- Play Hard
- 24th Mar 2026
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The North East’s best tourism and hospitality spots revealed (and you’ll want to visit them all)
There’s something special about a night that shines a spotlight on everything the North East does so well, and the Destination North East England Tourism Awards delivered exactly that.
Held at Newcastle’s Civic Centre last week, the annual event (now in its 24th year and sponsored by LNER) brought together more than 450 businesses, industry leaders and local champions to celebrate the places shaping our region’s visitor economy – from standout stays and unforgettable attractions to the people working behind the scenes to make it all happen.
And this year, the message was clear: our region isn’t just thriving, we’re leading the way.
A STANDOUT YEAR FOR NORTH EAST BUSINESSES
Hundreds of entries are judged through a detailed process, including mystery visits and expert assessments, before winners are awarded Gold, Silver, Bronze or Highly Commended.
One of the biggest success stories of the night came from Northumberland newcomer Warksburn Old Church, which took home two Gold awards for New Tourism Business of the Year and Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year.
In the same category, Sheepfolds Stables (Silver), Good Times Bike Hire (Bronze) and Hepple Wilds (Highly Commended) also stood out, showing the strength of new tourism ventures across the region.
BIG NAMES, BIG WINS
Newcastle’s Life Science Centre had a standout evening, securing Gold for both Accessible and Inclusive Tourism (with Dalton Park Outlet taking Silver and Whitehouse Farm Centre (Bronze) and Large Visitor Attraction of the Year (ahead of Beamish Museum in Silver and Vindolanda Fort & Museum in Bronze).
Food and drink also had its moment. Blackfriars took Gold for Taste of North East England, followed by Babul’s (Silver) and The Lord Crewe Bamburgh (Bronze). Its cookery school also secured Gold for Experience of the Year, with The Canny Chocolate Company (Silver), Newcastle Tour Company (Bronze) and Athey’s Moor Flying School (Highly Commended) all recognised.
THE BEST PLACES TO STAY
From countryside escapes to luxury retreats, the accommodation categories showcased the diversity of places to stay across the North East.
Rockliffe Hall was crowned Large Hotel of the Year, with Great North Hotel taking Silver and INNSiDE by Meliá Newcastle going home with Bronze.
In the Small Hotel of the Year category, The Tempus claimed Gold, followed by Seaham Hall (Silver), Lord Crewe Arms Blanchland (Bronze) and Jesmond Dene House (Highly Commended).
For more intimate stays, The Lord Crewe Bamburgh won B&B and Guest House of the Year, with The Beresford Arms (Silver) and Redesdale Arms (Bronze) completing the list.
EXPERIENCES, ATTRACTIONS AND DAYS OUT
Across the region, it’s the experiences that keep people coming back, and this year’s winners reflect just how varied they are.
Ad Gefrin Anglo-Saxon Museum & Whisky Distillery took Gold for Small Visitor Attraction of the Year, with Kielder Observatory (Silver), Tanfield Railway (Bronze) following closely behind.
In outdoor and alternative stays, Tranwell Farm Holidays secured Gold for Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year, followed by Northumberland Nook (Silver) and The Roundhouses (Bronze).
Meanwhile, sustainability is becoming a key focus, with Dalton Park Outlet winning Regenerative Tourism Award, ahead of Maldron Hotel Newcastle (Silver), Dalton Moor Farm and School of Sustainable Living & Wellbeing (Bronze) and Hepple Wilds (Highly Commended).
PUBS, VENUES AND PLACES TO GATHER
When it comes to social spaces, our region continues to deliver.
The Kirkstyle Inn & Sportsman’s Rest was named Pub of the Year, with Three Mile (Silver), Rigg & Furrow (Bronze) and The Middle Inn (Highly Commended) also recognised.
For events and conferences, The Catalyst Gold for Business Events Venue of the Year, followed by Crowne Plaza Newcastle Stephenson Quarter (Silver), BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art (Bronze) and Utilita Arena Newcastle (Highly Commended).
CELEBRATING PEOPLE BEHIND THE SCENES
Beyond places, the awards also celebrate the people who make the region what it is.
Kynren’s Archers took Gold for Volunteer of the Year, with Northumberland National Park (Silver), Northumberland County Show (Bronze) and the Literary and Philosophical Society Volunteers (Highly Commended) also honoured. Kynren also secured Tourism Event and Festival of the Year.
The Unsung Hero Award went to Wendy Smith of The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, with Ami Philipson from The Vindolanda Charitable Trust (Silver) and Gail Lawler of Big River Bakery (Bronze) also recognised.
Rising talent was celebrated too, with Elizabeth Cowell of the Vindolanda Trust winning Rising Star, followed by Jaden Dixon of Kynren (Silver) and Natasha Hambly of Hamsterley Forest (Bronze).
A NIGHT TO CELEBRATE THE REGION
The evening itself reflected a landmark year for the North East. A live orchestral performance by Sunderland-based ISG celebrated regional icons from Jade Thirlwall to Sting, while highlights from the past year, from Sam Fender’s Mercury Prize win to major sporting events and film productions, reminded guests just how much the region has achieved.
Students from Newcastle College and Gateshead College also played a role behind the scenes, adding to the sense of community that defines the North East’s hospitality and tourism sector.
A well-deserved recognition
The night closed with the Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award, presented to John Marshall, chair of Destination North East England, whose decades-long work has helped shape and champion the region’s visitor economy.
With winners now heading to the VisitEngland Awards in June, the North East’s best are set to take on the national stage.
But if this night proved anything, it’s that we already know what we have here — a region full of standout businesses, passionate people and experiences that more than hold their own.
Rachael Ellis
Head of Content
After gaining a first in her BA Media and Journalism degree at Northumbria University, Rachael worked at Newcastle’s leading regional newspaper with her stories being picked up in national and global newspapers. She spent two very successful years giving a voice to those communities across the North East who otherwise…
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