Held during English Tourism Week, the awards play a key role in celebrating and showcasing the range of quality tourism businesses that visitors to the North East encounter and we are thrilled that Northumberland showed such a range of award-winning services. The tourism sector continues to be the fourth largest in the region, highlighting the importance of the businesses working in the sector to the wider economy.
A staggering number of Northumberland businesses also achieved Silver and Bronze in a range of categories, including ‘Pub of the Year’ and ‘Self-Catering Accommodation Provider of the Year’, both of which Northumberland dominated by achieving all available awards.
The full list of Gold Northumberland winners is:
B&B and Guest House of the Year – Market Cross Guest House
Business Events Venue of the Year – The Sill, National Landscape Discovery Centre
Experience of the Year – The Escape Key
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year – Bamburgh Castle
New Tourism Business Award – Hillside Huts & Cabins
Pub of the Year – The Apple Inn, Lucker
Resilience and Innovation Award – Langley Castle Hotel
Self-Catering Provider of the Year – Kidlandlee Holiday Cottages
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year – Serenity Farne Island Boat Tours
Andrew Fox, chair of Visit Northumberland, said, “Once again Northumberland businesses have had fabulous results in the North East England Tourism Awards. Our businesses go the extra mile to ensure the highest quality of service, leaving visitors with memories that make them come back time and time again. It is fantastic to see businesses being recognised for this.
“The recent announcement of the North East as the first ever Destination Development Partnership strengthened the importance of tourism in Northumberland and the wider North East. It’s therefore important we commend the individuals who offer outstanding visitor experiences and a warm Northumbrian welcome. On behalf of Visit Northumberland, I would like to congratulate all of those who were recognised in the awards.”
Northumberland County Councillor, Jeff Watson, portfolio holder for Healthy Lives said: "It's great to see so many Northumbrian businesses being recognised for their contributions to our bustling tourism industry in this, the 20th North East England Tourism Awards.
"It's down to the hard work and dedication of those working in our tourism industry that Northumberland is such a must-visit destination - you are all a credit to our county.
"We've got some really exciting things happening in Northumberland and we can't wait for visitors to experience them."
The awards were once again sponsored by Newcastle College and Bidfood. A raffle was also held on the night with money raised going towards NE Youth.
Full list of Northumberland awards:
Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award
HIGHLY COMMENDED: The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre
B&B and Guest House of the Year
GOLD: Market Cross Guest House
SILVER: The Bosk
Business Events Venue of the Year
GOLD: The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre
Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year
SILVER: Hillside Huts & Cabins
BRONZE: Hesleyside Huts
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Herding Hill Farm
Ethical, Response and Sustainable Tourism
SILVER: Kidlandlee Holiday Cottages
BRONZE: Laverock Law Cottages
Experience of the Year
GOLD: The Escape Key
BRONZE: Falconry Days
Large Hotel of the Year
SILVER: Doxford Hall Hotel & Aqueous Spa
BRONZE: Newton Hall & Cabin Walk
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
GOLD: Bamburgh Castle
BRONZE: Whitehouse Farm
HIGHLY COMMENDED: The Alnwick Garden
New Tourism Business Award
GOLD: Hillside Huts & Cabins
BRONZE: Overland Adventures
HIGHLY COMMENDED: The Schoolhouse Fenwick
Pub of the Year
GOLD: The Apple Inn, Lucker
SILVER: The Greenhead Hotel
BRONZE: The Joiners Arms
Resilience and Innovation Award
GOLD: Langley Castle Hotel
SILVER: The Escape Key
Self-Catering Accommodation Provider of the Year
GOLD: Kidlandlee Holiday Cottages
SILVER: Till Fishing Holidays
BRONZE: Vindomora Country Lodges
JOINT HIGHLY COMMENDED: Breamish Valley Cottages & Mains Cottages/Shepherd's Retreats
Small Hotel of the Year
SILVER: The Lord Crewe Arms, Blanchland
BROZE: The Lord Crewe, Bamburgh
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Langley Castle
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
GOLD: Serenity Farne Island Boat Tours
