York Wizard on Top of the World!
York’s very own wandering wizard has scooped a prestigious global award, winning first place Best Family Attraction in The World in the TripAdvisor Best of the Best Awards 2025.
Locally-based husband and wife duo Dan and Bev Wood beat millions of attractions to the top spot, which is based on review data and feedback from spellbound visitors who have enjoyed this unique walking tour.
Dan, aka Phoenix the Red, says,
“We were over the moon to win third place back in 2023, but to climb to first place worldwide just two years later is absolutely mind-blowing! We’re so grateful to all the families who have booked for a magical experience like no other, and taken the time to leave such enchanting feedback after.”
The list of other winners includes Vila Encantada Dinosaur Park in Brazil (2nd place), an interactive pirate cruise in Florida (3rd place), a dolphin experience in South Carolina (4th place) and LEGOLAND California (5th place).
This has already been an exciting year for The Wizard Walk. The company won Best Tour for the third year running in the Little Vikings Awards for Kids, as well as Best Birthday Party Entertainer again.
At the Visit York Awards, they took Experience of the Year – after winning Best of York in 2024 – and went on to pick up silver nationally at the VisitEngland Awards in Brighton.
They also enlisted the help of new wizard tour guide Viridian the Green, allowing them to double the amount of tours with no cloning spell required.
The team also conjured up York’s very first WizardFest in May half-term, welcoming over six hundred families to the city over three days.
The event included over twenty local businesses and activities, as a celebration of all things magical for families. Highlights included extra tours, dragon meet-and-greets, LEGO workshops, bath-bomb making, themed food and drink and a parade through York.
Dan and Bev are already busily planning the next WizardFest for May 23-25 th 2026, and are looking for sponsors, activity providers, market traders and more. To get involved, send an ‘owl’ of enquiry to info@wizardwalkofyork.com
Recent additions to the tours include the ‘Sundaes and Dragons’ add-on, in which families can book to meet the Wizard’s pet dragon Ignis – or Iggy – and then enjoy a Dragon Sundae at Loopy Scoops on Church Street.
Wizard Wand Kits prove popular too, with a wooden wand to wave on the tour and instructions to learn seven magical tricks after.
When asked what the secret to their recent success is, Dan added;
“We set out to create something different and unique in York, and create unforgettable memories
through magic, fun and laughter. The Wizard Walk is packed with magical moments, special effects, jokes, prop comedy, slapstick, storytelling and even origami!”
And the magic doesn’t stop there, Dan has big plans for the future including increasing the size of his wizard team, adding even more tours to meet demand and creating an online video subscription service called The Wand and Quill Club.
Like a bubbling potion, he says his brain is always fizzing with new ideas and new partnerships with other businesses.
Families visiting York can book to experience this world-beating experience for themselves at www.wizardwalkofyork.com. Early booking is recommended though, before tickets…vanish!
