THE FINALISTS for the 2026 West Midlands Tourism Awards have been revealed.
A total of 40 of the region’s best visitor-facing businesses have are in the running in 14 different categories at this year’s awards.
Visitor economy organisations across the West Midlands – from Birmingham to Brierley Hill, Cosford to Coventry, Solihull to Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick to Wolverhampton – will discover their destiny at a special celebration of tourism next spring.
The finalists in two further award categories will be announced in December – the Tourism Event / Festival of the Year, and a new prize given to recognise an individual who has made an Outstanding Contribution to Tourism.
Now in their sixth year, the West Midlands Tourism Awards celebrate the region’s best accommodation; business, cultural and sporting event venues; food and drink settings; and visitor and heritage attractions.
They are organised and funded by the West Midlands Growth Company, which leads the region’s Destination Development Partnership.
Andrew Lovett, chair of the West Midlands Tourism and Hospitality Advisory Board, said: “The West Midlands Tourism Awards is one of my favourite dates in the diary – an opportunity each year to celebrate and honour the best people and businesses, which make visiting our great region so memorable.
“I congratulate each and every one of this year’s shortlisted venues – including those running our fantastic independent tourism businesses – and wish them every success on the night.”
Regional winners will automatically feed up to the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, which champions the best in England’s tourism industry each summer.
In 2025, following regional success, the West Midlands became home to the country’s Large Visitor Attraction of the Year – Black Country Living Museum, Dudley – and Large Hotel of the Year – Mallory Court Country House Hotel and Spa, Leamington Spa.
West Midlands Tourism Awards 2026 finalists
Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award
- Royal Air Force Museum Midlands (Cosford)
- The Box @ FarGo Village (Coventry)
- West Midlands Police Museum (Birmingham)
Business Events Venue of the Year
- Hyatt Regency Birmingham
- Malmaison Birmingham
- Warwick Conferences (Coventry)
Café/Coffee Shop of the Year
- Crumbles Coffee House and Deli (Wolverhampton)
- Ten Steps Coffee Lounge (Brierley Hill)
- The Two Mugs (Shirley)
Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year
- Acton Scott Escapes (Church Stretton)
- Riverside Cabins (Shrewsbury)
- The Barns at Blackwater Meadow (Ellesmere)
Regenerative Tourism Award
- Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre (Birmingham)
- Riverside Cabins (Shrewsbury)
- Stourbridge Glass Museum (Stourbridge)
Experience of the Year
- A World of Whisky (Grain & Glass) (Birmingham)
- Cotswolds in a Day Tour (Go Cotswolds) (Stratford-upon-Avon / Moreton in Marsh)
- RSC Tours (The Royal Shakespeare Company) (Stratford-upon-Avon)
- The Shakespeare Express (Vintage Trains Ltd) (Birmingham)
Restaurant of the Year
- Fazenda Birmingham
- Libertine Burger (Stratford-upon-Avon)
- Trentina (Birmingham)
- Zindiya (Birmingham)
Large Hotel of the Year
- Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre (Birmingham)
- Hotel du Vin Birmingham
- The Grand Hotel Birmingham
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
- Belgrade Theatre (Coventry)
- British Motor Museum (Gaydon)
- Compton Verney (Warwick)
- Royal Air Force Museum Midlands (Cosford)
New Tourism Business of the Year
- Indie Mart @ FarGo Village (Coventry)
- Pesto at The White Swan (Wythall)
- Putt Putt Social Coventry
- The Taste of Shrewsbury Experience (Walking Food Tours UK)
Pub of the Year
- The Bull’s Head – part of Thwaites (Earlswood, Solihull)
- The Howard Arms Ilmington
Self Catering Accommodation of the Year
- Ironbridge View Townhouse
- Westhope Country Retreats (Craven Arms)
Small Serviced Accommodation of the Year
- Burnside Hotel (Stratford-upon-Avon)
- Goldstone Hall Hotel & Gardens (Market Drayton)
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
- Shakespeare Distillery (Stratford-upon-Avon)
- St Mary’s Guildhall (Coventry)
- The Lord Leycester (Warwick)
