Liverpool’s leading waterfront attraction, The Beatles Story, is celebrating national recognition after being named a finalist in the 2026 VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, proudly representing Liverpool City Region on a national stage.
The Beatles Story has been shortlisted in the International Tourism Award category, which recognises outstanding attractions that successfully attract and engage visitors from around the world.
Now in their 35th year, the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence champion the very best of England’s tourism industry, celebrating quality, innovation and exceptional customer service across attractions, experiences, accommodation and destinations. Finalists are selected following a rigorous judging process led by industry experts.
Based on Liverpool’s historic Royal Albert Dock, The Beatles Story is much more than a museum, offering an immersive journey through the lives, music and legacy of the band that changed the world. Through authentic memorabilia, atmospheric recreations of key moments including Hamburg, The Cavern Club and Abbey Road, and a strong focus on storytelling, the attraction continues to inspire visitors from across the globe.
VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes said:
“These awards honour the very best businesses and individuals in tourism, who are the driving force in an industry that delivers growth to local economies across England. I thank them for their dedicated service, congratulate them on achieving finalist status and wish them every success.”
The Beatles Story’s General Manager, Mary Chadwick, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to be confirmed as finalists in the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2026 in the International Tourism Award category. Having won Gold in the same category last year, to once again be recognised at a national level, and to be the only business in the Liverpool City Region shortlisted this year, is a fantastic achievement and a proud moment for our whole team. This recognition reflects the passion, commitment and hard work that goes into delivering a world‑class experience for our visitors every day, and we are honoured to see that effort celebrated on a national stage.”
Natalie Wyatt, Managing Director of Liverpool City Region Destination Partnership, enthusiastically welcomed the news, adding:
“I would like to be among the first to congratulate The Beatles Story on achieving national finalist status in the VisitEngland Awards, reflecting the attraction’s exceptional contribution to Liverpool City Region’s visitor economy. Music, heritage and storytelling play a critical role in how places are discovered, experienced and remembered on the world stage. As global competition for visitors continues to intensify, investment in world‑class cultural experiences is essential to sustaining growth, driving economic impact and shaping how our region is perceived internationally.”
The 53 finalists, selected following a rigorous judging process by handpicked tourism industry experts, will now go on to compete in 16 core categories at this year’s awards. There will also be three special awards, including the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award’, the ‘Travel Content Award’ and the ‘Tourism Superstar Award’.
This VisitEngland Awards for Excellence worked in collaboration with 21 local competitions across England with 369 winners automatically put forward for national recognition.
Winners will be announced at a glittering black-tie awards ceremony, set to be held at Aerospace Bristol on 3rd June, where Gold, Silver and Bronze awards will be presented across 16 categories, alongside a number of special awards.
For more information on the awards and to read more about the other nominees, click HERE.
For more information on The Beatles Story, click HERE.
For more information on the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, click HERE.