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Christmas experience at Mother Shipton's Cave named best in Yorkshire

Tuesday, 24 March 2026 11:41

The award-winning Christmas experience at Mother Shipton's Cave.

Mother Shipton’s Cave has been named Best Christmas Experience at the 2026 Yorkshire Tots to Teens Awards.

The annual awards, sponsored by Discover Ilkley and Yorkshire Tutors, celebrate the best family-friendly businesses across Yorkshire, with winners chosen through public nominations and votes.

This marks the second year of the awards and a second consecutive win for Mother Shipton’s Cave, following last year’s recognition as Best Overall Attraction.

It was also ‘highly commended’ in this year’s Best Overall Attraction category.

Competing alongside outstanding attractions such as Whistlestop Valley and Murton Park, the team said it is “honoured to be recognised among such magical, festive experiences.”

Fiona Martin, owner of the attraction, said:

“What wonderful news to be named ‘Best Santa’s Grotto or Christmas Experience’!

“Our team behind the scenes transforms the site in a short space of time to create a truly magical Christmas experience, and Santa’s elves work tirelessly to make the event run smoothly.

“Seeing families’ faces light up makes every bit of effort worthwhile, and this award will put a big smile on Santa’s face!

“The site has magic running through its bones, and it’s wonderful to share even more of that enchantment at Christmas time.”

The award celebrates the site’s enchanting Christmas event, where families step into a festive wonderland. A

longside a personal visit with Father Christmas, children enjoy a variety of festive activities and explore the ancient Petrifying Well and the very cave where the 15th Century prophetess, Mother Shipton, is said to have been born.

Now in its seventh year, the experience continues to grow in popularity and was also recognised nationally in 2023 when it was named one of the Best Christmas Grottos to Meet Santa by The Telegraph.

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