Last night (14 March), the winners of the Visit York Tourism Awards 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 17 awards.
Hosted by Chris Marsden and Claire Pulpher at YO1 Radio, the awards will then see eligible winners across a number of categories automatically put forward for the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2024.
This year’s winners include The Grand York, who take Large Hotel of the Year with judges commenting on the ‘exceptionally high standards’ of luxury across the hotel and their ability to create ‘memorable and enjoyable moments for guests’. Small Hotel of the Year then went to The Pheasant Hotel, for their ‘luxurious’ rooms and dinner menu of ‘excellent quality.’
Elsewhere in accommodation, MonkBridge House took the award for B&B and Guest House of the Year, with judges commenting on their ‘clear passion for their business’ which has led to ‘excellent customer service’ for visitors. Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year was awarded to 101 House At The End, with judges saying how the business ‘operates with huge care and attention to detail.’
Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year was awarded to High Oaks Grange, with Judges praising the overall atmosphere of the site and saying ‘Nick and his team can be proud of what they have achieved.’
Pub of the Year was awarded to The Lime Tree Inn, which was praised for being ‘in a lovely setting, very relaxing and beautifully furnished.’
Legacy at The Grand was the winner of the Taste of England Award, with judges describing the restaurant as ‘consistently outstanding’ with a team that had ‘excellent knowledge of the food and drink.’
This year’s Large Visitor Attraction of the Year went to The York Dungeon, with judges commenting to say the ‘actors were superb’ and it was ‘one of the best attractions I’ve ever visited’. The Small Attraction of the Year winner was World of James Herriot, with judges praising how the team can be ‘proud of how unbelievably clean, pristine and well-presented it is throughout.’
New to this year, the Wizard Walk of York has taken both the New Tourism Business Award and The Best of York Award, with judges calling the tour ‘pure feel-good' and commenting that they ‘haven’t smiled and laughed continually so much in ages.
Experience of the Year was awarded to The Deathly Dark Tours, with judges commenting that there was ‘no room for improvement’ and the overall ‘experience was fantastic.’ The Deathly Dark Tours also went on to win Independent Business of the Year, as judges ‘loved the approach’ and the ‘entertaining features that also inform and educate’.
The Potions Cauldron took Retailer of the Year, with judges praising their ‘excellent growth’ and ‘impressive’ performance.
Business Event Venue of the Year was won by The Guildhall, York with judges commenting that the ‘ambience of the building is excellent’ and it ‘provides business event delegates with a calming feelings in high-quality surroundings.
Christmas at Castle Howard was awarded the Event, Festival or Cultural Experience of the Year award with judges calling it ‘an opulent and magical event in a stunning setting.’
New to this year in partnership with the Hospitality Association York (HAY), the Hospitality Hero award was won by Indra Petersone from Hilton, York.
Sarah Loftus, Managing Director at Make It York, said: “A huge congratulations to our thoroughly deserving winners and finalists at this year’s Visit York Tourism Awards. Every business and organisation nominated tonight have helped establish York as the incredible, award-winning, world-class city that we’re recognised to be. The Visit York Tourism Awards really do celebrate the best in tourism, hospitality and culture, congratulations to everyone involved.”
David Horne, Managing Director at LNER, said: “Congratulations to the winners at this year’s Visit York Tourism Awards and those who were shortlisted. York has a huge amount to offer visitors and continues to be one of the most popular destinations on the LNER route. We’re therefore very proud to continue to support the awards which shine a spotlight on the individuals and businesses that work tirelessly to make the city a brilliant place to visit.”
Adam Wardale, Chair of Hospitality Association York says: “What a night! We we’re delighted to see so many incredible businesses being celebrated, we’re incredibly proud to be part of a city providing such amazing experiences. A special mention to the winner of our Hospitality Hero Award, Indra, and to our highly commended finalist Julia – who seamlessly demonstrate everything our industry represents! On behalf of all of my HAY colleagues, huge congratulations to all winners and businesses.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Winners of Visit York Tourism Awards 2024: (*in alphabetical order)
Business Event Venue of the Year, sponsored by Business Enterprise Fund
Winner: The Guildhall, York
Finalists: The Guildhall York, and City Cruises
B&B and GuestHouse of the Year, sponsored by The York Roast Co.
Winner: MonkBridge House
Finalists: MonkBridge House, The Bar Convent Guest House, The Fat Badger, York
Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year, sponsored by Morrell Middleton
Winner: High Oaks Grange
Finalists: Flaxton Meadows, Wigwam Holidays Ball Hall Farm, High Oaks Grange
Event, Festival or Cultural Experience of the Year, sponsored by North York Moors National Park
Winner: Christmas at Castle Howard
Finalists: Christmas at Castle Howard, Hallow Scream at York Maze, York Pride, York Mansion House
Experience of the Year, sponsored by LNER
Winner: The Deathly Dark Tours
Finalists: Sharmini’s Inspirational Indian Cuisine, The Bloody Tour of York, The Deathly Dark Tours, The Wizard Walk of York
Independent Business of the Year, sponsored by Latimer by Clarion Housing Group
Winner: The Deathly Dark Tours
Finalists: Avorium, The Deathly Dark Tours, The Wizard Walk of York, Breezy Knees Gardens
Large Hotel of the Year, sponsored by Streamline Taxis
Winner: The Grand
Highly Commended: Middletons Hotel
Finalists: Middletons Hotel, Moxy York, The Grand
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year, sponsored by Ward Hadaway
Winner: The York Dungeon
Finalists: The York Dungeon, National Railway Museum, The Web Adventure Park, Yorkshire Air Museum
New Tourism Business Award, sponsored by PPS Essentials
Winner: Wizard Walk of York
Highly Commended: Hart Lake Escapes
Finalists: Hart Lake Escapes, The Wizard Walk of York, Hocus Pocus Tiny Hotel
Pub of the Year, sponsored by Hunter Gee Holroyd
Winner: The Lime Tree Inn
Finalists: The Lime Tree Inn, The Fat Badger York, Social 8 Lounge, the Drovers Arms Restaurant and Country Pub
Retailer of the Year, sponsored by York BID
Winner: The Potions Cauldron
Finalists: York Gin, Love Cheese, The Potions Cauldron
Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year, sponsored by Pyper
Winner: 101 House at the End
Finalists: Roomzzz Aparthotel York, 101 House at the End
Small Hotel of the Year, sponsored by Booking.com
Winner: The Pheasant Hotel
Finalists: The Pheasant Hotel, Clementine’s Town house, Hocus Pocus Tiny Hotel
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year, sponsored by Shambles Market
Winner: World of James Herriot
Finalists: The Bar Convent Heritage Centre, World of James Herriot, The Hole in Wand, York Army Museum
Taste of England Award, sponsored by Fowlers of York
Winner: Legacy at The Grand
Finalists: Legacy at The Grand, Fish & Forest, Ate O’Clock
The Best of York Award, sponsored by York St John University
Winner: The Wizard Walk of York
Finalists: The Wizard Walk of York, Millers Fish & Chips, The Bloody Tour of York
Hospitality Hero Award, in partnership with Hospitality Association York (HAY)
Winner: Indra Petersone from Hilton York
Highly Commended: Julia Betteridge from Middlethorpe Hall & Spa
Finalists: Hannah Mather from The Principal York, Indra Petersone from Hilton York, Julia Betteridge from Middlethorpe Hall & Spa, Sean Alton from York Dungeon
Find out more about the Visit York Tourism Awards 2024 at visityork.org/tourismawards
For more information, please contact:
Communications Team at Make It York
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