A Northumberland restaurant and hotel has won a coveted culinary award.

The Barrasford Arms, which is located around eight miles outside of Hexham, has been certified a 4-star inn with the AA Rosette Award for Culinary Excellence 2020-2021. Received on May 27, the pub said on its Facebook page that it was a nice surprise to receive through the post.

The hotel and restaurant isn’t new to the award, however, and has retained it for another year.

Victoria Eames, who co-owns the pub with her husband (and head chef) Michael, said: “It’s a great acknowledgement for our kitchen.

“Obviously, to have that continued success people are enjoying what we have here and it’s good to know what we’re delivering is at a certain standard.”

“It is really nice to have this recognition after everything that’s gone on with lockdown too.

“We’re getting back to being fully open, and hopefully everyone’s going to be getting out again.”

This year’s AA Rosette is not the only thing that owners Victoria and Michael are celebrating. June 1 marks four years since they came to the Barrasford Arms, which re-opened to the public on Tuesday, May 18.

The couple say they have been happy to welcome back customers both regular and new either to enjoy award-winning pub food or stay in one of seven bedrooms overlooking the North Tyne Valley.

She continued: “We’ve been pretty much fully booked since we re-opened and everyone is so pleased to be able to socialise again.

“The Bank Holiday weekend was especially brilliant, we couldn’t have asked for more with regards to the warm weather!”

Though the restaurant has an extensive menu of local and seasonal food, it is renowned for its twice baked cheese souffles, which Victoria says are always a ‘good choice.’

The AA introduced a star rating system to classify hotels over 100 years ago.

According to the AA website, a restaurant with 4 rosettes is: “Among the top restaurants in the UK, where the cooking demands national recognition.

“These restaurants exhibit intense ambition, a passion for excellence, superb technical skills, and remarkable consistency.

“They will combine appreciation of culinary traditions with a passionate desire for further exploration and improvement.

“There are very few restaurants with four AA Rosettes.”