshire’s Business of the Year, was awarded to The Riverside at Aymestrey, who also triumphed in both the Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism and Taste of Herefordshire categories. All category winners now advance to the national stage, automatically qualifying for the prestigious VisitEngland Awards for Excellence later this year.
Host Jules Hudson, known for BBC’s Escape to the Country and Channel 5’s This Week on the Farm, praised the calibre of the finalists: “It was a privilege to be involved. The dedication and quality across Herefordshire’s tourism sector is outstanding. Visitors are in safe hands!”
Diane Mansell, CEO of Herefordshire County BID/Visit Herefordshire, added: “The creativity and innovation on display was inspiring. Every finalist offers something truly special. We’re proud to celebrate their achievements and wish them success at the national awards.”
The Visit Herefordshire Tourism Awards mark a new chapter in recognising and promoting excellence across the County’s visitor economy raising the profile of local businesses and inspiring continued growth and innovation.
VisitEngland Awards for Excellence Winners
We are delighted to share that, on Tuesday 1 April 2025, VisitEngland announced the finalists of the 2025 VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, and three Herefordshire businesses were amongst them. The finalists from the Visit Herefordshire Tourism Awards 2024 competition, and now though to the national awards finals, are as follows:
- Self Catering Accommodation of the Year – Trevase Cottages
- Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award – The Courtyard Trust Limited
- Taste of England Award – The Riverside at Aymestrey
The details of the announcement are published on the news and media pages of our industry website.
Click below to read and download the full press release
Walking With The Wounded, the official Event Charity – The proceeds of the raffle held at the gala dinner came to £1,360 has been donated to Walking With The Wounded, a charity which supports military veterans, and the official charity of the Visit Herefordshire Tourism Awards.
1. Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award
- The Courtyard
2. B&B and Guest House of the Year
- The Temple Bar Inn
3. Business Events Venue of the Year
- The Left Bank Village
4. Visitor Attraction of the Year
- Small Breeds Farm
5. Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism Award
- The Riverside at Aymestrey
6. Experience of the Year
- Oldfield Forge
7. International Tourism Award
- Hereford Cathedral
8. Hotel of the Year
- Old Downton Lodge
9. New Tourism Business of the Year
- Newton Court
10. Pub of the Year
- The New Inn
11. Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year
- Rookery Woods
12. Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year
- Trevase Cottages
13. Taste of England
- The Riverside at Aymestrey
14. Unsung Hero of the Year
- Simon Lockett – Golden Valley Pilgrim Way
15. Visit Herefordshire’s Business of the Year
- The Riverside at Aymestrey
16. Judges Commendation – Restoration of the Year
- Rowden Mill Station
17. Judges Commendation – Taking Herefordshire to the World
- The Beefy Boys
18. Judges Commendation – Off the Grid Pioneer
- The Fold
19. Judges Commendation – Innovative Accessibility
- One Acre Wood
20. Judges Commendation – Accessibility Community Champion
- Ali Allen, The Walking Hub
21. Judges Commendation – Conversation Community Champion
- Rowan Griffiths, Hergest Croft Gardens
