Visit East of England

11/06/2025

🏆 Suffolk & Norfolk Tourism Awards – Two Weeks to Go! 🏆

If you're a tourism or hospitality business in Suffolk or Norfolk, there's still time to enter the 2025 Suffolk & Norfolk Tourism Awards – but don’t delay, entries close soon!

To help you put your best foot forward, we’ve compiled our Top 10 Tips to make your application shine, along with answers to frequently asked questions. Whether you're applying for the first time or looking to improve on last year, this guide is essential reading.

📘 Read the tips & FAQs here: https://www.visiteastofengland.com/tourism-awards/how-to-apply/faqs

💡 Stand out, get recognised, and celebrate the amazing visitor experiences our region has to offer.

Let’s show the rest of the country why there’s nowhere like Suffolk and Norfolk.

04/06/2025

Winners of the Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year at the Suffolk & Norfolk Tourism Awards, Hippersons Boatyard are heading to Brighton tonight to represent our region at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence – and we couldn’t be more proud! 🏆

We’re keeping everything crossed for them – what an incredible achievement already!

As we cheer them on, we’re also getting excited about who might follow in their footsteps next year... Could it be you?

Entries for the 2025/2026 Suffolk & Norfolk Tourism Awards are open until midnight on 25th June 2025.

Don’t miss your chance to shine on the national stage.

👉 Find out more and apply here: https://www.visiteastofengland.com/tourism-awards

13/05/2025

Suffolk & Norfolk Tourism Awards 2026 – Entries Now Open🏆

The Suffolk & Norfolk Tourism Awards return for 2026, celebrating the very best in tourism, hospitality and visitor experiences across our region. If you're a tourism or hospitality business operating in Norfolk or Suffolk, now is your chance to gain the recognition you deserve.

✨ What’s new for 2026? Three new categories to reflect the evolving landscape of our visitor economy:
• Arts & Culture Venue of the Year – celebrating creativity and cultural heritage
• Event/Festival of the Year – including a public vote to help boost visibility and community involvement
• Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award – recognising businesses that champion inclusivity in their offer

🌐 New for this year:
• A dedicated networking event for all finalists – providing the opportunity to connect and collaborate with peers ahead of the awards ceremony
• An application support webinar – designed to help you submit your strongest possible entry. Sign up to be notified when the webinar goes live: https://www.visiteastofengland.com/business-trade/business-enews

📥 Start your application now: https://www.visiteastofengland.com/tourism-awards

🗓️ Entries close at midnight on Wednesday 25 June 2025.

08/05/2025

Today we remember VE Day – Victory in Europe – marking the end of World War II in Europe in 1945. 🇬🇧

Did you know the East of England played a vital role during the war? Thousands of American airmen were based across Norfolk and Suffolk, leaving behind a remarkable legacy that shaped our region forever.

🛩️ Discover the story of the Friendly Invasion, explore heritage sites, and walk in the footsteps of the Greatest Generation.

👉 https://www.visiteastofengland.com/friendly-invasion

  During WW2, over 300,000 Americans arrived at air bases across East Anglia, known as ‘The Friendly Invasion.’ This marked the most significant

22/04/2025

🎬 Did you know blockbuster films and hit TV series were filmed right here in Norfolk & Suffolk!

Explore our top filming locations and walk in the footsteps of stars.

👉 https://www.visiteastofengland.com/post/picturesque-film-locations-in-the-east-of-england

The East of England has long attracted TV and film producers to use our stunning coast and countryside, unspoilt market towns and cities as backdrops.

19/04/2025

The great joy of Norfolk & Norwich Festival, is that there is something in it for everyone. As a multi artform Festival, it brings the best from all genres of performance and art; you could easily get your full annual culture fix by immersing yourself in its 17 day programme. It encourages audiences to try something new, and is a great way to step outside your comfort zone.

With a landscape as beautiful and diverse as ours, and with culture seeping out of every pore, its no surprise that art in Norfolk & Suffolk has

16/04/2025

With a landscape as beautiful and diverse as ours, and with culture seeping out of every pore, its no surprise that art in Norfolk & Suffolk has emerged out of venues, galleries and museums and into public spaces from town walls and bus stops to parks and beaches. 🎻🎨

With a landscape as beautiful and diverse as ours, and with culture seeping out of every pore, its no surprise that art in Norfolk & Suffolk has

01/04/2025

Huge congratulations to Hippersons Boatyard in Beccles, Suffolk who have been named a national finalist in the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2025, in the Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year category!

