Ask an incoming tourist what the country’s big visitor draws are, and they may well say Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Stonehenge, Thorpe Park or even Legoland
The best attractions in England this year have been crowned, and the winners may come as something of a surprise.
Ask an incoming tourist what the country’s big visitor draws are, and they may well say Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Stonehenge or even Legoland.
It’s unlikely that they’ll mention the winner of Visit England’s Large Visitor Attraction of the Year, which went to Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park in Suffolk.
The victory comes off the back of a win at the Visitor Attraction of the Year at the 2026 Suffolk and Norfolk Tourism Awards, so Jimmy’s is clearly having a good year.
The wildlife park is owned by TV star and conservationist Jimmy Doherty, who has presented programmes on both Channel 4 and the BBC. He is best known for the show Jimmy’s Farm, which details the operation of the Essex Pig Company that he and his wife Michaela Furney own in Suffolk.
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The park aims to be a centre of excellence for British rare breeds while also housing animals like camels, primates, tapirs and crocodiles. Lions and a tiger were added as recently as October 2025.
The real draw that put the place on the map was the acquisition of polar bears. Jimmy’s Farm built Europe’s largest facility for the species, called “the Lost Lands of the Tundra,” housing rescue polar bears alongside brown bears, Arctic foxes, grey wolves, reindeer and red-breasted geese. The bears are even visible from the train window on the London–Ipswich line.
Getting from London to Ipswich by train takes about an hour from Liverpool Street, but the lack of a bus from Ipswich station to the park is an issue some have confronted. Most visitors end up getting a taxi, which costs around £13 each way. The zoo itself is only part of the site; there are also shops and a restaurant in the farm area, and you can leave and re-enter the zoo with your receipt.
Jimmy’s Farm has 1,800 five star reviews on Tripadvisor, out of 2,400 in total.
“What a great day out, a well thought out place, extremely conducive and focused on giving the animals the best possible environment to flourish and feel comfortable in their habitat,” one happy customer wrote.
“Some beautiful woodland walks, plenty of things to do for children aside from seeing the animals, beautifully situated in the centre of the park, away from the majority of animals. Plenty of choice around the park for eating, whether you want a snack or something more substantial, as well as numerous picnic areas if you bring your own food.”
The winners were announced at the annual event hosted by journalist and broadcaster Sean Fletcher on 3 June at Aerospace Bristol.
Coming in second place in the Large Visitor Attraction of the Year rankings was Bletchley Park in Buckinghamshire, where visitors can learn about the code-breaking geniuses who were instrumental in helping the Allied Forces win WWII.
It is clearly a year for farms. The bronze award was handed to Attwell Farm Park in Worcestershire, a family-run petting farm where Pedigree Aberdeen Angus cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens and ducks are all ready to nibble some feed from your hand.
Gold, Silver and Bronze were awarded in 17 categories selected from 21 local awards. They ranged from ‘Regenerative Tourism Award’ to ‘Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award’ and from ‘New Tourism Business of the Year’ to ‘Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year’.
Tourism Minister Stephanie Peacock said: “I am delighted to see so many businesses across England being recognised for their outstanding work, helping to make people’s stays as enjoyable and memorable as possible.
“From hotels and pubs to glamping, museums and experiences, these awards are a real testament to those striving to ensure our tourism industry remains outstanding. Our upcoming Visitor Economy Growth Strategy will provide a clear, long-term plan to unlock investment, back businesses and showcase more of our great destinations to the world.”
VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes added: “The awards are a celebration of England’s outstanding tourism industry and an opportunity to highlight the excellence that makes it world-leading.
“From a hands-on, traditional blacksmith’s visitor experience in the Midlands and a castle hotel and spa set in one of our national parks to accessible and inclusive holidays, these awards showcase the exceptional quality, unparalleled customer service and innovation that drive our industry.
“I congratulate the wonderful range of first-class award recipients, all of whom are so passionate about tourism. They are all deserving winners.”
VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2026 winners
Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award:
Gold: Hoe Grange Holidays(opens in a new tab), Peak District, Derbyshire
Silver: Nottingham Playhouse(opens in a new tab), Nottingham
Bronze: Attwell Farm Park(opens in a new tab), Worcestershire
B&B and Guest House of the Year:
Gold: MonkBridge House(opens in a new tab), York
Silver: One Drake Road and Apartments(opens in a new tab), Devon
Bronze: Holly Lodge Boutique Bed & Breakfast(opens in a new tab), Norfolk
Business Events Venue of the Year:
Gold: Warwick Conferences(opens in a new tab), Warwick
Silver: Nottingham Venues(opens in a new tab), Nottingham
Bronze: The Catalyst(opens in a new tab), Newcastle
Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year:
Gold: Clawford Lakes Resort and Spa(opens in a new tab), Devon
Silver: Bredon View Glamping Retreats(opens in a new tab), Worcestershire
Bronze: Kaya at Blackhill Farm(opens in a new tab), Herefordshire
Experience of the Year:
Gold: Blacksmithing Experience Days(opens in a new tab), Oldfield Forge, Herefordshire
Silver: The Wizard Walk of York(opens in a new tab), York
Bronze: Make Your Own Distilled Spirit(opens in a new tab), Shed One Distillery, Cumbria
International Tourism Award:
Gold: The Beatles Story(opens in a new tab), Liverpool
Silver: Castle Howard(opens in a new tab), York
Bronze: Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves(opens in a new tab), Devon
Large Hotel of the Year:
Gold: Bovey Castle(opens in a new tab), Devon
Silver: Watergate Bay Hotel(opens in a new tab), Cornwall
Bronze: The Grand Brighton(opens in a new tab), Brighton
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year:
Gold: Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park(opens in a new tab), Suffolk
Silver: Bletchley Park(opens in a new tab), Buckinghamshire
Bronze: Attwell Farm Park(opens in a new tab), Worcestershire
New Tourism Business of the Year:
Gold: One Acre Wood(opens in a new tab), Herefordshire
Silver: The Story of Emily(opens in a new tab), Cornwall
Bronze: Flora and Fauna Exmoor(opens in a new tab), Somerset
Pub of the Year:
Gold: The Kirkstyle Inn and Sportsman’s Rest(opens in a new tab), Northumberland
Silver: The Tickled Trout, Barlow(opens in a new tab), Derbyshire
Bronze: The Tollemache Arms(opens in a new tab), Northamptonshire
Regenerative Tourism Award:
Gold: Eight at Gazegill by Doug Crampton(opens in a new tab), Lancashire
Silver: Gladwins Farm – Self Catering Holiday Cottages(opens in a new tab), Suffolk
Bronze: Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre(opens in a new tab), Birmingham
Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year:
Gold: Bosinver Farm Cottages(opens in a new tab), Cornwall
Silver: Cedar Hollow @ The Oaks(opens in a new tab), Oxfordshire
Bronze: Rowley Farm Holidays(opens in a new tab), Worcestershire
Small Hotel of the Year, sponsored by Booking.com:
Gold: The Tempus(opens in a new tab), Northumberland
Silver: Peak Edge Hotel(opens in a new tab), Derbyshire
Bronze: Farlam Hall Hotel & Restaurant(opens in a new tab), Cumbria
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year:
Gold: Morgan Experience(opens in a new tab), Worcestershire
Silver: Ad Gefrin Anglo-Saxon Museum & Whisky Distillery(opens in a new tab), Northumberland
Bronze: National Justice Museum(opens in a new tab), Nottinghamshire
Taste of England Award:
Gold: Carriages Restaurant(opens in a new tab), Herefordshire
Silver: Eight at Gazegill by Doug Crampton(opens in a new tab), Lancashire
Bronze: Blackfriars Restaurant(opens in a new tab), Newcastle
Unsung Hero Award:
Gold: Jayne Chapman – Tatton Park(opens in a new tab), Cheshire
Silver: Viv Smith – National Stone Centre(opens in a new tab), Derbyshire
Bronze: Andy Black – Horses and Ponies Protection Association(opens in a new tab), Lancashire





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