One of Coventry’s top visitor attractions was among the big winners at a major awards ceremony celebrating leading lights in the region’s tourism industry.
Historic city centre venue St Mary’s Guildhall claimed a trio of top awards at the West Midlands Tourism Awards 2025, taking home Gold for International Tourism and Accessible & Inclusive Tourism at a star-studded ceremony at Edgbaston Stadium.
The 14th century attraction, which also claimed the Silver award for Small Visitor Attraction of the Year, was praised by judges for its tailored approach to international visitors and its staff’s “genuine passion” for accessibility and history.
The 700-year-old Grade I listed building completed its awards sweep less than three years after new management from No Ordinary Hospitality Management. The venue prides itself on offering unique experiences that cater to national and international visitors, from bespoke group packages with unique hands-on history experiences, to multilingual historical information sheets in a number of languages.
The city centre attraction also hosts family-friendly activities, sensory-friendly experiences, accessible tours, educational visits and community-focused talks, exhibitions and workshops.
Abi Moore, heritage and venue manager at St Mary’s Guildhall, said: “These awards are a huge testament to the dedication, passion and hard work of our incredible staff and volunteers at St Mary’s Guildhall.
“Every day, they bring history to life in the most welcoming and inclusive way possible – and we couldn’t be prouder!
“We re-opened with a completely new visitor offer in 2022 and a huge amount of work has gone into creating a high-quality heritage experience for people of all backgrounds, so we are delighted to have been recognised at a very special event for the region alongside so many other brilliant teams and attractions.
“A massive ‘thank you’ to our amazing visitors and supporters who have helped to make St Mary’s Guildhall such a special place.”
Councillor Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change at Coventry City Council, added: “We’re incredibly proud of the recognition that St Mary’s Guildhall has received.
“It’s a magnificent building – and that’s why we invested in restoring and transforming it to ensure it continues to be a jewel in Coventry’s crown.
“Ensuring venues like this are open and accessible to everyone is incredibly important and the recognition for the work in this area is well deserved. We really are committed to ensuring that our city’s rich heritage can be enjoyed by all.”
Funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund sustains ongoing events, activities, and capital investment at St Mary’s Guildhall, enhancing access to the venue and the renowned Coventry Tapestry with thanks to National Lottery players. For more information about St Mary’s Guildhall, visit www.stmarysguildhall.co.uk
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