Record-breaking response as finalists revealed for 2026 REYTAs

ORGANISERS Visit Hull and East Yorkshire (VHEY) have reported the highest number of entries in the awards’ 16-year history, alongside a record number of businesses entering for the first time and more new tourism businesses getting involved than ever before.

Now, 70 finalists have been shortlisted across 15 categories, representing the breadth of Hull and East Yorkshire’s visitor economy and ranging from established attractions, hotels and hospitality businesses to independent producers, events, experiences and some of the sector’s newest names.

The finalists will go forward to the 16th annual REYTAs ceremony at Bridlington Spa on Wednesday, November 18, when hundreds of people from across the visitor economy will come together to celebrate the region’s tourism champions.

The REYTAs recognise excellence across the tourism sector and have become one of Hull and East Yorkshire’s most prestigious business awards programmes.

Chris Blacksell, Chair of VHEY – the accredited Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP), funded by East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Hull City Council – said: “This has been a record-breaking year for the REYTAs and the response from businesses across Hull and East Yorkshire has been incredible.

“Not only have we received more entries than ever before, we’ve also seen a record number of businesses entering for the first time and more new tourism businesses getting involved. That is hugely encouraging and demonstrates the confidence, ambition and entrepreneurial spirit that exists across our visitor economy.

“Now we have a really strong shortlist which showcases the quality and diversity of what Hull and East Yorkshire has to offer. I’d like to congratulate every one of our finalists. Getting to this point from such a strong field is a real achievement and we’re looking forward to celebrating with them at Bridlington Spa in November

The shortlist includes a mixture of previous REYTAs winners and finalists alongside businesses and organisations receiving recognition through the awards for the first time.

This year’s Remarkable New Tourism Business of the Year category alone features five finalists – Blok & Vine and Beverley Bites, both in Beverley; Ocean Explorer Bridlington; The New Clarence, in Hull; and Middle Child Theatre, also in Hull.

Other categories demonstrate the geographical spread and variety of the region’s tourism offer, with finalists from Driffield, Hornsea, Howden, Goole, Flamborough and Pocklington.

Councillor Nick Coultish, portfolio holder for culture, leisure and tourism at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “To have a record number of entries this year, alongside more first-time entrants and new tourism businesses entering than ever before, is absolutely fantastic.

“Congratulations to everyone who has made the shortlist. Reaching this stage against such strong competition is something to celebrate in itself, and I’m really looking forward to hearing more about our finalists and recognising the contribution they make to our region.”

Councillor Jackie Dad, Deputy Leader of Hull City Council, said: “The response to this year’s REYTAs has been amazing and the record number of entries is a real reflection of the strength and ambition of our visitor economy.

“Being shortlisted is a significant achievement and every finalist should be extremely proud. They represent the very best of what our area has to offer and I’m delighted we will have the opportunity to celebrate them at what promises to be another memorable REYTAs ceremony.”

The awards ceremony will be hosted by Bridlington-born TV and radio star Jack Marriner-Brown, who appeared in series three of BBC hit The Traitors and is also a BBC Morning Live presenter and radio host on BBC Radio Humberside.

Eligible REYTAs winners will progress to the prestigious VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, giving businesses the opportunity to represent Hull and East Yorkshire on the national stage.

The REYTAs have been awarded ‘Outstanding’ in the Awards Trust Mark Accreditation, recognising their transparency, integrity and impact.

Fred Marketing is once again a headline sponsor of the REYTAs.

The 2026 REYTAs finalists:

Remarkable Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award, sponsored by HPSS

• Freedom Festival Arts Trust, Hull
• Broadgate Farm Cottages, Walkington
• Hull Truck Theatre
• Hull Adventure

Remarkable Business Events Venue of the Year, sponsored by Bridlington Spa     

• Doubletree by Hilton Hull
• C4DI, Hull
• The Manor Rooms, South Cave

Remarkable Regenerative Tourism Award, sponsored by Acklams 

• Wold Escapes, Driffield
• Dumble Farm, Arram
• Bridlington Animal Park
• Broadgate Farm Cottages, Walkington
• Spurn Discovery Centre & Nature Reserve

Remarkable New Tourism Business of the Year              

• Blok & Vine, Beverley
• Beverley Bites
• Ocean Explorer Bridlington
• The New Clarence, Hull
• Middle Child Theatre on Humber Street, Hull

Remarkable Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year           

• Dacre Lakeside Park, Brandesburton
• Wold Escapes, Driffield
• Raywell Hall Country Lodge Park, Cottingham
• Butt Farm Caravan, Camping & Glamping Site, Beverley
• Longbeach Leisure Park, Hornsea

Remarkable Large Hotel of the Year         

• Cave Castle Hotel, South Cave
• Doubletree by Hilton Hull

Remarkable Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year           

• Bumblebee Escapes, Driffield
• Northfield Lodge, Huggate
• Cherry Tree Cottage, Flamborough
• Broadgate Farm Cottages, Walkington

Remarkable Small Serviced Accommodation of the Year

• Salt on the Harbour, Bridlington
• Tickton Grange
• The Briarcroft | Wayth Hotels, Goole

Remarkable Cuppa Award

• The Stables Kitchen, Skirlaugh
• Gemini Chocolate, Beverley
• Field House Coffee Barn, Tibthorpe
• Patisserie House, Hull
• Drewton's Farm Shop, South Cave

Remarkable Pub of the Year, sponsored by Lyon PR    

• The White Hart, Hull
• Jeromes Pavilion Bar and Grill, Bridlington
• Garbutts, Hull
• Old English Gentleman, Hull
• Ferguson Fawsitt, Walkington

Remarkable Taste of East Yorkshire Award        

• Drewton’s Farm Shop, South Cave
• Junk Bar, Beverley
• Roku Asia, Beverley
• Boathouse at North Landing, Flamborough
• Salt on the Harbour, Bridlington

Remarkable Local Producer Award, sponsored by East Yorkshire Local Food Network          

• The Egg Shed Farm Shop, Atwick
• Nichols Pickles & Preserves, Howden
• Rowley Produce, Cottingham
• East Coast Shellfish, Flamborough
• Patisserie House, Hull

Remarkable Experience of the Year          

• ‘What Was Here?’ app, Hull and East Yorkshire
• Walking & Tasting Tours in Beverley, Beverley Bites
• Capybara Experience, Bridlington animal park
• Silver Stacking Rings, Tori Foster Jewellery, Pocklington
• Goat Yoga, Ings Park Alpacas, Brough

Remarkable Visitor Attraction of the Year, sponsored by Lloyd Dowson     

• William’s Den, North Cave
• Bridlington Animal Park
• Woldies, Wintringham
• Little Astronauts, Hull
• Sledmere House and Gardens

Remarkable Tourism Event of the Year, sponsored by Hull Trains    

• Freedom Festival, Hull
• H2O Heroes at The Deep, Hull
• Paws in the Pasture at Tickton Farm
• Bridlington Ice Trail
• The Big Malarkey Festival, Hull Libraries
• Pride in Hull
• Beverley Pride
• Humber Street Sesh, Hull
• Blue Light Weekend, Withernsea.

For more information about the REYTAs visit https://visithullandeastyorkshire.co.uk/remarkable-east-yorkshire-tourism-awards/