To give you a sense of how big this is:
▪️ There were 1,800 applications submitted across the 21 aligned local tourism awards
▪️ Just 360 businesses were then put forward for national judging

So, to be selected as one of just a handful of finalists is a huge achievement – and we couldn’t be prouder to see a business from our region recognised at this level.

A huge well done to the amazing team at Hippersons – a brilliant example of the quality and creativity we have here in the Norfolk & Suffolk.

And let’s also take a moment to acknowledge all our fantastic regional finalists who made it through to the national judging – your hard work, passion and dedication are what make our visitor economy so special.

Bring on the awards night in June – we’ll be cheering you on all the way!

12/03/2025

We are thrilled to see The Mirror's recent article by Chloe Rivers showcasing the winners of the 2025 Suffolk & Norfolk Tourism Awards. Congratulations to all the winners who continue to make Suffolk & Norfolk standout destinations.

Full article here: https://www.mirror.co.uk/travel/uk-ireland/insider-tips-hidden-gems-uks-34838928

Reporter Chloe Rivers shares her insider tips for exploring Suffolk and Norfolk, as the region's tourist awards have been announced — from the best camping spots to new attractions

07/03/2025

Last night, at the beautifully restored Norwich Castle, we crowned 11 outstanding businesses and individuals at the Suffolk & Norfolk Tourism Awards 2025! 🏆

These winners embody excellence, innovation, and dedication, making Suffolk and Norfolk top destinations. Now, they head to the national stage at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence in June!

Congratulations to our winners, runners-up, and finalists!

B&B and Guesthouse of the Year – Sponsored by Out of Office Events - Event Management & Live Entertainment Provider
Winner: BELLE VUE Guest House & Cottage Denver Village | Runner-up: Dairy Barns, Hickling

Camping, Glamping & Holiday Park of the Year – Sponsored by Ronaldo Ices
Winner: Hippersons Boatyard | Runner-up: The Grove Glamping

Experience of the Year – Sponsored by Ginger Pickle
Winner: Jimmy's Farm & Wildlife Park | Runner-up: Watatunga Wildlife Reserve

Hotel of the Year – Sponsored by Ensors Chartered Accountants
Winner: Titchwell Manor Hotel, Restaurant and Bar | Runner-up: Maids Head Hotel

New Tourism Business of the Year – Sponsored by Lovewell Blake
Winner: The Miller’s Shed | Runner-up: The Duke’s Lodge Earsham

Pub of the Year
Winner: The Pigs, Edgefield | Runner-up: The Duke's Head, Somerleyton

Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year – Sponsored by Hoseasons
Winner: North Cottage Cromer | Runner-up: The Suffolk Escape

Taste of England Award – Sponsored by Holiday Matters 2 Us
Winner: Yalm Foodhall | Runner-up: The Leaping Hare Restaurant at Wyken Vineyards

Visitor Attraction of the Year – Sponsored by Howes Percival
Winner: Holkham | Runner-up: Jimmy's Farm & Wildlife Park

Local Category Winners:

Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism – Sponsored by Swiss Camplings Laundry
Winner: Wild With Nature | Runner-up: Woodbridge Tide Mill Museum

Unsung Hero of the Year – Sponsored by Greater Anglia
Winner: Fran Hartshorne, The White Horse, Brancaster Staithe Horse, Brancaster | Runner-up: Ian Russell, Wroxham Barns

A huge thank you to our sponsors for making this celebration possible! 🙌

🔗 See the full list of winners: https://www.visiteastofengland.com/tourism-awards/2025-winners

07/03/2025

Huge congratulations to Fran Hartshorne from The White Horse, Brancaster Staithe, winner of the Greater Anglia Unsung Hero of the Year Award! 🙌🏆

The Suffolk & Norfolk Tourism Awards 2025 celebrate the individuals who go above and beyond to make a difference.

What the judges said:
Fran’s contributions extend far beyond the kitchen. Her commitment to sustainability, local engagement, and mentorship has a lasting impact on her team, her diners, and the wider culinary community. A quiet yet powerful leader, she is a true inspiration.

A big well done to our runner-up, Ian Russell MBE of Wroxham Barns, and finalist, Sam Vallerius from Marina Theatre - Lowestoft, for their incredible achievements!

06/03/2025

Huge congratulations to Yalm, winner of the Taste of England Award, sponsored by Holiday Matters 2 Us! 🏅

The Suffolk & Norfolk Tourism Awards 2025 judges were impressed by Yalm’s exceptional selection of independent kitchens, friendly service, and innovative food experience.

A big well done to The Leaping Hare Restaurant at Wyken Vineyards, our runner-up, and to Retreat East, another fantastic finalist.