AN award-winning hotel and restaurant has been listed for sale for £2.25m.

At the end of August, the Courant reported The Battlesteads in Wark had been put on the market.

It had been run by Richard and Dee Slade for almost 18 years.

Now specialist business property adviser Christie & Co has confirmed it has a guide price of £2.25m.

The hotel dates back to the mid-1700s and offers 22 bedrooms, including five luxury lodges, a restaurant, bar, dining conservation, as well as a large, heated patio and beer garden.

The business has won multiple regional and national awards over the years, and has also been praised for its green business model and eco-features which have been incorporated throughout the building and grounds.

The Battlesteads has its own observatory and was awarded Dark Sky Discovery Site status.

Mr Slade said: "Over the years, this has been a wonderful project.

"Learning about energy efficiency, sustainability and applying my newly gained knowledge to my business has become more and more relevant, particularly in the current economic climate, with ever-increasing operating costs.

"It has also helped me to realise greater profits and I would hope that the new owner will carry on this ethos and enjoy even greater levels of rewards.”

Mark Worley, director in Christie & Co’s North West Hospitality team and who is handling the sale, said: “This is an amazing hotel operation which has been expanded and developed over the years by Richard Slade, a highly experienced and successful hospitality operator, and his wife Dee, who are now looking for a well-earned retirement.

"The hotel’s ideal location, green credentials and high trading performance record makes it an outstanding opportunity and a buyer couldn’t really ask for more!"