Winners of the Visit York Tourism Awards 2025 Revealed

Last night (20 March), the winners of the Visit York Tourism Awards 2025 were revealed at a prestigious awards ceremony at York Racecourse.

The Visit York Tourism Awards, sponsored by LNER, recognise and celebrate the best of York’s businesses across tourism, hospitality and culture with the chance to win one of 16 awards. The evening was hosted by Claire Pulpher and Griffo from YO1 Radio.  

Organised by Make It York, the awards are now in their 27th year. These awards represent the best in York, and the winners and finalists exemplify excellence and dedication in welcoming York's 9 million visitors each year.  

The awards will then see eligible winners across a number of categories automatically put forward for the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2025, which will be held at the Brighton Dome Corn Exchange on 4 June, to compete for the crown of the country’s best.  
 

The first award of the evening and a new category for 2025, the Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award was won by Castle Howard. The judges said "the hugely detailed accessibility statements covering the entire estate in exhaustive detail are very impressive". Sutton Bank National Park Centre saw it Highly Commended for the same category.  

This year’s Large Visitor Attraction of the Year was presented to Castle Howard, and their second award of the evening, which scored highly recognising that “Everything was of the highest quality and team members were keen to provide great customer service.” 

The Small Visitor Attraction of the Yearwinner was Stump Cross Caverns, where it was praised for being “much, much more than just an amazing attraction” and how it would be recommended “for any family, adult or couple to spend an afternoon.”  

Another new award addition, the Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Awardwas won by York Gin, which recognises the business’s committed to being sustainable, responsible and ethical in how they operate and interact with customers, the wider community and the environment. The judges commented on how their messaging “encourages others to take responsibility too.” Host & Stay was also Highly Commended for its work in the same field.  

National Treasures: Monet in York 'The Water-Lily Pond' was awarded the Event, Festival or Cultural Experience of the Year award with judges recognising how “this exhibition demonstrated the ability to use an event to reach broader and more diverse audiences and encourage different ways of exploring and enjoying art and culture.” York Pride and York Proms saw them both equally Highly Commended for their events.  

Experience of the Year was awarded to The Wizard Walk of York, with judges recognising their “very strong entry for a great value and quality product reaching an increasing audience.” 

This year’s winner of Large Hotel of the Year was won by Sandburn Hall, which judges said is “A hotel with a clear identity and truly living its values. Being family owned and independent is a real point of difference which gives the opportunity to create a unique atmosphere. Working with a number of local suppliers and attractions speaks to a commitment to the Yorkshire hospitality community.” 

Small Serviced Accommodation Provider of the Year went to MonkBridge House with judges praising how its “A premium establishment with a commitment to both guest experience and looking after staff.” Last year’s winners, The Pheasant Hotel, received a Highly Commended. 

Elsewhere in accommodation, Camping, Glamping, Holiday Park and Self Catering Accommodation of the Year was awarded to Wolds Edge Holiday Lodges, where the judges were “100% impressed with the high quality and detail” in multiple visits. 

Independent Business of the Year was won by The Bloody Tour of York with judges recognising how the “storytelling is immaculate”, in addition to it being “Unique, and with a very strong reputation, the tour seems to go from strength to strength.”  

Avorium took Retailer of the Year, with judges praising their “thought, creativity and business and brand understanding.” 

The Riverfront York took away the New Tourism Business of the Year award, which was praised for its “combination of exceptional service, community involvement, and commitment to continual growth positions it as a leader in new tourism for York.” 

The Best of York Award was awarded to City Cruises York with judges commenting how it “stands out for enhancing the visitor experience through strong local partnerships and memorable river cruises, contributing significantly to York's tourism.”   

The Whippet Inn was the winner of the Taste of England Award, with judges noting that the “venue offers a modern dining experience in a historic building and the quality of the food is exceptional.” 

Pub of the Year was awarded to The Drovers Arms Restaurant & Country Pub, which was praised for how “the pub had a friendly buzz and a welcoming atmosphere, and is a business that cares about all aspects of the business.” 

