We are now celebrating after winning a record three Gold awards at the 2016 North East Tourism Awards.

We achieved the Gold Awards for Sustainable Tourism, Tourism Pub and the Taste Award, as well as winning a Bronze in the Hotel of the Year category and a Highly Commended Award for Dog Friendly Business. 

This is the first time in the history of the awards that a business has won three Gold Awards in the same year. 

Katie Meyrick-Scott, general manager of Battlesteads Hotel and Restaurant, said: “We are absolutely over the moon to have won not just one but three North East Tourism Gold Awards. To also receive Bronze and Highly Commended awards in two further categories is a huge achievement for us and is fantastic recognition for the hard work of all the team. We’re now looking forward to representing the North East at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence in 2017”.

Organised and delivered by the NewcastleGateshead Initiative in partnership with the Northern Tourism Alliance, the North East England Tourism Awards showcase the high quality tourism businesses and experiences on offer to visitors to the region. The winner of each category is automatically entered into the annual VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, which will take place in April 2017.

Sarah Stewart, Chief Executive at destination management and marketing organisation NewcastleGateshead Initiative, said “A huge congratulations to Battlesteads Hotel & Restaurant for winning three golds at this year’s North East England Tourism Awards. As always the businesses shortlisted were of an extremely high standard so to not only win one gold award but three is a great achievement. The North East of England has a fantastic tourism offer, and Battlesteads Hotel & Restaurant are one of many businesses playing a key role in welcoming visitors to the region.”

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

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.

Battlesteads Hotel and Restaurant in Wark, near Hexham, has been named the Best Pub in the North East at the National Pub & Bar Awards.

The accolade was presented to Battlesteads at an awards ceremony on Tuesday 24 May, held at London’s BAFTA theatre. The sustainable hotel and restaurant was previously chosen as the county winner for Northumberland by a judging panel from leading industry magazine Pub & Bar, before being voted as the best in the region.

Entrants to the awards were judged on all aspects of pub hospitality, from perfect service and product range to aesthetic design and entertainment. Battlesteads was chosen for its friendly, welcoming and knowledgeable staff, wide range of local and national cask ales, well-travelled list of sustainable and biodynamic wines and fantastic food featuring home-grown ingredients and locally sourced produce.

Battlesteads beat tough competition from across Northumberland, Durham and Tyne and Wear to walk away with the title of Best Pub in the North East. The award was presented by one of the UK’s leading food and restaurant critics and journalist for The Observer, Jay Rayner.

Speaking after the awards ceremony, owner of Battlesteads Richard Slade said: “When we found out we had been chosen as the county winner for Northumberland, we were absolutely delighted. To then go on to be named the best pub in whole of the North East is a great honour and the whole team is celebrating this fantastic achievement. We are proud to be flying the flag for all of the other brilliant pubs in the North East and we’d like to thank the judges for choosing us as the winner.”

Tristan O’Hana, editor of Pub & Bar magazine said: “This is a brilliant achievement for Battlesteads, and for all our county and regional winner – they can now celebrate the fact that they are the best in their area. It was an absolute pleasure to reward and acknowledge these incredible businesses at what was none other than a celebration of standout hospitality and business practice. This selection of pubs and bars shows just what a fantastic industry the UK on-trade is.”