Battlesteads Pub, Hotel and Restaurant in Wark, near Hexham, is enjoying a well-deserved run of success having just added another award to the trophy cabinet.

At the North East England Tourism Award 2010, held at Ramside Hall in Durham, Battlesteads picked up the Gold award for Sustainable Tourism.

The NE Tourism Awards, organised by Regional Development Agency One North East, celebrate individuals, businesses and attractions which contribute to the region’s thriving tourism industry. Geoff Hodgson, Chairman of the North East Tourism Advisory Board, who presented the winners with their awards, said: “The last 12 months have been a challenging time for everyone. However, the region’s tourism industry has continued to grow and is now worth almost £4bn to the North East’s economy.

“All the finalists this year demonstrate the fantastic quality and diversity we have in the region and are a great example of excellence. We wish them all well for the national awards next year and hope that their success inspires others to strive for the best.”

Battlesteads is leading the field in sustainable tourism with all heating and hot water supplied by a carbon-neutral biomass boiler, and all fruit and veg for the kitchen grown on site in a two acre garden and two polytunnels. Owners Richard and Dee Slade are extremely proud of their achievements and have become unofficial green advisors to the hospitality industry.

The award judges commented that such a continued commitment to sustainable business practice is amazing for a property the size of Battlesteads and that the hotel is an excellent ambassador for the region. They went on to say that the green credentials are matched by an equally high quality guest experience and Richard and Dee were praised for the progress made against the judges’ recommendations from last year.

As Gold winners, Richard and Dee will now go on to represent the region at the national Enjoy England Awards for Excellence which will be held on Friday 15th April 2011 at The Great Hall at Birmingham University.

Our photo shows: Battlesteads owners Richard (left) and Dee Slade with Geoff Hodgson, Chairman of the North East Tourism Advisory Board.

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For further information, please contact Michelle Luscombe at Progressive PR & Marketing on 07734 109200 or michelle@progressivepr.co.uk

Further details on Battlesteads Hotel & Restaurant can be found at www.battlesteads.com

For further info on One North East, please contact Hayley Quarmby, PR Officer at One North East, 0191 229 6852, 07824537347, Hayley.quarmby@onenortheast.co.uk

Full List of Gold Award Winners

Access for All Tourism:
Saltholme, The Wildlife and Discovery Park, Tees Valley

Bed and Breakfast of the Year:
St Cuthbert’s House, Seahouses, Northumberland

Best Tourism Experience of the Year:
Hall Hill Farm, Lanchester Durham

Business Tourism Award:
Rockliffe Hall, Tees Valley

Caravan/Holiday Park of the Year:
Ord House Country Park, Berwick-Upon-Tweed, Northumberland

Large Hotel of the Year:
Hilton Newcastle, Gateshead

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year:
Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland

Outstanding Customer Service Award:
Lucy McEnaney, Event Durham, Durham University

Self Catering/Service Apartment of the Year:
Moo House and The Cow Shed, Newton-by-the-Sea, Northumberland

Small Hotel of the Year:
Langley Castle, Langley, near Hexham, Northumberland

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year:
Killhope – The North of England Lead Mining Museum, Durham

Sustainable Tourism of the Year:
The Battlesteads, Wark, Northumberland

Taste of North East England Award:
Colman’s of South Shields, Tyne & Wear

Tourism Event of the Year:
Illuminating Hadrian’s Wall

Tourist Information Centre of the Year:
Durham City Tourist Information Centre