The best of the best in York’s visitor industry have been showcased at the Visit York Tourism Awards.
The awards, sponsored by LNER, celebrate excellence across York’s tourism, hospitality and cultural sectors, recognising outstanding achievement across 17 award categories.
Organised by Make It York, these awards, now in their 28th year, celebrate the very best of York and the surrounding area, highlighting businesses that demonstrate exceptional quality, commitment and service in welcoming the city’s 9.4 million visitors.
The winners were announced last night (Thursday) at York Racecourse.
Eligible winners across 12 of the 17 categories will be automatically put forward for the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2026 for recognition on a national stage and compete for the crown of the country’s best, taking place in June.
For the first time in the award’s history, joint winners have been selected for the Event, Festival or Cultural Experience of the Year award category, recognising both Christmas at Castle Howard and York Proms. The judges felt it was a nearly impossible task to select one winner.
Sarah Loftus, managing director of Make It York, said: “It was a fantastic evening announcing this year’s winners, whose achievements reflect the very best of what York has to offer.”
Polly Bennett, chair of Visit York Tourism Awards judges and founder of Little Vikings, said: “Judging is always a challenging process, and this year was no exception, as reflected by the joint winners. With so many remarkable businesses to celebrate, making the final decisions is never easy. Congratulations to all the winners, and finalists!”
All the finalists
Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award
WINNER: The York Dungeon
Finalists: Next Door But One *Highly Commended
Camping, Glamping, Holiday Park and Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year
WINNER: The Riverfront York
Finalists: Akebar Park, Coffee Yard Apartment
Event, Festival or Cultural Experience of the Year
JOINT WINNERS: Christmas at Castle Howard AND York Proms
Finalists: WizardFest – The Wizard of York
Experience of the Year
WINNER: The Wizard Walk of York
Finalist: Mountain Goat
Independent Business of the Year
WINNER: The Wizard Walk of York
Finalists: York Gin *Highly Commended, The Riverfront York
International Tourism Award
WINNER: Castle Howard
Finalist: The Grand, York
Large Hotel of the Year
WINNER: No. 1 York by GuestHouse
Finalists: Aldwark Manor Estate, Elmbank York, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, The Milner York
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
WINNER: The York Dungeon
Finalists: Castle Howard *Highly Commended, JORVIK Viking Centre (York Archaeological Trust for Research and Excavation) *Highly Commended, Monk Park Farm, York’s Chocolate Story
New Tourism Business of the Year
WINNER: The Puzzling World of Professor Kettlestring
Finalists: The Wenlock Arms, York Distillery – Home of York Gin
Pub of the Year
WINNER: The Wenlock Arms
Finalists: Guy Fawkes Inn, House of The Trembling Madness, Lendal, The Drovers Arms Restaurant & Country Pub
Regenerative Tourism Award
WINNER: MonkBridge House
Finalists: Wolds Edge Holiday Lodges, York Gin
Retailer of the Year
WINNER: Avorium
Finalists: York Gin *Highly Commended, Love Cheese, Villains Rum
Small Serviced Accommodation Provider of the Year
WINNER: MonkBridge House
Finalists: Hocus Pocus Tiny Hotel
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
WINNER: Mother Shipton’s Cave
Finalists: Sledmere House and Gardens, Stump Cross Caverns, Woldies
Taste of England Award
WINNER: Bosun’s Restaurant at The Riverfront York
Finalists: The Drovers Arms Restaurant & Country Pub, The Whippet Inn
The Best of York Award
WINNER: The York Dungeon
Finalists: The Milner York, The Wizard Walk of York, York’s Chocolate Story
Hospitality Hero Award
WINNER: Ben Winterburn, Dean Court York
Finalists: Julia Betteridge, Middlethorpe Hall, Carolynn Foster, The Milner York, Alex McLeod, The York Dungeon
