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.

Battlesteads Hotel & Restaurant in Wark, Northumberland, has been named the Gold award winner in the Sustainable Tourism Business category at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2017.

One of the UK’s leading eco hotels, Battlesteads’ sustainable credentials have seen them go from winning the North East England Sustainable Tourism Award in November 2016, through to being shortlisted by the national judges to compete against the Blencathra Centre in Keswick and the National Marine Aquarium in Devon, to win the coveted Gold accolade.

Owners of Battlesteads Hotel, Richard and Dee Slade, collected the award at a ceremony held in London on Monday 24 April.

Speaking after the ceremony, Richard Slade said: “We have won almost every leading hotel industry award for sustainability, as well as several North East Tourism awards, but to win the national Visit England Award for Excellence really is the icing on the cake. We are extremely proud of everything we have achieved and we hope to inspire more hotels and tourism businesses to improve their sustainability and introduce more eco-friendly initiatives.”

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.

VisitEngland chief executive Sally Balcombe added: “This year’s awards were fiercely contested and we had some terrific applications, showcasing not only the excellence on offer within English tourism but also the outstanding innovation and the sheer diversity of experiences throughout the country. From afternoon tea in a railway carriage to ‘Alice in Wonderland’ boutique hotel rooms, from great family friendly animal attractions to cottages for one, all well deserved the recognition of their quality and service.”

More information about the awards can be found at www.visitenglandawards.org

Join us for an odds on winning day of fizz, fillies and fabulous food at Battlesteads to celebrate Ascot Ladies Day on Thursday 16 June. Enjoy all the action of Royal Ascot from the comfort of the bar and restaurant as we bring the thrill of this exciting event to Northumberland. It’s the perfect excuse to get together with friends, dress to impress and don that statement hat.

Ascot Ladies Day at Battlesteads costs £20 per person and includes:
Glass of fizz on arrival Summer buffet lunch Selection of desserts Bar side Tote
So pick your winners and head over for starters orders from 12.30pm

Plus free entry to the Battlesteads ‘Best in Show’ competition for the best hat or fascinator worn. Your chance to win dinner for two on us worth £55.00. Winner will be announced after the last race of the day. The stakes are high for a fun day out.

To reserve your trackside place email info@battlesteads.com or call 01434 230209

Thursday 21st July to Sunday 24th July
Over 20 beers, ciders and foreign lagers to try

NEW FOR 2016 GIN BAR
Selection of 8 fabulous gins

Bands include:
Friday 22nd The Stax Brothers
Saturday 23rd (afternoon) The Mudskippers
Saturday 23rd (evening) Alive and Kicking

Admission
Thursday evening 6pm until 11pm FREE
Friday and Saturday 12noon until 11pm £4
CAMRA members £3
Sunday afternoon 12 noon until the beer runs out FREE

24th to 26th July 2015

5th Beer Festival with great beers, lager, ciders, food and live music throughout the weekend, bands noted below:

Friday 24th – Miss Mary and The Mr Rights

Saturday 25th (afternoon) – The Mudskippers

Saturday 25th (evening) – Alive and Kicking

18th June 2015

We are bringing Ascot Ladies Day to Battlesteads

Lunch and glass of fizz on arrival £20/person