The Little Vikings Awards 2023 winners announced!

What better way to kick off the new year than celebrating the very best that York has to offer for families? You voted in your thousands – we had more votes than ever before – and now we’re delighted to reveal the winners of the Little Vikings Awards 2023, sponsored by Bootham School.

Now in its eighth 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 2023, 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 at this year’s winners of the Little Vikings Awards 2023. Congratulations to you all, and to all the finalists!

Huge thanks to this year’s headline sponsor, Bootham School, and to each of our category sponsors: Middletons Hotel, Eden Camp, North Yorkshire Moors Railway, En Pointe, York Leisure Centre, The Mount School, Queen Ethelburga’s and Yorkshire Air Museum.

THE 2023 WINNERS

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD

Louise Mouncey from Shine21 – ‘Louise has set up a ‘well needed’ charity to support parents and children who have Down Syndrome. She has worked tirelessly to help others’

BEST ATTRACTIONS – Sponsored by Middletons Hotel

BEST FAMILY ATTRACTION IN YORK

Piglets Adventure Farm

BEST FAMILY ATTRACTION (YORKSHIRE COAST)

Sewerby Hall

BEST FAMILY ATTRACTION (YORKSHIRE DALES)

Mother Shipton’s

BEST FAMILY ATTRACTION (NORTH YORK MOORS)

Dalby Forest

BEST EXPERIENCES – Sponsored by York Leisure Centre

BEST RAINY DAY EXPERIENCE

National Railway Museum

BEST CHOCOLATE EXPERIENCE

York’s Chocolate Story

BEST SPOOKY EXPERIENCE

York Dungeon walking tours

BEST FAMILY FESTIVAL

JORVIK Viking Festival

BEST CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE

Castle Howard

BEST MAGICAL EXPERIENCE

The Hole in Wand

BEST TOUR OF YORK

The Wizard Walk of York

BEST CLASSES FOR KIDS IN YORK – Sponsored by Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate

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

York Stage School

BEST DANCE CLASS

Yorkshire Rose Academy of Dance

BEST PREGNANCY CLASS

Puddle Ducks aquanatal

BEST MUSIC CLASS

My Baby Can Dance York

BEST CREATIVE CLASS

Wild Things Forest School

BEST HOLIDAY CLUB OR CAMP

York City Football Club Foundation

BIRTHDAY PARTIES – Sponsored by Eden Camp

BEST BIRTHDAY PARTY PROVIDER

The Web Adventure Park

BEST BIRTHDAY PARTY ENTERTAINER

Janet & Cassie, Story Craft Theatre

ENTERTAINMENT – Sponsored by the North Yorkshire Moors Railway

BEST CINEMA

Vue

BEST THEATRE

York Theatre Royal

PLACES TO STAY – Sponsored by Yorkshire Air Museum

BEST FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATION

Middletons Hotel York

BEST CAMPING/GLAMPING

Humblebee Farm

EATING OUT – Sponsored by The Mount School

BEST BREAKFAST

The Balloon Tree

BEST LUNCH

Spark:York

BEST SUNDAY ROAST

The Restaurant at No.1 York by Guest House

BEST ICE CREAM

Roberto Authentic Italian Gelato

BEST DATE NIGHT DESTINATION

Ambiente

BEST STREET FOOD

Shambles Kitchen

BEST CAFE

Laughing Llama, Acomb

CHILDCARE

BEST NURSERY

Muddy Boots