It is time to see how Macclesfield have done in the nominations for the Marketing Cheshire Tourism Awards 2024/2025.

The prestigious awards celebrate the people and businesses behind Cheshire and Warrington’s tourism sector which contributes £3.41bn to the region’s economy and attracts more than 50 million visitors every year.

And this year’s Macclesfield nominees range from Forest Distillery, to Mottram Hall.

Across the borough, eye-catching nominations include the new Holmes Chapel tour inspired by Harry Styles and the Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon Experience at Jodrell Bank, near Macclesfield.

Organisers Marketing Cheshire said judges had to sift through a record number of entries for the awards which will see the winners crowned at a glittering ceremony at Chester Cathedral on Thursday, March 6, 2025 – the second year in a row the spectacular venue is hosting the esteemed event.

The finalists hailing from across Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, and Warrington.

To receive the most nominations this year, is the new Harry Styles-inspired Harry’s Home Village Tour, found just a short drive from Macclesfield.

The guided tour through Holmes Chapel, which allows people to learn about the history of the village where the global pop star grew up including a stop at Harry’s former workplace Mandeville’s bakery and Twemlow Viaduct, where the singer is said to have had his first kiss, is a finalist in THREE categories – namely: Best Tourism Marketing Project of the Year, Experience of the Year and New Tourism Business of the Year.

The Pink Floyd listening experience, at the new First Light Pavilion, Jodrell Bank, has been nominated for an award. (Image – Macclesfield Nub News)

One of the most popular categories for entries was the newly added Best Event or Festival Award, which has been added following feedback from businesses and the desire for Marketing Cheshire to shine a light on this growing sector in the region’s visitor economy.

Finalists in this category were named as: BeWILDerwood presents Christmas (based in Malpas); Deva Fest (held at Cholmondeley Castle); Fireworks and Fun, The Ice Cream Farm, Tattenhall; Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre, Chester and Steam at the Lift, Anderton Boat Lift and Visitor Centre, Anderton.

Chester Zoo is also hoping to get its claws on a trophy after also finding itself as a finalist in three categories.

It is hoping love is in the air in the Wedding Venue of the Year category alongside Walton Hall and Gardens in Warrington; Carden Park Hotel & Spa on the outskirts of Chester; Crewe Hall Hotel & Spa, Delamere Manor, Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa and Peckforton Castle.

Forest Distillery, of Macclesfield’s Cat & Fiddle Road, has recieved two nominations. (Image – Macclesfield Nub News)

Thanks to its new Snow Leopard enclosure, Chester Zoo is also finalist in the Team of the Year category which celebrates the brilliant work that goes on behind the scenes. Other finalists going for glory in this category are Champneys Mottram Hall; The Chester Grosvenor; Canal & River Trust (North West Destination & Attraction Team); and The Bridge, Prestbury.

And the zoo is also a finalist in the Visitor Attraction of the Year category alongside BeWILDerwood Cheshire; Escapism Chester; Forest Distillery in Macclesfield; Norton Priory Museum and Gardens, Tatton Park; The Ice Cream Farm, Tattenhall; Wild Shore Delamere.

But it is not just local glory that a potential Macclesfield winner could receive.

Qualifying winners in the final will be automatically entered into the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence to compete against the best in the country. 

The Bridge is found at The Village, Prestbury, Macclesfield SK10 4DQ. (Image – Google)

Trevor Brocklebank, Chair of Marketing Cheshire said: “Every year the quality and breadth of entries from across all parts of the region is breathtaking. It’s also great to see the new Best Event or Festival category attracting a host of entries. Our region welcomes over 36.3 million visitors each year and every one of our finalists play a huge part in the continued success of Cheshire and Warrington’s world-renowned tourism gems.”

 Last year’s event which was hosted by actress Lucy-Jo Hudson. Credit: Marketing Cheshire

Best Event or Festival

BeWILDerwood (Cheshire) presents Christmas

Deva Fest, Cholmondeley Castle

Fireworks and Fun, The Ice Cream Farm, Tattenhall

Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre, Chester

Steam at the Lift, Anderton Boat Lift & Visitor Centre

Best Tourism Marketing Project of the Year

Harry’s Home Village Tour, Holmes Chapel

Twiggle Tots, BeWILDerwood Cheshire

Business Events Venue of the Year

Carden Park Hotel, near Chester

Champneys Mottram Hall, Macclesfield

Crewe Hall Hotel & Spa

Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa, Pulford

Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement, Macclesfield

Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year

Lady Heyes Holiday Park, Frodsham

Manor Wood, Chester

Overwater Marina & Holiday Park, Audlem

Pitch and Canvas, Chester

Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award

Lyme, National Trust

Moxy Chester

Experience of the Year

Distillery Tour, Forest Distillery, Macclesfield

Harry’s Home Village Tour, Holmes Chapel

Pink Floyd’s 50th Anniversary of ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’ Immersive Planetarium Experience, Jodrell Bank, Macclesfield

Wake & Shake, The Farm Club Group, Mere View Estate

Large Hotel of the Year

Champneys Mottram Hall, Macclesfield

Cottons Hotel & Spa, Knutsford

Doubletree by Hilton Hotel & Spa Chester

Rookery Hall Hotel & Spa, Nantwich

The Queen at Chester Hotel

The logo for the awards. (Image – Marketing Cheshire)

New Tourism Business of the Year

Chester on a Plate Tours

Harry’s Home Village Tour, Holmes Chapel

Dead Good Ghost Tour, Chester

Pub of the Year

Cholmondeley Arms, Cholmondeley

Ring O’ Bells, Christleton

The Bear’s Paw, Warmingham, Sandbach

The Fishpool Inn, Delamere

The Pied Bull, Chester

The Vicarage, Cheshire (based at Cranage)

Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year

Black Prince Holidays, Northwich

Cheshire Boutique Stays, Nantwich

Nantwich Canal Centre

The Hide, Pickmere

Small Serviced Accommodation of the Year

Cheshire Boutique Stays, Nantwich

The Bear’s Paw, Warmingham, Sandbach

The Chester Townhouse

The Hive at 52, Weaverham

The Pheasant Inn, Tattenhall

Taste Cheshire Award

Artezzan Restaurant & Bar, Chester

The Pheasant Inn, Tattenhall

The Sandbar Seafood Shack, Chester

Team of the Year

Events Sales Office, Champneys Mottram Hall, Macclesfield

Front of House, The Chester Grosvenor

Chester Cathedral Music Department, Chester Cathedral

North West Destination & Attraction Team, Canal & River Trust

Project Team – Snow Leopards, Chester Zoo

The Bridge, Prestbury

Unsung Hero Award

Jayne Over, The Chester Grosvenor

Toby Garrick, Pitch & Canvas, Chester

Visitor Attraction of the Year

BeWILDerwood Cheshire

Chester Zoo

Escapism Chester

Forest Distillery, Macclesfield

Norton Priory Museum and Gardens

Tatton Park

The Ice Cream Farm, Tattenhall

Wild Shore Delamere

Wedding Venue of the Year

Carden Park Hotel & Spa, near Chester

Chester Zoo

Crewe Hall Hotel & Spa

Delamere Manor

Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa

Peckforton Castle

Walton Hall and Gardens, Warrington

Macclesfield: Find more about the awards on THIS LINK.