The Visit Worcestershire awards judges have included the Severn Valley Railway in their final shortlist for their 2023/24 awards for excellence in tourism.

The West Midlands heritage railway runs for sixteen miles through Worcestershire and Shropshire, and has been selected as a finalist in the large visitor attraction category of the awards.

The other finalists are: Hanbury Hall (National Trust); Worcester Cathedral; Attwell Farm Park; West Midland Safari Park; and All Things Wild.

The judges took into consideration factors such as digital presence, inclusivity, recent improvements and future plans.

The judges will make their final deliberations on the finalists during unannounced mystery visits during the coming months, and will reveal the winner of the large visitor attraction award at a ceremony in March next year.

The SVR has also won a TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice award for the fourth year running. TripAdvisor gives these awards to the top ten per cent of visitor attractions around the world, based on reviews and ratings earned over the previous year.

Lesley Carr, SVR’s head of marketing and communications, said, “We’re delighted to have been selected as finalists in these prestigious awards.

“Of course, we know we’re up against very stiff competition, so we’re determined to do our very best to come through as overall winners.

“The SVR is very much a part of the region’s fabric and economy, and we’re constantly innovating and coming up with new ideas to attract visitors. Visiting us is so much more than a train ride, it’s a trip back in time and a chance to experience the past, have fun and make precious family memories.

“One of the ways in which we’re offering something extra this year is by giving a voucher for a free return visit to everyone who buys a Freedom-of-the-Line ticket. It’s proved extremely popular.”