A HISTORIC Hartlebury landmark has won an award for its contribution to tourism and leisure in the West Midlands.

Hartlebury Castle received the West Midlands Royal Institution Of Chartered Surveyors award for tourism and leisure at a ceremony at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens on May 8, and will now be entered into the national awards category.

The castle was nominated following extensive work to transform the site into a visitor attraction last year, and was also shortlisted for the buildings conservation award.

Judges said the scheme was "a creative and well-considered project which has achieved its key objective to convert an historic family home into a visitor attraction to complement the existing museum and save the famous Hurd Library".

They commented that the castle and cafe now provide and inclusive and varied space, describing the site as a "catalyst for tourism and interest in the wider area".

Robert Greenwood, trustee for Hartlebury Castle Preservation Trust, said: "It has been a privilege to work with such a talented team who delivered the trust’s vision of a great visitor destination, building on the heritage and influence of Hartlebury Castle and its thousand year history as home to the Bishops of Worcester."

Visitors can see the award-winning site from Tuesday to Friday between 10am and 5pm, and from 11am to 5pm on weekends.

For more information visit hartleburycastle.com or call 01299 250416.