Celebrity farmers to host Visit Cheshire Tourism awards

Celebrity couple and Cheshire farmers Kelvin and Liz Fletcher today said it was a “huge honour” to be unveiled as the hosts of the Visit Cheshire Tourism Awards ceremony in March.

Kelvin, who famously played farmer Andy Sugden on Emmerdale, lives with Liz and his four young children on a 120-acre farm in the picturesque village of Wincle, in the Peak District near Macclesfield. The couple star in ITV’s Fletcher’s Family Farm, soon to return for a fourth series, which documents the highs and lows of running their farm.

But today, Kelvin, who won a new set of fans when he won Strictly with dance partner Oti Mabuse in 2019, said he was looking forward to his new role alongside Liz as hosts of the Visit Cheshire Tourism Awards 2026.

From iconic attractions and boutique stays to unforgettable events and outstanding hospitality, the awards celebrate the brilliant businesses and individuals behind the region’s £3.9 billion visitor economy. Organised by Marketing Cheshire, the glittering ceremony will be held on Thursday 5 March 2026, at Walton Hall and Gardens in Warrington.

Kelvin said:

“Liz and I proudly call Cheshire our home, so this is a huge honour. As well as its beautiful surroundings, we know tourism plays a massive part in the region’s prosperity and we can’t wait to celebrate the success stories behind it.”

Liz also hosts her own ITV show, Fletchers’ Country Workshop, showcasing her flair for craft, and said she was delighted to be teaming up with Kelvin at the awards ceremony:

“We both love Cheshire and it’s a wonderful place to live, work and bring up our family and we are so excited to be able to celebrate all our brilliant tourism businesses.”

The couple’s farm also hosts events including a festive attraction complete with Santa’s Grotto last month. Guests can also rent a cottage on the farm.

Winners of the Cheshire Awards will be entered into the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, where they’ll represent Cheshire and Warrington and compete against the country’s best tourism businesses.

Jamie Christon, Chair of Marketing Cheshire, said:

“The region’s world-class tourism sector supports 38,000 jobs and attracts more than 56 million visits a year. The standard of entries for this year’s awards has been phenomenal, we are delighted that Liz and Kelvin will be joining us to recognise and celebrate the brilliant people powering the Cheshire and Warrington visitor economy.”

Confirmed finalists 

Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award

• Circus Starr, Congleton

• The Ice Cream Farm, Tattenhall

• VR Warehouse Ltd, Runcorn

Best Event or Festival

• Boodles May Festival, Chester Racecourse

• Chester Festival of Ideas, University of Chester

• Deva Fest, Cholmondeley Estate

• Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre, Storyhouse

• The Brit Fest Cheshire, Ashley Hall

• Walton Hall and Gardens Daresbury Festival, in partnership with Walton Live

Business Events Venue of the Year

• Crewe Hall Hotel & Spa

• Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa, Chester

• Mere View Farm, The Farm Club Group

Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year

• Lady Heyes Holiday Park, Frodsham

• Overwater Marina, Audlem

Experience of the Year

• Dunham Massey

• Hover Force, Frodsham

• Walking Food Tours UK - The Taste of Chester Experience

• Wild Shore Delamere

Large Hotel of the Year

• Champneys Mottram Hall

• Cottons Hotel & Spa, Knutsford

• Crewe Hall Hotel & Spa

• Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa

• Nunsmere Hall Hotel, Tarporley

• Peckforton Castle

• The Queen at Chester

New Tourism Business of the Year

• 744 Experience, Chester

• Axt Haus, Chester

• Rooftop Social Club, Chester

• The Hole In Wand Chester

• The Seven Chester

Pub of the Year

• Davenport Arms, Woodford

• The Fishpool Inn, Delamere

• The Fox and Hounds at Sproston

• The Pheasant Inn, Tattenhall

Regenerative Tourism Award

• BeWILDerwood Cheshire

• Chester Zoo

• Cholmondeley Castle Gardens

Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year

• ABC Boat Hire - Nantwich Canal Basin

• Cheshire Barns, Northwich

• Cheshire Boutique Barns, Nantwich

• Cheshire Boutique Bathhouse, Nantwich

• The Hollies Retreats, Tarporley

Small Serviced Accommodation of the Year

• Oddfellows Chester

• Stone Villa, Chester

• The Bear's Paw, Warmingham, Sandbach

• The Chester Townhouse

• The Parr's Bank Hotel, Warrington

Taste of Cheshire Award

• 1851 Restaurant, Peckforton Castle

• The Bear's Paw

Team of the Year

• Champneys Mottram Hall - Event Sales Office

• Chester Zoo - Heart of Africa Team

• Tatton Park Charitable Trust - Bookshop Volunteers

• The Bridge team, Prestbury

• The Hollies Farm Shop, Little Budworth

• The Ice Cream Farm, Tattenhall

• Visit Northwich

• Wild Shore Delamere – Crew

Unsung Hero Award

• Derek Jenkinson, Groundsman, Lady Heyes Holiday Park

• Eva Cooper, Assistant Financial Controller, Champneys Mottram Hall

• Jayne Chapman, Farm Manager, Tatton Park

• Rachel Watson, Sales & Marketing Executive, Combermere Abbey

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year

• BeWILDerwood Cheshire

• Chester Zoo

• Dunham Massey

• Storyhouse, Chester

• Walton Hall and Gardens

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year

• Escapism Chester

• The Hole In Wand Chester

• VR Warehouse Ltd, Runcorn

• Wild Shore Delamere

Wedding Venue of the Year

• Combermere Abbey Weddings

• Inglewood Manor, Ellesmere Port

• Larkspur Lodge, Knutsford

• Nunsmere Hall Hotel, Tarporley

• Old Palace Chester

• Peckforton Castle

• Walton Hall and Gardens

Pictured - Liz and Kelvin