A NORTH Tyne holiday accommodation provider has been recognised at the North East England Tourism Awards.

Sycamore Cottage & Glamping, Barrasford, took home silver in the New Tourism Business category.

The business will now go through to the national stages of the Visit England awards to battle it out to be crowned best new business in England.

Debbie Longlands and husband Mark wanted to go into accommodation as soon as they got married. They are third-generation farmers and live on a working farm with their children.

The couple started with a cottage and in 2020, diversified with luxury, onsite glamping.

"To get silver was just unbelievable really", Debbie said. "To be recognised from a small hill farm in Northumberland and to be shortlisted nationally is just fantastic.

"We've loved meeting different people and telling them about life in Northumberland and how we work on the farm."

A panel of judges visited the farm and quizzed owners on a range of topics - including where guests are from, their future plans and their ethos.

Judges said: "Sycamore Glamping Pods are a new tourism venture consisting of two high-quality glamping pods in Northumberland offering affordable breaks with outstanding views.

"Owners Mark and Debbie have taken great care in developing their offering and visitor welcome with the stand out pre-arrival feature being an easy to use and informative app allowing guests to pre-plan their stay as well as being able to use the app whilst enjoying their break.

"Despite having only been open just over a year, they’ve already had guests return and book for a third visit - a testament to the quality accommodation and welcome they offer."

Many guests are from the North-East but visitors have travelled as far as Cornwall and London to stay.

Debbie explained: "I think customer service and customer relationhsip is really important.

" All the feedback we've had from people so far has been amazing, we've had people come back three and four times within a year so they're obviously finding their little spot where they can just go relax.

"That's what makes it all worthwhile when people say 'we've had a really great stay, really comfortable, hosts were lovely'. Every time you read that it's like the first time you've read it, it just makes you so happy.

"You know that you live in a fantastic place but you don't appreciate it as much until you see it from someone else's eyes.

"You don't see anybody else, you don't see another house, another building, you're completely looking over Hadrian's Wall and the Pennines and there's nothing like the vastness of the landscape."

There are two pods, of varying sizes for families, and a dog-friendly cottage. A new hut will be ready for May and a BBQ hut is available for guests to rent.

Judging will continue through until June, when the winners will be announced.