North West Leicestershire District Council has congratulated the tourism businesses putting themselves on the map - with Ashby ventures featuring highly.

Businesses from the region took prizes in 16 of the 29 award categories at the 2019 Leicestershire Tourism and Hospitality Awards.

Ashby Nub News featured The Bee Keeper which won the award for best Local Food and Drink Producer.

But other businesses were also recognised, including Ashby which was commended in the Best Market Town/Shopping Destination section.

The businesses represented a mixture of new and well established tourism businesses, all bringing high quality, unique and valued services and experiences to the tourism offer across North West Leicestershire.

Mark Fiander, Head of Economic Regeneration at North West Leicestershire District Council, said: "We would like to congratulate all the winners from our district. They fully deserve this recognition for the excellent work they are doing to provide a brilliant tourism offer in North West Leicestershire.

"I'd encourage anyone reading this to support our district's winners by sampling some of the experiences and products that our tourism businesses have to offer – you won't regret it!"

The awards event was held at Leicester's Athena venue last week and the judging process involved reviewing each finalist's submission, online research and mystery shopping from an independent panel. 

The National Forest landed one of the biggest awards being named 'Tourism Superstar' for their environmental efforts to preserve and improve our countryside.

Here are the details of those recognised from North West Leicestershire:

Seven award winners

New Tourism Business – National Forest E-Bike Holidays

Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award – Timber Festival

Large Hotel of the Year – Best Western Premier Yew Lodge Hotel

Local Food and Drink Producer – The Bee Farmer

Market Town/Shopping Destination – The Ferrers Centre

Outdoor Experience – Greenwood Days

Tourism Superstar – The National Forest

Five highly commended awards

New Tourism Business - Alpaca Park Farm

Outdoor Experience - Haunted Heritage Paranormal Events

Independent Retail Outlet – Ferrers Gallery

Leicestershire Breakfast – Alpaca Park Farm

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year - Conkers

Four commended awards

Best Market Town/Shopping Destination – Ashby de la Zouch

Afternoon Tea – Alpaca Park Farm

Best Team - Alpaca Park Farm

Best Free Event – May the Toys Be With You – Coalville Heritage Society