NOAH'S Ark Zoo Farm has made it through to the VisitEngland finals for the national Awards for Excellence.

The zoo is just one of the 48 finalists who will go forward to compete for the national award. 

They will be competing against WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre, which has also been selected for the 2022/23 Bristol Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards.

VisitEngland director, Andrew Stokes, said: “This impressive list of finalists demonstrates the innovation and excellence thriving across England’s tourism industry.

"The quality and number of applications also highlights the outstanding range of products and experiences on offer for both domestic and international visitors. We wish the finalists the very best of luck.”

Awards organiser, Nell Barrington, said: “I am absolutely thrilled that these brilliant businesses are through to the finals and will be showcasing the best of Bristol, Bath and Somerset at these prestigious national awards, good luck to them both.”

Posting on social media, a spokesperson from Noah's Ark Zoo Farm said: "We are delighted to share that Noah's Ark Zoo Farm has been named a finalist for the Visit England Awards for accessibility.

"Noah's Ark Zoo Farm has been working on its Ark for All programme for over 5 years with the vision to become a place where everyone feels welcome."

The route into VisitEngland National Awards for Excellence is via the Bristol Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards.  The winners from Bristol Bath and Somerset feed into the South West Tourism Awards, then the top businesses are put forward to compete in the VisitEngland Awards.   

The zoo will have to wait until June 7 to hear if they have won, when a national awards ceremony will take place at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter.

Businesses will be in for a chance of winning a bronze, silver or gold award.

Thanks to sponsors, it is free for businesses to enter the competition.

All entries must be submitted online by midnight on Sunday, June 18.

For any establishments that may have questions, there will be two online workshops taking place on May 17 and May 23, designed to give you all the information you need. This can be booked via the website.