Mick, who has dedicated eight years to bringing Evesham’s medieval heritage to life, leads the large-scale re-enactments and festival activities that attract around 60,000 visitors to the town every August. His passion for storytelling and commitment to building a welcoming community of re-enactors has transformed the event into one of Worcestershire’s biggest annual draws.
VisitEngland’s Tourism Superstar is one of the country’s most celebrated tourism honours, shining a spotlight on exceptional individuals who bring England’s visitor experience to life. Mick becomes the first person from Worcestershire to receive the national title, a landmark moment for the county and a testament to his years of dedication.
This year’s Tourism Superstar competition was fiercely contested, with ten national finalists representing the breadth of England’s visitor economy. Over 20,000 votes were cast in the competition with strong support from Worcestershire residents, local businesses, visitors and the wider re-enactment community rallying behind a much-loved local champion.
Mick Hurst, Founder of the Battle of Evesham Festival re-enactments, said: "I am so proud to be named this year's VisitEngland Tourism Superstar. The Battle of Evesham was pivotal in England’s history and to tell this story we created a year-round series of events with the dedication of 800+ re-enactors plus the support of over 80 local volunteers. We have ignited a passion for our heritage that is transforming the fortunes of our town – using its history to create a brighter future."
Visit Worcestershire nominated Mick in recognition of his role in raising the profile of the county’s heritage story, increasing national and international visitation, and supporting wider efforts to strengthen Worcestershire’s visitor economy.
Lorna Robinson, Visitor Economy and Destination Manager at Visit Worcestershire, said: “I am absolutely over the moon that Mick has been crowned this year’s VisitEngland Tourism Superstar. Anyone who has ever met Mick will know exactly why he deserves this. His passion, his energy, and his unwavering love for Evesham and Worcestershire are nothing short of extraordinary.
From creating the Battle of Evesham Festival, to developing it into a year-round programme, to championing the town and county at every opportunity, Mick pours his heart into everything he does. He has an incredible ability to make history feel alive, welcoming and full of joy. Whether he’s greeting visitors, reassuring traders and re-enactors at the Battle of Evesham festival, or portraying Prince Edward when promoting Evesham around the country, he approaches everything with the same warmth and enthusiasm.
When we asked Worcestershire to get behind him, the response was phenomenal – a real testament to how loved, respected and admired he is across our county. Mick isn’t just a brilliant ambassador for Worcestershire; he’s a shining example of what makes our visitor economy so special: passion, pride and people. We couldn’t be prouder to see him recognised on the national stage. He is, in every sense, our very own superstar.”
Mick will receive his national award at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence ceremony in June 2026, where the very best of England’s tourism sector will be celebrated.