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."

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

Battlesteads Hotel & Restaurant in Wark, Northumberland, is celebrating after being named Hotel of the Year at the 2017 North East England Tourism Awards.

Held at The Boiler Shop in Newcastle on Thursday 16 November, the North East England Tourism Awards celebrate the very best tourism businesses in the region.

Sustainable hotel, restaurant and observatory Battlesteads, which was also shortlisted in the Best Small Attraction and Dog Friendly Business Categories, will now go on to represent the North East at the Visit England Awards for Excellence in 2018.

Katie Meyrick-Scott, general manager of Battlesteads Hotel and Restaurant, said: "We are thrilled to be named Hotel of the Year, in a category where we were up against three other really fantastic businesses. Battlesteads is a proud champion of the tourism industry in the North East, and we are looking forward to representing the region at the national Visit England Awards for Excellence."

The North East England Tourism Awards are organised and delivered by the NewcastleGateshead Initiative in partnership with the Northern Tourism Alliance. The winner of each category is automatically entered into the annual VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, which will take place in April 2018.

Sarah Stewart, chief executive at destination management and marketing organisation NewcastleGateshead Initiative, said: “Huge congratulations to all of tonight’s winners. It's been another brilliant year for entries and we received a high standard of entrants across all categories.

"The tourism sector in the North East of England continues to thrive, from our buzzing city centres to our beautiful coastline and varied countryside. Next year promises to be another exciting one for the region as we welcome the Great Exhibition of the North which will have a major impact on our visitor, and wider, economy."

More information about the awards can be found at www.newcastlegateshead.com/tourism-awards.

One of the highlights of the year for beer lovers across the North East, the Battlesteads Beer Festival, is set to return for the 7th year in July 2017.

The four-day celebration in Wark, Northumberland, will run from Thursday 20 – Sunday 23 July and will feature more than 20 beers, ciders and foreign lagers to try.

Hosted by Battlesteads Hotel & Restaurant, the festival has been growing year on year, attracting hundreds of attendees looking to try a wide selection of beers from across the world from straw-coloured pale ales and ruby-red beers to fruity ciders and characterful bitters that pack a punch.

Entertainment will be provided with live music from The Stax Brothers, The Mudskippers, Alive and Kicking and The Happycats, while last year’s popular gin bar will be returning alongside a brand-new Prosecco bar.

Katie Meyrick-Scott, general manager of Battlesteads, said: "Over the past six years our beer festival has gone from strength to strength, attracting more people every year. The introduction of our speciality gin bar last year proved popular with guests wanting to try something different, so this year we’ve added another exciting option with the new Prosecco bar set to bring some added sparkle to the weekend. The Battlesteads Beer Festival is a real community event that brings everyone together, and we can’t wait to welcome even more guests this year."

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

Multi award-winning hotel and restaurant Battlesteads, in Wark, has scooped another prestigious accolade at the National CSR Awards 2017.

The Northumberland hotel was named ‘Clean and Green’ winner at the awards ceremony on Thursday 18 May, held at Lord’s Cricket Ground.

This latest award adds to a long list of honours received by Battlesteads for its industry-leading sustainability and green initiatives, including being named Sustainable Tourism Business category at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2017 last month.

Speaking after the ceremony, general manager of Battlesteads Katie Meyrick-Scott said: "We are delighted to win another fantastic award that celebrates our commitment to sustainability and the hard work the whole team here puts into running a successful business. Hopefully seeing what we have achieved will inspire more hotels and tourism businesses to improve their sustainability and introduce more eco-friendly initiatives."

Karen Sutton, CEO and founder of the awards said: "The standard of entries this year has been incredible and some categories were particularly hard fought. Every year just gets better and better. It’s a privilege and a pleasure to reward such fantastic achievements."

Other awards Battlesteads has won for its commitment to sustainability include the Hotel Catey Award for Best Sustainable Hotel, the AA Hospitality Award for Eco Hotel of the Year, the People.Energy.Action award for eco-friendly travel business and the Good Hotel Guide Editor’s Choice Award for Best Green Hotel.

Battlesteads Hotel & Restaurant in Wark, Northumberland, is one of the three finalists to be shortlisted for the Sustainable Tourism Award at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2017.

Battlesteads was named the winner of the three categories at the North East England Tourism Awards in November 2016 – Sustainable Tourism, Tourism Pub and Taste – and was subsequently put forward along with the winners from all of the other UK regions to the VisitEngland judging panel.

The eco hotel’s outstanding green credentials shone through, and it will now go up against the Blencathra Centre in Keswick and the National Marine Aquarium in Devon at the final of the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, with the winner announced at a ceremony on 24 April.

Katie Meyrick-Scott, general manager of Battlesteads Hotel and Restaurant, said: “Winning three golds at the North East Tourism Awards was a fantastic achievement, but to reach the final three of the national awards in the sustainability category is amazing news. Over the past 10 years we’ve worked hard to create a sustainable tourism experience that provides inspiration to both our guests and the rest of the hospitality industry, and it’s fantastic to see that rewarded with the recognition from VisitEngland.”

In 2016 Battlesteads won numerous industry awards for its commitment to sustainability, including the Hotel Catey Award for Best Sustainable Hotel, the AA Hospitality Award for Eco Hotel of the Year, the People.Energy.Action award for eco-friendly travel business and the Good Hotel Guide Editor’s Choice Award for Best Green Hotel.