Northumberland businesses took home eight Golds at the 2026 North East England Tourism Awards ceremony, with the county’s businesses leading three categories outright and impressive newcomer Warksburn Old Church earning two gold awards, marking a remarkable debut on the regional stage.
The annual ceremony took place last night (19/03/26) and brought over 450 business, regional and national leaders together at Newcastle’s Civic Centre for a celebration of the North East’s visitor economy. Sponsored by train operator LNER, the ceremony is now in its 24th year.
Northumberland businesses featured in 16 of the 18 categories and eight of them took home the Gold last night, winning categories such as Pub of the Year, Small Hotel of the Year and the Rising Star Award which was won by The Vindolanda Trust’s Elizabeth Cowell.
Warksburn Old Church, a luxury net-zero holiday cottage set in a renovated church close to Hadrian's Wall, triumphed with two gold awards in the New Tourism Business of the Year and Self Catering Accommodation of the Year categories, a fantastic achievement to mark their first year of operation. Wooler’s Ad Gefrin Anglo-Saxon Museum & Whisky Distillery followed their 2025 Gold New Tourism Business of the Year award by winning this year’s Gold for Small Visitor Attraction of the Year.
In addition to Northumberland claiming Best Self Catering Accommodation, the county’s Gold-winning places to stay showcase the remarkable diversity of its landscapes and the distinct character of its hospitality.
Winning Small Hotel of the Year, The Tempus at Charlton Hall Estate is acknowledged as one of Northumberland’s most stylish boutique hotel experiences. In the iconic coastal village of Bamburgh, B&B and Guest House of the Year The Lord Crewe is perfectly placed for exploring Bamburgh Castle. Completing the trio, Tranwell Farm Holidays just two miles from historic Morpeth retained the Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year accolade.
Regaining the Pub of the Year crown for Northumberland, the Kirkstyle Inn & Sportsman’s Rest secured gold in their first time of entering.
The full list of Gold Northumberland winners is:
B&B and Guest House of the Year – The Lord Crewe Bamburgh
Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year – Tranwell Farm Holidays
New Tourism Business of the Year – Warksburn Old Church
Pub of the Year – The Kirkstyle Inn & Sportsman's Rest
Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year – Warksburn Old Church
Small Hotel of the Year – The Tempus
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year – Ad Gefrin Anglo-Saxon Museum & Whisky Distillery
Rising Star Award – Elizabeth Cowell - The Vindolanda Trust
Overall, Northumberland scooped 30 of the available 62 gold, silver, bronze and finalist awards issued on the night, with 24 Northumberland businesses recognised, some across multiple award categories.
Andrew Fox, chair of Visit Northumberland, said: “It is outstanding to see Northumberland having such a strong presence in the North East England Tourism Awards year after year. This fantastic outcome for Northumberland demonstrates the incredible offering we have here in the county, the quality of experiences that we can offer and the new product that continues to emerge, made clear by the fact that Northumberland has won New Tourism Business of the Year for three years running. Congratulations to everyone who received an accolade and it was an honour to watch Northumberland’s successes come to light.”
Visit Northumberland proudly supported this year’s event through the sponsorship of two award categories, the Self Catering Accommodation and Taste of North East England awards. Reflecting the county’s rich culinary identity, the event menu showcased dishes selected to champion the Taste of Northumberland initiative, celebrating local producers and high-quality regional ingredients. To round off the evening with a signature Taste of Northumberland, all guests received Coquet Chocolate favours, adding a memorable and locally-inspired flourish to the celebration.
Cllr Wendy Pattison, Northumberland County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Culture and Leisure, added: “It is fantastic to see our support of the visitor economy delivering real results.
"Our tourism sector is a real asset to the county, and it is thanks to the hard work and dedication of those in the industry that Northumberland continues to stand out as a must-visit destination for both residents and visitors to enjoy.”
For the very first time, the awards introduced a stunning, live orchestral performance created for the event by Sunderland-based global entertainment provider ISG. The orchestra performed a specially arranged medley celebrating iconic North East artists, from Jade Thirlwall to Sting. Reflecting the year gone by in the visitor economy, organisers screened an inspiring video featuring clips from blockbuster 28 Years Later which is set and was filmed primarily on Northumberland’s Holy Island, as well as in Kielder and areas along Hadrian’s Wall. The event fell during English Tourism Week, a national celebration of the sector that generates £1.43 billion to the Northumberland economy.
2026 Northumberland Awards Winners in full
Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award
BRONZE - Whitehouse Farm Centre
B&B and Guest House of the Year
GOLD – The Lord Crewe Bamburgh
SILVER - The Beresford Arms
BRONZE - Redesdale Arms
Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year
GOLD - Tranwell Farm Holidays
SILVER - Northumberland Nook
BRONZE – The Roundhouses
Regenerative Tourism Award
HIGHLY COMMEMDED - Hepple Wilds
Experience of the Year
HIGHLY COMMENDED - Athey's Moor Flying School
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
BRONZE - Roman Vindolanda Fort & Museum
New Tourism Business of the Year
GOLD - Warksburn Old Church
BRONZE - Good Times Bike Hire
HIGHLY COMMENDED - Hepple Wilds
Pub of the Year
GOLD - The Kirkstyle Inn & Sportsman's Rest
BRONZE - Rigg & Furrow
HIGHLY COMMENDED - The Middle Inn
Self Catering Accommodation of the Year
GOLD - Warksburn Old Church
SILVER - Tiptoe Retreat
BRONZE - Mains Cottages
Small Hotel of the Year
GOLD - The Tempus
BRONZE – Lord Crewe Arms Blanchland
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
GOLD - Ad Gefrin Anglo-Saxon Museum & Whisky Distillery
SILVER - Kielder Observatory
Taste of North East England Award
BRONZE – The Lord Crewe Bamburgh
Unsung Hero Award
SILVER - Ami Philipson - The Vindolanda Trust
The Rising Star Award
GOLD - Elizabeth Cowell - The Vindolanda Trust
Individual or Group Volunteer Award
SILVER - Northumberland National Park
BRONZE - Northumberland County Show
Tourism Festival or Event of the Year
FINALIST - Father Christmas at The Old Gaol
FINALIST - Northumberland County Show
