Shiverpool has won VisitEngland’s 2026 Best Told Story accolade, marking 21 years of transforming the City of Liverpool into a stage for their unique brand of street theatre storytelling. Shiverpool Director Lucy Carew and John Stone, the company’s original man with the plan, accepted the award on behalf of the team at the British Motor Museum in Gaydon, in historic Warwickshire.
The accolades, presented to 73 attractions across England, recognise all aspects of the visitor experience and are awarded in five categories including ‘Hidden Gem,’ ‘Best Told Story,’ ‘Quality Food and Drink,’ ‘Welcome,’ as well as ‘Gold’ for customer experience excellence. It was wonderful to be in the great company of fellow Merseysiders from Port Sunlight Village Liverpool Cathedral Welsford Bistro and the Mersey Tunnel Tours.
VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes said:
“England’s visitor attractions are first-class, and these accolades highlight why they deserve this recognition. The recipients of these awards provide an outstanding welcome, unparalleled food and drink and magical storytelling making them integral to the high-quality tourism offer provided to domestic and international visitors.
“From stadium tours and water parks, castles, cathedrals and museums to wildlife reserves and wetlands these attractions provide outstanding customer service, going above and beyond to make visitor experiences extra special and spreading the economic benefits of tourism across communities in England.”
Shiverpool, Liverpool’s original theatrical ghost tour, previously won the coveted Gold Accolade and Guided Tour of the Year title at the VisitEngland Awards. Beginning outside the world-famous Philharmonic pub, the Hope Street Shivers tour takes in both cathedrals, the grandeur of the Wellington Rooms, the Rodney Street conservation area before descending deep into the magical world of St James’ Cemetery Garden, the ‘Dormitory of the Dead’.
The Hope Street Shivers scored 94% in its 2026 VisitEngland assessment. The assessor praised its “humour, drama and theatrical energy” and its “real care and respect for the history, landmarks, community past and present”. Shiverpool has received more than 2,500 reviews, with guests singling out the guides’ knowledge, the laughter that breaks the tension and the thrill of watching theatre unfold in the street.
Lucy Carew, Shiverpool Director, said: “Around half of Shiverpool’s audience is still Liverpool-based. People who first came with their parents now bring children of their own. Visitors make an evening of it, calling into historic pubs and independent restaurants before or after the show. Schools from the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and the USA have brought successive groups of pupils to Liverpool for close to a decade.”
“I’m so, so proud to accept this award on behalf of our fabulous, small but mighty team, from the guides out in all weather to everyone who puts the show together behind the scenes. It’s a privilege to fly the flag for Liverpool on the national stage. We’d love to dedicate this award to our brilliant audiences. Thank you for coming out with us, for coming back and for writing reviews that so often capture the essence of what we do better than we ever could.
“We are very grateful to VisitEngland for recognising the work that we do and for hosting a fabulous afternoon at the British Motor Museum.
“A special thank you to my fellow Friends of St James’ Garden, who work so hard to look after the enchanted ‘Great Green Lung’, our sanctuary in the city. Thank you to Liverpool City Council for their support and expertise in protecting the green spaces we love, and hats off to all our dear friends and colleagues across Liverpool’s visitor economy and beyond.
“What a way to celebrate 21 years of street theatre shenanigans, and in such illustrious company. We’ve weathered a few tempests along the way, but if tonight proves anything, it’s this. Never give up the ghost!”
Shiverpool will be delivering the trademark shiver throughout the Christmas season. Its programme of tours and experiences is now open for booking at shiverpool.co.uk.
Notes to editors
Founded in Liverpool in 2005, Shiverpool is an independent, family-run theatrical ghost and history tour company managed by Shiverpool Community Spirit CIC.
Shiverpool runs public tours in Liverpool city centre every week of the year. Audiences can choose from three experiences.
The Famous Hope Street Shivers
A theatrical ghost tour through Liverpool’s Georgian Quarter, from the Philharmonic pub and the city’s two cathedrals to the depths of St James’ Garden. Tour details
The Auld City & The Dead House
Explore Liverpool’s seven original streets, hear the city’s oldest recorded ghost story and descend through a trapdoor into the Dead House, an old morgue in the grounds of St Nicholas’ Church. Tour details
Secret Garden Cemetery Shivers
A ghost walk through St James’ Cemetery Garden, where the hauntings and hidden histories of Liverpool’s necropolis meet the gruesome realities of Victorian public health. Tour details
The VisitEngland Visitor Attraction Accolades 2025-2026
Attractions have received accolades based on the scores they obtained following their annual VisitEngland Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme assessment.
Now in their 12th year, VisitEngland’s Visitor Attraction Accolades are awarded to participants of the VisitEngland Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme across a range of tourism attractions from historic houses, gardens, country parks and farm attractions to galleries, museums, churches and cathedrals.
Participating attractions are supported by a network of highly trained and experienced independent assessors who deliver advice and guidance on improving and promoting the quality, accessibility and sustainability of their offer. Winners can display the Accolade logo at their attraction, online and in their marketing materials.
The VisitEngland Visitor Attraction Accolades 2025-2026 were presented at a celebratory lunch at the British Motor Museum in Warwickshire on 10 November.
Tourism is one of England’s largest and most valuable industries, supporting more than two million jobs, sustaining hundreds of thousands of small and medium-sized businesses, and generating £127 billion annually for the economy.
