The region's leading tourism businesses were celebrating last night as the North East England Tourism Awards made their return to Newcastle's Civic Centre.
Presented by drag queen Ophelia B during English Tourism Week, the awards aim to recognise the range of quality tourism businesses that visitors to the North East experience, with several winners going on to represent the region at the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.
The biggest winners on the night were the Teesdale Cheesemakers Ltd, near Bishop Auckland, who picked up two Gold Awards for Taste of North East England and Camping, Glamping and Holiday park of the Year. Seaham Hall Hotel retained its title as small hotel of the year, and will be hoping to defend its title on a national stage later in the year - after it took the same award at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence in 2022.
Read more: Robson Green wins Outstanding Contribution at North East England Tourism Awards
The awards ceremony's 20th anniversary was celebrated with the creation of a new award, the Outstanding Contribution to North East Tourism. That was taken by TV presenter and actor Robson Green, on recognition of his efforts to champion the region through his programmes, most recently Weekend Escapes.
Sarah Green, Chief Executive of NewcastleGateshead Initiative (NGI), who deliver the awards, said: "It was amazing to celebrate the 20th birthday of the North East awards with such inspiring businesses and individuals who ensure our region gives visitors a warm welcome and special experiences. We've doubled the visitor economy in the North East over the past twenty years but have set ourselves an ambitious target to double it again in the next ten years.
"The North East being announced as the pilot area for the new structure of national tourism bodies and the visitor economy being referenced in the North East Devolution deal demonstrates the level of support for the North East tourism sector. Our aim is to ensure this sector creates more jobs, supports people at all levels to develop skills, embraces net zero sustainability and provides greater experiences for all being recognised as an exemplar for accessibility and inclusivity."
Full list of winners at the North East England Tourism Awards 2023
Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award
Gold: Life Science Centre
Silver: Sage Gateshead
Bronze: Sunderland Empire
Highly commended: The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre
B&B and Guest House of the Year
Gold: Market Cross Guest House
Silver: The Bosk
Bronze: Tynemouth 61 Guesthouse & Tea Room
Business Events Venue of the Year
Gold: The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre
Silver: The Common Room
Bronze: Venues at Northumbria University
Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year
Gold: Teesdale Cheesemakers
Silver: Hillside Huts & Cabins
Bronze: Hesleyside Huts
Highly Commended: Herding Hill Farm
Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism
Gold: Dalton Park Outlet Shopping Destination
Silver: Kidlandelee
Bronze: Laverock Law Cottages
Experience of the Year
Gold: The Escape Key
Silver: Valhalla Axe Throwing
Bronze: Falconry Days
Highly commended: La Chocolatrice
Large Hotel of the Year
Gold: Rockliffe Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa
Silver: Doxford Hall Hotel & Aqueous Spa
Bronze: Newton Hall & Cabin Walk
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
Gold: Bamburgh Castle
Silver: Beamish: The Living Museum of the North
Bronze: Whitehouse Farm
Highly commended: The Alnwick Garden
New Tourism Business Award
Gold: Hillside Huts & Cabins
Silver: The Greenhead Hotel
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
Bronze: Valhalla Axe-Throwing
Highly commended: The Common Room
Self-Catering Accommodation Provider of the Year
Gold: Kidlandlee
Silver: Till Fishing Holidays
Bronze: Vindomora Country Lodges
Joint highly commended: Breamish Valley Cottages and Mains Cottages/Shepherd's Retreats
Small Hotel of the Year
Gold: Seaham Hall Hotel
Silver: The Lord Crewe Arms, Blanchland
Bronze: The Lord Crewe, Bamburgh
Highly commended: Langley Castle
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
Gold: Serenity Farne Island Boat Tours
Silver: Tees Barrage International White Water Centre & Air Trail
Bronze: Newham Grange Farm
Highly commended: Stephenson Steam Railway
Taste of North East England
Gold: Teesdale Cheesemakers Ltd
Silver: Seaham Hall Hotel
Bronze: Dobson & Parnell
Unsung Hero Award
Gold: Mohamed Kamal, Spanish City
Silver: Caroline May, Seaham Hall Hotel
Bronze: Nick Rodgers, Project Escape
Joint highly commended: Samantha Brown, The County Restaurant and Sally Razack, Crowne Plaza Newcastle
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