Chester Zoo has become one 19 winners of this year’s Visit England Awards for Excellence.

The Cheshire attraction beat Bletchley Park and Pensthorpe Natural Park to earn the accolade of Large Visitor Attraction of the Year award.

The awards have been established for 30 years and highlight innovation, quality and best practice across the industry, acknowledging businesses and individuals who illustrate their worth towards England’s tourism background.

VisitEngland Advisory Board Chair Nick de Bois CBE said: “It is wonderful to see the Awards event back in-person, giving us the opportunity to come together, celebrate and congratulate the best-of-the-best across England’s world-class tourism industry.

“From an accessible and inclusive sailing school to a family-run rural glamping site and an immersive living museum, these awards highlight the outstanding quality, the innovation and the customer service excellence across our industry. All these businesses are winners in every sense.

“Millions of jobs and local economies depend on tourism and this year’s awards also highlight the dedication of tourism businesses as they rebuild, championing best practice and providing visitors with first-class experiences.”

The event was hosted by broadcaster and author Clare Balding and took place at the Library of Birmingham this past 8 June.