The Black Country Living Museum has been crowned the best large visitor attraction in the country.
It was among several West Midlands tourist destinations that celebrated gold medals in Visit England’s annual awards on Wednesday.
Mallory Court Country House Hotel and Spa in Warwickshire was named large hotel of the year while Keele University’s won business events venue of the year.
A further seven places in the region won silver and bronze medals, external.
The museum saw off competition from Liverpool Football Club Tours and Experiences and the National Space Centre to claim the top spot, describing it as “a moment of real pride not just for the museum but for the entire Black Country region”.
“To take home the gold is a proud moment for us all and a well-earned recognition of the passion and dedication of our staff and volunteers,” director and CEO Andrew Lovett said.
“I’m thrilled we can now celebrate this with our visitors, who are such a vital part of our story.”
The museum said its staff and volunteers were at “the heart of this success” as their “passion, knowledge and care bring our site to life every day”.
The attraction recently added an industrial quarter to the site which features buildings and characters from the 1950s, a 1960s high street and numerous other recreations reflecting 250 years of local history.
More than 1,800 entries from across the country were whittled down to 52 national finalists judged by tourism industry experts at the Brighton Dome Corn Exchange, the museum said.
World of Wedgwood in Staffordshire won silver in the International Tourism category, which councillor Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, described as an “amazing recognition”.
“It’s great that on the first ever Stoke-on-Trent day, we can further spotlight the very best our city has to offer in tourism and show people what a wonderful part of the country this city is to explore and enjoy.”
Caroline Gall
BBC News, West Midlands
BBC Birmingham
