What a year it’s been! Throughout all the ups and downs, York has remained one of the very best places for families to live and visit. From incredible attractions to an amazing array of children’s classes, birthday parties and places to eat and drink, we’re spoiled for choice. This year’s Little Vikings Awards represents the very best of family-friendly York as voted for by the people who matter: the families themselves. More votes were cast this year than in any since we launched the awards back in 2016. A huge thank you to each and every one of you who took the time; it really does mean a lot to us and, more importantly, to those people and places that you wanted to shine a spotlight on. Thank you very much, too, to Bootham School for sponsoring this year’s awards. Here are this year’s winners in full – congratulations to them all!
Special Recognition Award
Christine Banham, Young Friends of Rowntree Park and forest school practitioner
BEST FAMILY ATTRACTIONS AROUND YORK
Best Family Attraction in York
National Railway Museum
Best Family Attraction (Yorkshire Coast)
Sea Life, Scarborough
Best Family Attraction (Yorkshire Dales)
Mother Shipton’s
Best Family Attraction (North York Moors)
Dalby Forest
Best Rainy Day Experience
The Web Adventure Park
Best Chocolate Experience
York’s Chocolate Story
Best Gory Experience
York Dungeon
Best Family Festival
Yorkshire Balloon Fiesta
Best Christmas Experience in York
Christmas at Castle Howard
Best magical experience
Northwood Trail
Best tour of York
City Cruises York river tour
BEST KIDS’ CLASSES IN YORK
Best baby/toddler swimming class
Waterbabies
Best swimming class (4+)
York Sport
Best active class
Clip’n’climb at York Leisure Centre
Best drama class
York Theatre Royal Youth Theatre
Best dance class
The Little Yorkshire Dance Academy
Best Pregnancy Class
Aquanatal with Puddle Ducks
Best Music Class
My Baby Can Dance
Best Creative Class
Story Craft Theatre
Best STEM class
Theatre of Science
Best holiday club or workshop
York City Football Club Foundation
BIRTHDAY PARTIES IN YORK
Best birthday party provider
Agility
Best birthday party entertainer
Just Josh (Josh Benson)
ENTERTAINMENT IN YORK
Best cinema
Vue
Best Theatre
York Theatre Royal
PLACES TO STAY IN & NEAR YORK
Best family-friendly accommodation
Middletons Hotel, York
Best family-friendly camping and glamping
Allerthorpe Lakeland Park
EATING OUT IN YORK WITH KIDS
Best Breakfast
The Pig & Pastry
Best lunch
The Balloon Tree
Best Sunday roast
The Dawnay Arms
Best ice cream
Trinacria
Best date night destination
Spark:York
CHILDCARE IN YORK
Best nursery
Little Green Rascals
