Matlock Farm Park in double success at Peak District & Derbyshire Tourism Awards
Shining stars of the local tourism industry were celebrated at the Peak District & Derbyshire Tourism Awards last week, with Matlock Farm Park taking two gold awards on the night.
Designed to recognise and reward excellence and outstanding achievement in the Peak District and Derbyshire’s valuable tourism sector, the awards brought together 41 finalists in 15 categories for a glittering ceremony at Chesterfield’s four-star Casa Hotel.
Some of the area’s finest pubs, restaurants, attractions, experiences and accommodation providers were amongst those recognised at the awards evening, organised for the second year by Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire with support from the European Regional Development Fund.
In recognition of the exceptional challenges faced by tourism businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic, two new core categories were added for 2022: the ‘Unsung Hero Award’ and the ‘Resilience and Innovation Award’.
Two new local awards – ‘Team of the Year’ and ‘Tourism Young Achiever’ – were also added to recognise the thousands of jobs supported by tourism across the Peak District and Derbyshire.
Demonstrating the variety and quality of tourism businesses in the area, awards were hotly contested and nominees progressed through shortlisting, mystery shopping and a rigorous judging process by an independent panel of experts to arrive at last night’s awards ceremony.
Host Andy Miller compered the event as Gold, Silver and Bronze award winners were revealed. Gold winners were each presented with hand-crafted awards, designed and made by Derbyshire-based C W Sellors Fine Jewellery & Luxury Watches, whilst Silver and Bronze winners each received a certificate identifying them as one of the best tourism businesses in the area.
In a further boost, Gold winners in each of the 13 core categories will now progress onto the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2022, which represent the highest accolades in English tourism.
Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, said: “Following two years of unprecedented challenges, we’re delighted to recognise the inspirational businesses and passionate individuals who continually raise the bar of the Peak District and Derbyshire’s world-class visitor offer.
“Not only does our tourism industry offer incredible experiences for those who holiday here, it supports thousands of local jobs and makes a vital contribution to the local economy, helping to make the Peak District and Derbyshire such a great place to live, work and visit.
“This year’s awards are also a timely reminder of the determination, innovation and commitment of our local businesses who have worked incredibly hard to adapt and rebuild, and to continue to provide visitors with a first-class welcome.”
Peak District & Derbyshire Tourism Awards 2022: THE WINNERS
Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award
- GOLD: Croft Bungalow Accessible Holiday Let, Birchover
B&B and Guest House of the Year
- GOLD: Grendon Bed & Breakfast, Buxton
- Silver: Sheldon House, Monyash
Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year
- GOLD: Landal Sandybrook, Ashbourne
- Silver: Boutique Camping at Scaldersitch Farm, Sheen
- Bronze: Beech Croft Farm Caravan & Camping Park, Taddington
Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award
- GOLD: Pure Outdoor Ltd
- Silver: Landal Darwin Forest, Matlock
- Bronze: Fischer’s Baslow Hall
Experience of the Year
- GOLD: Pure Outdoor Ltd
- Silver: myGuidedWalks
- Bronze: Drive Dad’s Car, Great British Car Journey
Hotel of the Year
- GOLD: Rafters at Riverside House, Ashford-in-the-Water
- Silver: The Cavendish Hotel, Baslow
- Bronze: Casa Hotel, Chesterfield
New Tourism Business Award
- GOLD: Manor House Farm Cottages, Sheldon
- Silver: Great British Car Journey, Ambergate
- Bronze: Country Luxe Derbyshire
Pub of the Year
- GOLD: The Devonshire Arms, Pilsley
- Silver: The Prince of Wales, Baslow
- Bronze: The Yorkshire Bridge Inn, Bamford
Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year
- GOLD: Stainsborough Hall, near Wirksworth
- Silver: Manor House Farm Cottages, Sheldon
- Bronze: Oaker Farm Holidays, Hope
Taste of the Peak District & Derbyshire Award
- GOLD: Fischer’s Baslow Hall
- Silver: The Cavendish Hotel, Baslow
- Silver: The George, Alstonefield
Visitor Attraction of the Year
- GOLD: Matlock Farm Park, Matlock
- Silver: Treak Cliff Cavern, Castleton
- Bronze: Bluebell Dairy Ltd, Spondon
Resilience & Innovation Award
- GOLD: Matlock Farm Park, Matlock
- Silver: White Peak Distillery, Ambergate
- Bronze: Treak Cliff Cavern, Castleton
Tourism Young Achiever Award
- GOLD: Luke Henshaw, Great British Car Journey
- Silver: George Finlay, Matlock Farm Park
- Bronze: Jack Boam, Tagg Lane Dairy
Team of the Year Award
- GOLD: The Welcome Team Ltd
- Silver: Pinelodge Holidays Ltd
- Bronze: Rafters at Riverside House
Unsung Hero Award
- GOLD: Rob Hattersley, Longbow Bars & Restaurants
- Silver: John Whelan, Rafters at Riverside House
Matlock Farm Park, Casa Hotel and Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.
