Due to the latest Government Guidelines placing Battlesteads within the highest tier, Tier 3, we are extending our closure to align with the latest rules.

Although we are upset not to be able to welcome our fabulous guests back soon, we understand the importance of supporting the health and wellbeing of the nation.

We want to thank you for your patience at this time, and if you have an upcoming reservation with us between 2nd to 14th December 2020, we will be in touch as soon as we can.

A big thanks to all of our guests, staff and the wider community for their continued support.

From all the team, best wishes, stay safe and we hope to welcome you back soon!

Dear valued guests

Following last night’s Government update, and in line with the new lockdown restrictions for England, we will once again be closing the doors here at Battlesteads from 10pm on Wednesday 4th November.

This full closure will include the hotel, restaurants and observatory and any events which were scheduled to take place during the lockdown period.

The safety of my team members and my guests has remained my number one priority throughout this whole pandemic and, whilst I am deeply saddened by last night’s news, we must all do our bit to help try and reduce the impact of this awful virus.

We are hoping to reopen from Wednesday 2nd December, in line with the Government advice and guidance.

If you have a reservation that will be affected by the new lockdown, our team will be in touch with you as soon as possible and we will continue to operate a small reservations team throughout the lockdown period.

Please note we are currently experiencing a very high number of calls and emails and priority will be placed on guests arriving from 4^th November to 1st December.

I would like to thank you all for your continued support and understanding throughout this challenging time. Myself and the team look forward to welcoming you back when we are able to reopen.

Please stay safe and take care.

With kind regards

Katie Meyrick-Scott

General Manager

Dear Guests and Customers

We hope that you have managed to stay safe and well during this extremely testing period.

There is no doubt that, over the last three months, the world has changed; as we all adapt to the new “norm”, we has been working behind the scenes in preparation for this new approach to life.

As you’re aware, we closed on Sunday 22nd March in line with the Government directive, to ensure the safety of our guests, our suppliers and our team.

During the lockdown period, we have been looking after the gardens, making improvements and planting our vegetables in readiness of inclusion on the menu.

We have also had some wonderful engagement with our #talesofbattlesteads social media campaign, which has allowed everyone to share memories of all of those special occasions at the hotel over the past months and years.

Following the latest government announcement on 23rd June 2020. We are delighted to confirm our re-opening on 4th July 2020.

Our team is hugely excited to welcome you from Saturday 4th July, we are pleased to announce that our reservations system is now open online and ready to take your bookings for overnight stays, short breaks and dinners.

On behalf of the team, I would like to thank you for all the messages of support and for your patience during this challenging time.  We are looking forward very much to welcoming you back in the very near future.

With my best personal wishes,

Katie Meyrick-Scott

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.

We are delighted to have been shortlisted in a fantastic five categories of this year’s North East England Tourism Awards.

Our hotel, restaurant and observatory is a finalist in more categories than any other business, being up for Hotel of the Year, Tourism Pub, Sustainable Tourism, Dog Friendly Business and the Taste Award.

The North East England Tourism Awards showcase the range of high quality tourism businesses and experiences on offer to visitors to the region. Winners of the awards, to be announced on 22 November, will go forward to represent the North East at the annual VisitEngland Awards for Excellence in 2017.

Katie, General Manager, said: “On behalf of all the team at Battlesteads, we are delighted to have been shortlisted in five categories for this year’s North East England Tourism Awards. The North East is home to so many fantastic tourism and hospitality businesses and so it is an honour to be recognised by the leading tourism awards in the region. We are looking forward to celebrating with all of the other shortlisted businesses at the awards ceremony.”

The North East England Tourism Awards are organised and delivered by NewcastleGateshead Initiative in partnership with the Northern Tourism Alliance.

Sarah Stewart, Chief Executive at destination management and marketing organisation NewcastleGateshead Initiative, said “It’s fantastic to have another record breaking year for entries and I’m delighted to see so many new businesses enter the awards.

“The tourism sector continues to thrive as the quality and variety of tourism businesses in the North East of England maintain such a high standard. I’m always impressed to see the outstanding work the finalists have delivered and I look forward to celebrating their achievements with them at the awards ceremony in November.”

More information about the awards can be found at www.NorthEastTourismAwards.com.