Celebrating excellence across every part of our visitor economy, the Suffolk and Norfolk Tourism Awards 2026 culminated on Thursday, March 12 with a prize-giving evening at the Diss Corn Hall.

The awards recognise the remarkable people and businesses behind our region's tourism success and this year had a broader range of categories, better reflecting the depth and diversity of our visitor offer – from glamping and guesthouses to theatres, festivals and sustainable tourism leaders.

These awards align with VisitEngland's national programme, meaning all our winners and runners-up, except in the two regional categories, go forward to the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.

“The event was a fantastic celebration of tourism in Norfolk and Suffolk, with our winners setting an exceptionally high bar for the sector,” said Visit East of England's Holly Oakland, who organised the tourism awards. “Our winners are the epitome of how innovative, progressive, creative and resilient the tourism sector here in East Anglia is.”

Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award – sponsored by Greater Anglia
Winner: Norwich Theatre
Runner up: The Brudenell Hotel (The Hotel Folk)

B&B and Guest House of the Year
Winner: The Great House Restaurant & Hotel, Lavenham
Runner up: Holly Lodge Boutique Bed & Breakfast

Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year
Winner: Forest Park Outstanding Natural Holidays
Runner up: Kelling Heath Holiday Park

Experience of the Year
Winner: Stubbs Farm Alpacas
Runner up: WhataHoot Distillery

Hotel of the Year – sponsored by Ensors, part of Azets
Winner: Maids Head Hotel
Runner up: The Crown and Castle, Orford

New Tourism Business of the Year – sponsored by Stena Line
Winner: The Four Bells Glamping
Runner up: The Golden Lion

Pub of the Year – sponsored by Lovewell Blake
Winner: The Pigs
Runner up: The Brisley Bell

Regenerative Tourism Award of the Year – sponsored by Swiss Camplings
Winner: Waxham Sands Holiday Park
Runner up: Gladwins Farm – Self Catering Holiday Cottages

Self-catering Accommodation of the Year – sponsored by Hoseasons
Winner: The Farmstead
Runner up: North Cottage Cromer

Taste of England Award
Winner: Maids Head Hotel – WinePress Restaurant
Runner up: Sundown at The Grove Cromer

Unsung Hero Award
Winner: Mandy Ames – Maids Head Hotel
Runner up: Malcolm Ward – Forest Park

Visitor Attraction of the Year – sponsored by Howes Percival
Winner: Jimmy's Farm & Wildlife Park
Runner up: RSPB Minsmere

Regional Categories

Culture and Arts Venue of the Year
Winner: Sainsbury Centre
Runner up: Norwich Theatre

Tourism Event/Festival of the Year – sponsored by Norwich Print Solutions
Winner: Norwich Science Festival
Runner up: First Light Festival

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The visitor economy in Suffolk and Norfolk was worth £5.9bn in 2024 and employed 120,000 people – an increase of 7% on 2023 and both new record highs.

There were 82 million day trips in 2024 and 5 million staying trips with 19 million staying nights.

The visitor economy accounts for 21% of all employment in Norfolk and 15% of all employment in Suffolk.

Media enquiries: press@visiteastofengland.com

About Visit East of England
Visit East of England operates the VisitEngland-accredited Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) for Suffolk and Norfolk. It supports and promotes the visitor economy of the region which is worth £5.9 billion and employs more than 120,000 people. Visit East of England also operates the Visit Suffolk and Visit Norfolk consumer websites and social media channels.