Four Kent attractions have made it to the finals of the VisitEngland awards alongside top tourism destinations across the country.

The national tourist board has announced the finalists for this year’s Awards for Excellence and they include a countywide charity and businesses in Aylesford, Ashford and Folkestone.

Kent Wildlife Trust has been shortlisted for the Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award, alongwith Mill Farm Eco Barns in Norfolk, and The Yan at Broadrayne, Cumbria.

Kits Coty Glamping in Aylesford is up for Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year and finds itself up against the Darwin Forest Lodges in Derbyshire and The Secret Garden Glamping in Lancashire.

Boys Hall, a European restaurant and hotel in Ashford, is in line for the New Tourism Business of the Year award alongside the Sleepy Owl in Devon and The Wizard Walk of York in North Yorkshire.

The Battle of Britain Memorial, in Folkestone, could be crowned the Small Visitor Attraction of the Year. It us up against the Cotswolds Distillery in Warwickshire and the Nothe Fort in Dorset.

The 48 finalists were announced today following a rigorous judging process by handpicked tourism industry experts.

They will now go on to compete in 16 core categories at the national awards, with the Caravan and Motorhome Club announced as headline sponsor.

VisitEngland director, Andrew Stokes, said: “I am always impressed by the tourism businesses who make it onto our list of finalists with their innovative approaches to ensuring people have the most amazing experiences whilst delivering outstanding customer service across England. I congratulate all the finalists and wish them the very best of luck.”

The awards' categories range from Large Visitor Attraction of the Year and Small Hotel of the Year to New Tourism Business of the Year and Pub of the Year.

Applications to the awards were put forward for judging from businesses including hotels, self-catering accommodation providers, B&Bs, glamping operators, visitor attractions, restaurants, pubs and museums.

In addition to the 16 core categories, four special awards are also being presented including an Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award, a Travel Content Award, the Tourism Superstar Award and a TXGB Trailblazer Award.

All finalists are invited to attend the national awards ceremony at the Rum Warehouse at The Titanic Hotel Liverpool on June 5, where gold, silver and bronze winners will be announced at the black tie event.

The Family Holiday Charity is the chosen charity for this year’s event. For more information on the awards and finalists click here.

This year’s Awards aligned with 16 local competitions from across England with winners automatically put forward for the national awards.