Visit York Tourism Award winners have achieved national recognition at the prestigious VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, following their success earlier this year at the Visit York Tourism Awards.
The annual awards celebrate the very best of England’s tourism industry, recognising businesses that demonstrate excellence in quality, innovation, customer service and visitor experience.
MonkBridge House wins the Gold Award for B&B and Guest House of the Year.
MonkBridge House is an independent family-run guest house overlooking the River Foss, located within a short distance of York city centre. It’s known for its warm hospitality and commitment to sustainable tourism.
Paul Hemsley owner of MonkBridge House said:
“We were delighted to be shortlisted for VisitEngland’s national award. We gave up corporate life in London six years ago to take over our business in York, and it’s the best move we could have made. York is one of the finest, most welcoming and historic cities in the UK and close to both the Dales, Moors national parks and the coast.
We are blessed with fantastic local produce to make breakfast and it is a delight to welcome new and returning guests from around the world. When refurbishing the property, we have embraced a green approach but in everything we do, our focus is on giving our guests the best possible experience.”
As well as its win for Small Serviced Accommodation Provider of the Year at the Visit York Tourism Awards, it also won the Regenerative Tourism Award. This latest accolade follows previous national success at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence in 2024, when the business won the silver award for B&B and Guest House of the Year.
The Wizard Walk of York wins the Silver Award for Experience of the Year.
The Wizard Walk of York combines magic, comedy and York’s rich history, the family-friendly walking tour has become one of the city’s most popular visitor experiences for families.
It has added another national accolade to its growing list of achievements, having now achieved success at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence for three consecutive years.
Owner Daniel Wood aka Phoenix the Red said:
“We are simply spellbound to be VisitEngland finalists once again. We’re a small family business with big ideas, and love bringing magic, wonder and laughter to the streets of our enchanting city.
The Wizard Walk welcomes wand-erers from all over the world, and we specialise in creating unforgettable family memories on a unique walking tour like no other. The world needs more magic, and that’s exactly what we offer and deliver!”
In addition to winning Experience of the Year, the walking tour also won the Independent Business of the Year at the Visit York Tourism Awards, as well as being named a finalist in two further categories.
Castle Howard wins the Silver Award for International Tourism Award.
Castle Howard is one of Britain’s most celebrated historic houses and gardens, situated just outside York in the Howardian Hills National Landscape in North Yorkshire.
Abbigail Ollive, Visitor Attraction Director at Castle Howard said:
“We are incredibly proud to be recognised at the VisitEngland Awards and to be named alongside some of the UK’s leading visitor attractions. A genuine Yorkshire welcome is central to the Castle Howard experience, and we place great importance on ensuring our international visitors feel valued from the moment they arrive.
Through initiatives ranging from cultural awareness training and bespoke guided tours to travel-inclusive ticket packages and tailored visitor services, our team is committed to delivering an outstanding and memorable experience for guests from across the globe.”
Alongside its International Tourism Award win at the Visit York Tourism Awards, its popular Christmas at Castle Howard won Event, Festival or Cultural Experience of the Year (a joint win with York Proms). The attraction was also highly commended in the Large Visitor Attraction of the Year category.
Sarah Loftus, Managing Director at Make It York, said:
“Congratulations to all three businesses on this fantastic national recognition! We’re delighted to celebrate with these members whose passion and commitment help make York such a vibrant and welcoming destination.
Their success reflects the exceptional quality that continues to strengthen York’s reputation as a world-class destination and and reinforces our city’s standing on the national and international stage.”
Celebrating excellence in York’s visitor economy
The VisitEngland Awards for Excellence ceremony took place on 3 June at Aerospace Bristol.
Eligible winners across 12 of the 17 categories from the Visit York Tourism Awards 2026 are automatically put forward for the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2026 for recognition on a national stage.
Now in their 36th year, the event brought together finalists from 21 local and regional competitions, all competing for Gold, Silver and Bronze awards across 16 core categories. These span the breadth of the visitor economy, from accommodation and attractions to accessibility and innovation, alongside special recognitions such as the Travel Content Award and Tourism Superstar Award.
Delivered as part of Visit York’s ongoing commitment to championing excellence across the city’s tourism sector, the Visit York Tourism Awards play a vital role in elevating local businesses to the national stage. By supporting and showcasing York’s leading visitor experiences, the awards programme helps strengthen the city’s reputation as a high-quality, world-class destination.
This national recognition for York’s businesses not only celebrates individual achievement but also reinforces the strength and diversity of the city’s wider visitor economy.
Further details on the Visit York Tourism Awards 2027, sponsored by LNER, including application dates and entry information, will be announced shortly.
