Some of Leicester and Leicestershire’s national award winners in 2023 included:

VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2023:

• National Forest EBike holidays - Silver for Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award
• Brook Meadow – Silver for Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year
• Imago Venues – Silver for Business Events Venue of the Year

Other awards included:

• Brockleby’s Pies - Supreme Champion at the British Pie Awards for its Moo & Blue Pie
• Samworth Brothers – won both the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie, and Cold Eating Savoury Pie awards
• Boutique Narrowboats – Silver at the British Travel Awards for Best Company for UK Short Breaks
• Mem-Saab - Leicester Restaurant of the Year at the English Curry Awards
• The Bee Farmer - honey was named Champion Product in the Slow Food England Awards
• Punks: Rage and Revolution exhibition at Leicester Museum and Art Gallery - English Project of the Year in the 2023 National Lottery Awards
• Twycross Zoo - Silver Animal Behaviour and Welfare award and Bronze award in recognition of bonobo care from British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA)
• Round Corner Brewing in Melton Mowbray - four country winner medals at the 2023 World Beer Awards and eight awards in the 2023 International Beer Challenge
• Leicester and Leicestershire were recognised as a great location for group visits when they were shortlisted as finalists in the Best UK Destination category at the 2023 Group Leisure and Travel Awards

Visitors to Leicester and Leicestershire can experience all of these award-winning venues for themselves including pie making experiences at Brockleby’s Pies, bee keeping courses with The Bee Farmer and brewery tours at Round Corner Brewing. More details on these experiences are available at www.visitleicester.info or for group travel, visit www.visitleicester.info/visitor-information/group-travel

Sue Jerham, Managing Director at Ebike Holidays, said: “We're thrilled that VisitEngland awarded our luxury, sustainable walking and EBike holidays such a prestigious accolade. We’re based in the National Forest, which is at the forefront of sustainable tourism. It was, therefore, natural for us to put responsible tourism at the heart of our business from the very start.

“Cycling and walking are perfect ways to experience everything that Leicestershire and The National Forest offer, away from the crowds. Guests always leave inspired by the variety of countryside and just how much there is to see and do in the region.”

Mike Denby from Visit Leicester said: “We are thrilled that our tourism partners in Leicester and Leicestershire have received so many awards in 2023. The destination prides itself on offering a unique day out for visitors with a range of diverse activities, experiences and places to relax, eat and drink. We are so proud of our award winners for helping to cement the city and county as one of England’s most appealing destinations for visitors.”

Leicester and Leicestershire’s major tourism campaigns include:

Uncover the Story - promoting the city and county as a fascinating UK destination for national and international visitors. Uncover the Story uses a range of intriguing stories to promote the city and county as a compelling and distinctive destination to visitors. For more details on the campaign and the unique stories from the Leicester and Leicestershire tourism industry, visit www.visitleicester.info/uncoverthestory.

Fitcation - promoting the city and county as a fantastic short stay destination for active breaks to a national and international audience. Fitcation features three themes:

• Adrenaline Escapes
• Sporting Escapes
• Family Fun Escapes

Taste The Place - promoting the unique food and drink offering for Leicester and Leicestershire, focused on traditional, vegan, sustainable and world food and drink made and consumed here, food and drink outlets, and food and drink making experiences. The campaign includes four themes:

• A Taste of England
• The World on a Plate
• Food for Thought
• The Home of Veganism