The Visit York Tourism Awards 2026, sponsored by LNER, will take place on 12th March 2026 at the historic York Racecourse. The Visit York Tourism Awards celebrates excellence across a diverse range of categories, recognising the outstanding achievements of businesses and individuals within York’s vibrant tourism sector.
Each category will honour those who demonstrate exceptional quality, innovation and dedication in providing memorable experiences for visitors. From inclusive tourism to sustainable practices, and from the best in accommodation to extraordinary events, these awards will shine a spotlight on the very best that York has to offer.
Applications are closed, and we're excited to annouce the finalists for The Visit York Tourism Awards 2026! Discover the list of York businesses below.
For detail on sponsoring an award, click here. To discuss sponsorship opportunities, please contact awards@makeityork.com.
Visit York Tourism Awards – Categories
Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award
Award sponsored by Splendid Hospitality Group
This award recognises tourism businesses that excel in providing an inclusive customer experience, particularly for those with accessibility requirements.
Finalists
Camping, Glamping, Holiday Park and Self Catering Accommodation of the Year
Award sponsored by Yorwaste
This award recognises self catering accommodation, holiday parks, sites and villages that provide exceptional guest experiences across properties for let, static vans, touring pitches, shepherd's huts and more.
Finalists
Akebar Park
Coffee Yard Apartment
The Riverfront York
Regenerative Tourism Award
Award sponsored by First Bus
Recognises tourism businesses from across the visitor economy who are truly committed to championing and delivering a regenerative tourism approach to their sustainable actions. Showing clearly how visitors are encouraged to behave in a responsible way throughout their visit or stay.
Finalists
Event, Festival or Cultural Experience of the Year
Sponsorship opportunity available
This award recognises organisers of truly memorable and immersive events and festivals for visitors to enjoy.
Finalists
Christmas at Castle Howard
WizardFest - The Wizard of York
York Proms
Experience of the Year
Award sponsored by LNER
This award recognises providers of truly memorable and immersive activities for visitors to participate in.
Finalists
Independent Business of the Year
Sponsorship opportunity available
For businesses directly involved in tourism, with a unique selling point that might be a retail offering, theme or entertainment and with no more than 5 branches.
Finalists
Large Hotel of the Year
Award sponsored by Streamline Taxis
This award recognises full service hotels providing truly memorable guest experiences and demonstrating excellence across every aspect of the business.
Finalists
Aldwark Manor Estate
Elmbank York, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
No. 1 York by GuestHouse
The Milner York
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
Award sponsored by Shambles Market
This award recognises large visitor attraction businesses providing truly memorable visitor experiences and demonstrating excellence across every aspect of the business.
Finalists
Castle Howard
JORVIK Viking Centre (York Archaeological Trust for Research and Excavation)
Monk Park Farm
The York Dungeon
York's Chocolate Story
New Tourism Business Award
Award sponsored by Studio YCS
This award recognises high performing new tourism businesses, demonstrating excellent understanding of their market, exceeding the expectations of their customers with clear plans for future development.
Finalists
The Puzzling World of Professor Kettlestring
The Wenlock Arms
York Distillery - Home of York Gin
Pub of the Year
Award sponsored by Hunter Gee Holroyd
This award recognises pubs that make a significant contribution to tourism in their area, with a food and drink offering that includes quality locally sourced produce.
Finalists
Guy Fawkes Inn
House of The Trembling Madness, Lendal
The Drovers Arms Restaurant & Country Pub
The Wenlock Arms
Retailer of the Year
Award sponsored by York BID
This award recognises businesses that make a significant contribution to tourism in their area, with a retail offering.
Finalists
Small Serviced Accomodation Provider of the Year
Award sponsored by Booking.com
This award recognises small serviced accommodation businesses providing truly memorable guest experiences and demonstrating excellence across every aspect of the business.
Finalists
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
Sponsorship opportunity available
This award recognises small visitor attraction businesses providing truly memorable visitor experiences and demonstrating excellence across every aspect of the business.
Finalists
Mother Shipton's Cave
Sledmere House and Gardens
Stump Cross Caverns
Woldies
Taste of England Award
Award sponsored by Fowlers
This award recognises businesses within the tourism industry that offer food, beverage and service innovation and excellence.
Finalists
Bosun's Restaurant at The Riverfront York
The Drovers Arms Restaurant & Country Pub
The Whippet Inn
The Best of York Award
Award sponsored by York St John University
This award recognises the very best that York has to offer, be it a business, a team or an individual.
Finalists
The Milner York
The Wizard Walk of York
The York Dungeon
York's Chocolate Story
International Tourism Award
Sponsorship opportunity available
This award recognises tourism businesses providing unforgettable visitor experiences for international visitors and attention to detail in all areas of the business.
Finalists
Hospitality Hero Award
The ‘Hospitality Hero’ award recognises the contributions of an individual who plays an integral role within a hospitality business, and the vital part they play within their team and in welcoming guests. Nominations are welcome from Visit York and Hospitality Association York (HAY) members.
Finalists announced soon