Northamptonshire’s visitor economy came together in style on Friday 27 February 2026 at Silverstone Museum as the county celebrated the winners of the inaugural Northamptonshire Tourism Business Awards, recognising the outstanding organisations, attractions, and individuals who make the county such a vibrant and welcoming destination.The awards brought together businesses from across Northamptonshire to honour excellence in hospitality, attractions, accommodation, customer service, accessibility, and food and drink. Hosted by John Griff, the evening marked a major milestone for the county’s tourism sector, showcasing the breadth of talent and dedication that drives Northamptonshire’s growing visitor appeal.A total of 11 awards were presented,...

03 March, 2026

The first ever Discover Northamptonshire Tourism Awards will take place at Silverstone Museum on Friday 27 February.The brand-new awards shine a spotlight on the very best of Northamptonshire’s vibrant tourism, hospitality and leisure sector, celebrating businesses that deliver exceptional visitor experiences and contribute to a thriving local economy. The awards were created to champion the industry’s innovation, resilience and community impact. This is a great opportunity for the county to build on the momentum of the Local Visitor Economy Partnership accreditation and the rising national profile for the county’s tourism sector.In Autumn 2025, Discover Northamptonshire invited nominations for the awards across 11 award categories ranging from ‘hotel...

12 February, 2026

Northamptonshire’s tourism sector is being encouraged to step into the spotlight, as entries remain open for the Northamptonshire Tourism Business Awards 2025—with the deadline approaching on Sunday 30 November at 11:59pm. The awards celebrate the very best of the county’s visitor economy, highlighting excellence, creativity and dedication across the full spectrum of tourism businesses. From boutique B&Bs and innovative new experiences to large attractions and hospitality venues, the awards provide a platform for organisations of all sizes to gain recognition for their exceptional contributions. Winners of the Northamptonshire Tourism Business Awards will earn the opportunity to progress directly to the VisitEngland Awards...

20 November, 2025

NNBN, The Northamptonshire Business Network is proudly backing Northamptonshire Day this year and is encouraging local people to join in the celebrations.This year, Northamptonshire Day will be marked with a dedicated event in Northampton Market Square on Saturday 25th October. The event will bring together residents, visitors, and local organisations to showcase the very best of Northamptonshire - from craftsmanship and innovation to local pride and community spirit.The day was inspired by St Crispin’s Day and has grown into a vibrant celebration of everything that makes our county unique.NNBN Director Simon Cox said “Northamptonshire Day is a day we should...

24 October, 2025

The outstanding success of the Women’s Rugby World Cup (WRWC) brought tens of thousands of people together to enjoy world-class sport, community events, and live entertainment, latest figures have confirmed.According to recent analysis on the event’s impact in Northampton, nearly 10,000 people attended the Women’s Rugby World Cup Fan Zones in the Market Square this summer, with a further 48,500 people watching the matches at Franklins Gardens. In addition to this around 2,000 people attended the Rugbyfest in Abington Park with over 1,000 people involved with the two trophy tours which took place in February 2025 and May 2025.The tournament...

15 October, 2025

Discover Northamptonshire, the county’s official Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP), has today launched the Northamptonshire Tourism Awards 2025 - inviting businesses from across the county to showcase their achievements and innovation.The launch of the awards follows on from the major success and economic boost to the visitor economy for Northamptonshire as a result of hosting the Women’s Rugby World Cup.With 13 award categories ranging from ‘large hotel of the year’ to ‘small visitor attraction’ and ‘pub of the year’, there’s plenty of opportunities for tourism and hospitality businesses to get involved. The awards focus on celebrating businesses and attractions that...

22 September, 2025

Northamptonshire is set to welcome its biggest ever Heritage Open Days celebration this September, with a record number of events and attractions registered across the county.Running from 12 to 21 September 2025, this year’s festival celebrates its 31st year with the theme of Architecture and Design - marking the first Heritage Open Days festival since Discover Northamptonshire, the Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP), gained accreditation from Visit England.With more venues and experiences than ever before, highlights of this year’s free event will include:Heritage trails in Northampton, Brackley and Daventry, plus a West Northamptonshire Council online assets trail showcasing buildings...

03 September, 2025

Northamptonshire has been buzzing with excitement as the Women’s Rugby World Cup lands in Northampton, bringing not just world-class sport but a wave of economic and cultural benefits to the region.With Franklin’s Gardens hosting thrilling matches and thousands of fans pouring in to cheer on their teams, local hotels, restaurants, and businesses have seen a welcome surge in activity.The Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP), Discover Northamptonshire, has played a key role in ensuring the county shines on the global stage. Richard Clinton, Chair of the LVEP, said:“This event has seen brilliant exposure for Northamptonshire as a destination for global sports events. The Women's Rugby World Cup...

28 August, 2025

Northampton is set to celebrate the arrival of the Women’s Rugby World Cup in style with RugbyFest - a free, family-friendly festival taking place in Abington Park on Friday 22 August 2025, from 2pm to 7pm.Hosted by Northampton Saints and Loughborough Lightning in partnership with West Northamptonshire Council (WNC), the carnival-themed event will take place in the heart of one of the town’s most loved green spaces. RugbyFest promises an action-packed afternoon and evening of entertainment, games, music, and celebration - culminating in a big-screen showing of the tournament’s opening match: England vs. USA.Whether you're a lifelong rugby fan or...

21 August, 2025

Local businesses are invited to an event at Northampton Saints to hear opportunities to get involved ahead of the upcoming Women’s Rugby World Cup (WRWC) 2025 taking place in Northampton later this year.The event, hosted by the Discover Northamptonshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) in collaboration with the Northamptonshire Tourism Business Network will take place on Tuesday 1 July, between 9.30am and 11am. With an agenda full of networking and insight into the plans for the WRWC, attendees will hear exclusive insights into the tournament’s vision and reach.Attendees will also receive an overview of the local Women’s Rugby World Cup...

24 June, 2025

A dedicated interactive Tourist Information Point has launched at Northampton Museum and Art Gallery, marking a significant milestone for Discover Northamptonshire, the Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP), in the ongoing drive to boost local tourism.Funded utilising UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF), the Tourist Information Point is just one way in which West Northamptonshire Council (WNC), as part of Discover Northamptonshire, is implementing ways to harness and grow the existing strengths of the local visitor economy; attracting increased footfall, spend, and overnight visitors.The new hub provides residents and visitors with an opportunity to discover the wide range of attractions and experiences...

18 June, 2025