Now in its second year, the Hospitality Hero Award, in partnership with the Hospitality Association York (HAY), was won by Juliana Ene, from Delta Hotels by Marriott York, which recognises the individual's commitment and hard work in their field. 

Sarah Loftus, Managing Director of Make It York, said:  

"Congratulations to all the winners and finalists at this year’s Visit York Tourism Awards! We are honoured to recognise these businesses that exemplify excellence, innovation and dedication to their craft and passion. Their achievements set a benchmark for success and inspire the entire industry, not just within York but beyond the region. Make It York is extremely proud to be working with such a calibre of businesses and talented individuals." 

Full list of the Visit York Tourism Awards 2025 winners and finalists: 

Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award(VE) sponsored by The Grand, York 

WINNER: Castle Howard  

Finalist: Sutton Bank National Park Centre (Highly Commended) 

Camping, Glamping, Holiday Park and Self Catering Accommodation of the Year (VE) sponsored by Yorwaste 

WINNER: Wolds Edge Holiday Lodges  

Finalists: Celebration Holiday Homes, Griffon Forest Holiday Lodges, High Oaks Grange 

Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award (VE) sponsored by First Bus 

WINNER: York Gin  

Finalist: Host & Stay (Highly Commended) 

Event, Festival or Cultural Experience of the Year sponsored by Buttercrumble 

WINNER: National Treasures: Monet in York 'The Water-Lily Pond'  

Finalists: York Pride (Highly Commended), York Proms (Highly Commended), The Hocus Pocus Witches' Coven, Hallowscream at York Maze 

Experience of the Year (VE) sponsored by LNER 

WINNER: The Wizard Walk of York 

Finalists: City Cruises York, The Bloody Tour of York 

Independent Business of the Year sponsored by Latimer by Clarion Housing Group 

WINNER: The Bloody Tour of York  

Finalists: Hocus Pocus Tiny Hotel, The Potions Cauldron Group, The Wizard Walk of York 

Large Hotel of the Year (VE) sponsored by Streamline Taxis 

WINNER: Sandburn Hall  

Finalists: Aldwark Manor Estate, Middletons Hotel – part of Daniel Thwaites 

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year (VE) sponsored by NFU Mutual Vale of York Agency 

WINNER: Castle Howard 

Finalists: The York Dungeon, Web Adventure Park, York's Chocolate Story 

New Tourism Business of the Year (VE) sponsored by Your Creative Sauce 

WINNER: The Riverfront York  

Finalists: Ampleforth Abbey, The Old Liquor Store Restaurant & Bar 

Pub of the Year (VE) sponsored by Hunter Gee Holroyd 

WINNER: The Drovers Arms Restaurant & Country Pub 

Finalist: Plonkers Wine Bar & Bistro 

Retailer of the Year sponsored by York BID 

WINNER: Avorium 

Finalists: The Cat Gallery, The Potions Cauldron, York Gin 

Small Serviced Accommodation Provider of the Year (VE) sponsored by Booking.com 

WINNER: MonkBridge House  

Finalists: The Pheasant Hotel (Highly Commended), Galtres Lodge, Stone House Hotel 

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year (VE) sponsored by Shambles Market 

WINNER: Stump Cross Caverns  

Finalists: Mother Shipton's Cave, York Army Museum, Yorkshire Heart Vineyard 

Taste of England Award (VE) sponsored by Fowlers 

WINNER: The Whippet Inn  

Finalists: Forest, The Drovers Arms Restaurant & Country Pub 

The Best of York Award sponsored by York St John 

WINNER: City Cruises York  

Finalists: Mad Alice, The Wizard Walk of York, York's Chocolate Story 

Hospitality Hero Award presented by Hospitality Association York (HAY) 

WINNER: Juliana Ene, Delta Hotels by Marriott York 

Finalists: Sarah Simpson, The Milner York; Karl Horton, Novotel York 

More information about the Visit York Tourism Awards can be found at visityork.org/awards