The new awards were introduced this year to showcase even more of the region’s incredible visitor economy. For the first time the public were invited to have their say in the Festivals and Event category with thousands of votes being cast for their favourite.
Also new for this year is The Rising Star award, which shines a light on the exciting new talent in the tourism sector, which was won by Ellie Robson, of Northumberland County Show.
Tourism and Hospitality businesses gathered at the annual awards ceremony last night at Newcastle’s Civic Centre, which were hosted by broadcaster and North East ambassador Charlie Charlton.
A further 16 awards were announced with other winners including Rockliffe Hall Hotel, who was once again named Large Hotel of the Year, and newcomer to the region Ad Gefrin Anglo Saxon Museum & Whisky Distillery, who picked up Gold for New Tourism Business of the Year.
The year’s special Outstanding Contribution to Tourism award was handed to Susan Justice, Head of Business Development, North East at Bidfood, food and drink wholesalers, for her dedication and commitment to raising the profile of the food and drink sector in the region. With a career spanning more than 40 years in hospitality Susan has supported mentoring and career development in the industry, working with chefs, restaurants and hotels in ensuring the best quality produce and service is provided.
This is the third year the Outstanding Contribution Award has been presented with previous winners including Robson Green and Ann Cleeves, author of Vera.
Delivered by England’s first Destination Development Partnership – Destination North East England, winners in some of the categories will now go on to compete at a national level at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, held in Brighton in June.
Other hotly contested categories were Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism, which was won by Maldron Hotel Newcastle and Accessible and Inclusive Tourism which was won by Whitehouse Farm. Applications for both categories more than doubled this year, demonstrating the region’s commitment to creating a more sustainable, inclusive and regenerative future.
The full list of Gold winners is:
Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award – Whitehouse Farm
B&B and Guest House of the Year – The Beresford Arms
Business Events Venue of the Year – Crowne Plaza Newcastle Stephenson Quarter
Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year – Tranwell Farm Campsite
Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism – Maldron Hotel Newcastle
Experience of the Year – Blackfriars Cookery School
Large Hotel of the Year – Rockliffe Hall Hotel
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year – Hall Hill Farm
New Tourism Business Award – Ad Gefrin Anglo Saxon Museum & Whisky Distillery
Pub of the Year – South Causey Inn
Self-Catering Provider of the Year – The Glebe Retreat
Small Hotel of the Year – Seaham Hall
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year – Northumberland College Zoo
Taste of North East England – Dobson and Parnell
The Rising Star – Ellie Robson, Northumberland County Show
Tourism Festival or Event – Kynren
Unsung Hero Award – Caitlin Brown, The Escape Key
Volunteer of the Year – Kynren Cast and Crew
Outstanding Contribution to Tourism – Susan Justice, Bidfood
What a night, both from a personal perspective as well from a sector point of view. It was an honour to receive an award alongside such esteemed company. Bidfood are proud to support the visitor economy in this truly special part of the world. Not only as a sponsor of the Tourism Awards, but day in, day out, as we work alongside all the incredible businesses we supply and partner with. From the fantastic producers to the innovative restaurants, cafes, eateries and attractions, who all play a part in the region’s culinary story. Our congratulations to all the winners and finalists. What an another amazing year in tourism for the region.
Every year these awards are a joy to be part of, offering us a moment to take time to recognise the fantastic businesses and individuals who contribute to our visitor economy. The introduction of the three new awards was a way of shining a light on even more incredible organisations, events and people who add to the visitor offer. The region’s tourism sector is moving into a new era with ambitious targets and stronger partnerships aiming to deliver on the region’s potential. Well done to everyone who received awards tonight.
2025 Destination North East England Tourism Awards Winners in full
Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award
GOLD – Whitehouse Farm Centre
SILVER – The Glasshouse International Centre for Music
BRONZE – The Alnwick Garden
HIGHLY COMMENDED – Durham Cricket
B&B and Guest House of the Year
GOLD – The Beresford Arms
SILVER – Old School House, Haltwhistle
BRONZE – Wydon Farm B&B
Business Events Venue of the Year
GOLD – Crowne Plaza Newcastle - Stephenson Quarter
SILVER – The Glasshouse International Centre for Music
BRONZE – Event Durham, Durham University
HIGHLY COMMENDED – Venues at Northumbria University
Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year
GOLD – Tranwell Farm Campsite
SILVER – Walkmill Campsite
BRONZE – Vindomora Country Lodges
Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award
GOLD – Maldron Hotel Newcastle
SILVER – Laverock Law Cottages and Glamping
BRONZE – Battlesteads
HIGHLY COMMENDED – The Glasshouse International Centre for Music
Experience of the Year
GOLD – Blackfriars Cookery School
SILVER – The Escape Key
BRONZE – Serenity Farne Island Boat Tours
HIGHLY COMMENDED – Triple A Food Tours
Large Hotel of the Year
GOLD – Rockliffe Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa Resort
SILVER – Matfen Hall
BRONZE – INNSiDE Newcastle
HIGHLY COMMENDED – Holiday Inn Newcastle Jesmond
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
GOLD – Hall Hill Farm
SILVER – Ad Gefrin Anglo-Saxon Museum & Whisky Distillery
BRONZE – Bamburgh Castle
HIGHLY COMMENDED – Ushaw Historic House, Chapels & Gardens
New Tourism Business of the Year
GOLD – Ad Gefrin Anglo-Saxon Museum & Whisky Distillery
SILVER – Northumberland Nook
BRONZE – The Tempus
HIGHLY COMMENDED – Lilidorei at The Alnwick Garden
Pub of the Year
GOLD – South Causey Inn
SILVER – The Beresford Arms
BRONZE – Full Circle Brew Co
HIGHLY COMMENDED – The Seaburn Inn
Self Catering Accommodation of the Year
GOLD – The Glebe Retreat
SILVER – Chesters Stables
BRONZE – Doxford Cottages
Small Hotel of the Year
GOLD – Seaham Hall
SILVER – Lord Crewe Arms, Blanchland
BRONZE – Marshall Meadows Manor House
HIGHLY COMMENDED – The Greenhead Hotel
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
GOLD – Northumberland College Zoo
SILVER – Diggerland Durham
BRONZE – Auckland Palace and the Faith Museum
HIGHLY COMMENDED – Tanfield Railway
Taste of North East England
GOLD – Dobson and Parnell
SILVER – My Delhi Streetery
BRONZE – The Beresford Arms
The Rising Star Award
GOLD – Ellie Robson, Northumberland County Show
SILVER – Oscar Edwards, Holiday Inn Newcastle Jesmond
BRONZE – Alaya Woodward, Riverview Bakery
Tourism Festival or Event
Kynren
Unsung Hero Award
GOLD – Caitlin Brown, The Escape Key
SILVER – Steve Watson GHOST Northeast
BRONZE – Alice Middleton, Malhotra Group
Volunteer of the Year
GOLD – Kynren, Cast and Crew
SILVER – Newcastle City Guides
BRONZE – Sarah Davidson, Northumberland County Show
Outstanding Contribution to Tourism
Susan Justice, Bidfood
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