Eco-friendly Northumberland hotel Battlesteads, near Wark, has been shortlisted in three categories of the North East England Tourism Awards 2020.

The hotel, restaurant and observatory will be competing in the categories of 'Small Hotel', 'Taste' and 'Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism' at the regional awards ceremony, which takes place on Tuesday 24 March.

Nearly 150 applications were received for this year’s awards, which are organised and delivered by NewcastleGateshead Initiative in partnership with the Northern Tourism Alliance.

The awards play a key role in highlighting the importance of tourism in the region, which continues to be the fourth largest sector in the North East economy.

Battlesteads' success in the shortlisting for these awards is thanks to a combination of its industry-leading sustainability credentials, championing of home grown and local produce and boosting year-round tourism in the region through its onsite Dark Sky Observatory.

General manager of Battlesteads, Katie Meyrick-Scott, said: "We are thrilled to have been shortlisted in three categories at the 2020 awards, especially as the three categories represent the key pillars of our business – warm and welcoming hospitality, delicious local food and drink and an inspiring eco-friendly experience. We are looking forward to celebrating with all of the other fantastic local businesses who have been shortlisted at the ceremony next year."

Sarah Stewart, chief executive at destination management and marketing organisation NewcastleGateshead Initiative, said: "Having launched the new look Tourism Awards for 2020, it's great to see the number and quality of applications that we have received. The refreshed format aligns the Awards more closely with the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence and gives a wider range of businesses a chance to be successful thanks to the new categories."

Our resident astronomers, astrophotographers & guests have been busy taking some great new photos at the Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory. Check out the Observatory Gallery to see what they have been up to. 

If you are interested in astrophotography why not check out one of our upcoming astrophotography events.

Northumberland hotel and restaurant Battlesteads, near Wark, is Brexit-proofing its new eight-course tasting menu, with a focus on home-grown produce and UK seasonality.

To ensure the availability of all dishes on the hotel’s tasting menu, which aims to offer guests a true taste of Northumberland, Battlesteads has specifically designed the new autumn/winter menu to have no reliance on ingredients or products from the EU, in case a ‘no deal’ scenario results in food and drink shortages.

The award-winning eco hotel grows much of the green vegetables, salads and herbs on the menu in its onsite gardens and polytunnels. Last year Battlesteads also introduced a temperature and humidity-controlled mushroom farm to grow oyster and shitake mushrooms all year round, and head chef Eddie Shilton also home-smokes meats, fish and cheese sourced locally.

Dishes on the new menu include a selection of in-house produced charcuterie, including Wark forest ham, saucisson sec, smoked duck, smoked brie and speck, with pickled courgettes from the garden; semi freddo and carpaccio of beetroot, with micro-herbs grown under LED lights; home-smoked salmon with lemon jelly; duck breast with savoury granola, black pudding 'prune', charred cauliflower floret and cassis jelly; a regularly changing dessert and Northumbrian cheeseboard.

The menu can also be accompanied by a flight of wines, sourced from outside the EU, and finishing with Battlesteads owner Dee Slade’s homegrown and homemade sloe gin.

Head chef at Battlesteads, Eddie Shilton, said: "Our focus has always been on showcasing the very best local and home-grown produce, and our tasting menu offers the perfect opportunity to show diners just how fantastic seasonal UK food can be. Our gardening team, grows an amazing range of vegetables, herbs and fruit, and we are lucky to have some of the best producers in the country right here on our doorstep. UK-wide, 28% of what we eat comes from the EU, but our tasting menu is a true taste of Northumberland that won’t be impacted by Brexit or our relationship with Europe."

Northumberland hotel and restaurant Battlesteads, near Wark, has been awarded one of the highest accolades in UK hospitality – the Sustainable Business Award at The Cateys 2019.

The Cateys, now in their 36^th year, recognise the most talented individuals, biggest brands and strongest performers in the hospitality industry. Chosen by a panel of highly-respected industry judges, the awards are the pinnacle of success in the hospitality industry.

