The Little Vikings Awards 2026 winners announced!
What better way to kick off the new year than celebrating the very best that York has to offer for families? Once again, you voted in your thousands (thank you!) and now we’re delighted to reveal the Little Vikings Awards winners 2026, sponsored by Indie York.
Now in its 11th year, the Little Vikings Awards is the only awards scheme to reward the very best of family-friendly York, from the best family-friendly attractions in York to the best days out, tours, birthday parties, classes and places to eat. We’ve long been convinced that York is the most family-friendly city in the UK, and if you take a look at the impressive list of finalists – and now our winners – you’ll see why.
Thanks to each and every one of you who took the time to nominate and vote for your favourites. As always, the winners represent YOUR best of family-friendly York, so if you seek out a winner during 2026, you’re following the recommendation of thousands of other parents. Why not make a New Year’s resolution to give them a try? Without further ado, here are this year’s winners of the Little Vikings Awards 2026. Congratulations to you all, and to all the finalists!
Huge thanks to this year’s headline sponsor, Indie York, and to our category sponsors: The York Proms, Stockeld Park, Mint Sauce Media, The Bloody Tour of York, Stonegate Medical Clinic, Yorkshire Foundry and Caramel Cottage The Bay Filey.
THE 2026 WINNERS
SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD – Sponsored by Stockeld Park
Katie Atkin at Dinky Groves Nursery for her never-ending commitment and enthusiasm for the children she looks after and her innovations with the outdoor classroom.
BEST FAMILY ATTRACTIONS IN YORK
BEST FAMILY ATTRACTION IN YORK
Piglets Adventure Farm
BEST FAMILY ATTRACTION (YORKSHIRE COAST)
The Deep
BEST FAMILY ATTRACTION (YORKSHIRE DALES)
Fountains Abbey
BEST FAMILY ATTRACTION (NORTH YORK MOORS)
Dalby Forest
BEST FAMILY EXPERIENCES IN YORK – Sponsored by The Bloody Tour of York
BEST RAINY DAY EXPERIENCE
National Railway Museum
BEST CHOCOLATE EXPERIENCE
York’s Chocolate Story
BEST SPOOKY EXPERIENCE
The York Dungeon
BEST FAMILY FESTIVAL
JORVIK Viking Festival
BEST CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE
Christmas at Castle Howard
BEST MAGICAL EXPERIENCE
Mother Shipton’s
BEST TOUR OF YORK
The Wizard Walk of York
BEST CLASSES FOR KIDS IN YORK
BEST BABY/TODDLER SWIMMING CLASS
Puddle Ducks
BEST SWIMMING CLASS (4+)
York Sport
BEST ACTIVE CLASS
Clip’n’climb at York Leisure Centre
BEST DRAMA CLASS
Creative Coliseum
BEST DANCE CLASS
York Stage School
BEST PREGNANCY CLASS
Puddle Ducks aquanatal
BEST MUSIC CLASS
York Stage School – Yorkie Puds
BEST CREATIVE CLASS
PQA York
BEST HOLIDAY CLUB OR CAMP
Camp QE
BEST ACTIVITY FOR 10 – 13 YEAR-OLDS
Lisa Marie Performing Arts
BEST BIRTHDAY PARTIES IN YORK FOR KIDS – Sponsored by Caramel Cottage, Filey
BEST BIRTHDAY PARTY PROVIDER
Rainbows Ceramics
BEST BIRTHDAY PARTY ENTERTAINER
The Wizard Walk of York
BEST FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT & CULTURE – Sponsored by York Proms
BEST CINEMA
Everyman York
BEST THEATRE
York Theatre Royal
BEST SHOP
Waterstones, York city centre
BEST INDEPENDENT BUSINESS
The Curious Coffee Company, Haxby
BEST PLACES TO STAY FOR FAMILIES – Sponsored by The Yorkshire Foundry
BEST FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATION
The Grand, York
BEST SELF-CATERING
Hollins Farm Lodge Holidays
BEST CAMPING AND GLAMPING
The Riverfront, York
BEST PLACES TO EAT AND DRINK IN YORK WITH KIDS – Sponsored by Mint Sauce Media
BEST BREAKFAST
The Balloon Tree
BEST LUNCH
Spark:York
BEST SUNDAY ROAST
The Balloon Tree
BEST ICE CREAM
Curlew Fields Dairies
BEST DATE NIGHT DESTINATION
Skosh
BEST STREET FOOD
Yuzu Street Food
BEST CAFE
Brew & Brownie
BEST NURSERY
Dinky Groves Nursery
BEST CHILDREN’S HEALTHCARE PROVIDER
Stonegate Medical Clinic
