Cannon Hall Farm wins regional prize

On Monday 10th October  Cannon Hall Farm triumphed at a glittering awards ceremony honouring the regions finest tourist attractions at Doncaster Racecourse. We took home the award for “BEST TOURISM EXPERIENCE” in Welcome to Yorkshire’s White Rose Awards.

The event was attended by almost a thousand people and hosted by Christa Ackroyd from BBC TV’s Look North.

The judges were particularly impressed by special events organised at the farm including the annual Halloween Pumpkin festival and the Lambing Live experience earlier this year. They also commented on the farms appearance on BBC’s The One Show, showing autistic children visiting the farm and taking the tourism product to a wider audience.

Other finalists in this section were Magna Science Adventure Centre, Lightwater Valley Theme Park, Harrogate Turkish Baths & Health Spa, Heritage Inspired and Stockeld Park.

Managing director, Robert Nicholson said “To win this award is a great honour and a boost for an area not immediately associated with tourism. To go to a big event like that and win against the high calibre of attractions in our section is testament to the quality that Barnsley has to offer.”

Looking to the future Cannon Hall Farm has prepared a planning application listing major developments at the site.

The scheme will include a new farmyard, indoor play area, school visitor centre and a farm shop that will rival the very best in the UK. When the scheme is completed it is anticipated that 150 new jobs will be created on top of the 160 already in place.

Investment could reach £5 million by the time the scheme is completed. Robert commented “This scheme shows our ambition and determination to make Cannon Hall Farm a tourist attraction of national significance and help put Barnsley on the map.”

Robert added, “It is all down to the hard work of our brilliant team and we are determined to do Yorkshire proud at the Visit England Awards for Excellence in 2012.”