Battlesteads received the coveted award for sustainability at a glittering awards ceremony on Tuesday 2 July, held at London's Grosvenor House, a JW Marriott hotel.

The hotel, restaurant and observatory has become famous for its eco-friendly initiatives, including achieving a carbon footprint six times lower than the industry average and championing local producers in Northumberland.

Battlesteads' sustainable tourism offering also includes a Dark Sky Observatory, with some of the clearest night skies in the country perfect for stargazing; five modern eco-lodges and a restaurant serving ingredients fresh from the hotel’s kitchen gardens and polytunnels. The hotel has previously been recognised for its sustainability by the Good Hotel Guide, the AA, and at the Visit England Awards for Excellence.

Owners of Battlesteads Hotel & Restaurant, Richard and Dee Slade, said: "The Cateys really are considered 'the Oscars of hospitality', so to win this award, going up against such strong competition from across the country, is an outstanding achievement for us. Our goal has always been to show that being sustainable doesn’t have to mean sacrificing guest experience, and this award gives us a platform to share our ethos and expertise with the wider industry, driving forward innovation and putting Northumberland on the map for eco-tourism."

Read the Cateys Statement

Award-winning Wark hotel and restaurant Battlesteads is getting ready to welcome beer lovers from across the North East, for the 9th annual Battlesteads Beer Festival.

The four-day celebration will take place from Thursday 25^th to Sunday 28^th July, combining live entertainment and great food with the very best of both British and international beers, lagers and ales.

As well as over 20 varieties of beers on offer, the popular gin bar and Prosecco tent will also be returning, offering refreshing summer tipples as an alternative to the ales.

Entertainment this year will include live music performances from some of the region’s best-loved bands, including Big Red and the Grinners, Mudskipper, Jason Arnup and Alive and Kicking.

Katie Meyrick-Scott, general manager of Battlesteads, said: "The beer festival is without a doubt one of the highlights of the year for us and we love welcoming guests from across Northumberland and further afield for a fantastic weekend of entertainment. The atmosphere is always brilliant with hundreds of visitors over the four days, and of course we will once again be raising money for the Great North Air Ambulance which is an extremely worthy cause."

Admission to the beer festival is free on Thursday (6pm-11pm) and Sunday (12pm until the beer runs out). On Friday (6pm – 11pm) and Saturday (12pm – 11pm) tickets are £4, with all proceeds going to the Great North Air Ambulance. A free transport service from Hexham is also available on Friday and Saturday.

Northumberland hotel and restaurant Battlesteads, near Wark, has been shortlisted for what is widely considered the Oscars of the hospitality industry – the Cateys 2019.

Battlesteads has been shortlisted for the Sustainable Business Award and will be going up against the best of British hospitality at the awards ceremony, held on 2 July at London's Grosvenor House, a JW Marriott hotel.

The Cateys, now in their 36th year, recognise the most talented individuals, biggest brands and strongest performers in the hospitality industry. The shortlist was chosen by a panel of industry judges selected for their expertise and industry knowledge, making the Cateys the ultimate accolade in peer group recognition.

Owner of Battlesteads Hotel & Restaurant, Richard Slade, said: "The Cateys represent the best of the best in the hospitality industry, so I am absolutely thrilled that Battlesteads has been shortlisted this year. Over the past 10 years we have been striving to be the most sustainable hotel in the country, as well as championing tourism in Northumberland, and it feels fantastic to be recognised for this by the judges. We’ll be keeping our fingers crossed for the ceremony in July, and hoping we bring back the trophy!"

Battlesteads Hotel offers a sustainable tourism experience combining a warm Northumberland welcome, accommodation including five eco-lodges, a restaurant showcasing the best local produce and home-grown ingredients, and a Dark Sky Observatory where visitors can discover the magic of the night skies.

The hotel has previously been recognised for its sustainability by the Good Hotel Guide, the AA, and at the Visit England Awards for Excellence.