Northumberland inn won North East Pub of the Year 2026

The Kirkstyle Inn & Sportsman's Rest won Gold in the Pub of the Year category on its first time entering, while The Tempus took the title of the Small Hotel of the Year.

The annual ceremony, held on March 19 at Newcastle’s Civic Centre, brought together more than 450 business leaders to recognise excellence across the region’s visitor economy.

Now in its 24th year and sponsored by LNER, the event highlighted the continued strength of Northumberland’s tourism sector, with businesses achieving eight gold awards and dominating several key categories.

The Kirkstyle Inn said: "We are incredibly grateful and proud to have been awarded Gold Pub of the Year at the Destination North East England Tourism Awards.

"A huge thank you for such a fantastic evening, it was truly a pleasure to be part of it. We’re honoured to be recognised alongside so many brilliant businesses, and we’d like to congratulate all of the other winners and finalists," they added.

Northumberland businesses were represented in 16 of the 18 award categories, with eight securing the top prize.

Among the standout achievements was an impressive double win for Warksburn Old Church, a luxury, net‑zero holiday cottage near Hadrian’s Wall. In its first year of operation, it claimed New Tourism Business of the Year and Self‑Catering Accommodation of the Year.

Another major Northumberland success came from Ad Gefrin Anglo‑Saxon Museum & Whisky Distillery in Wooler. After winning New Tourism Business of the Year in 2025, it continued its momentum by securing Small Visitor Attraction of the Year for 2026.

Northumberland’s accommodation sector also shone. The Tempus at Charlton Hall Estate was named Small Hotel of the Year, recognised for its stylish boutique experience.

In Bamburgh, The Lord Crewe took B&B and Guest House of the Year, positioned perfectly for visitors exploring the village and its iconic castle.

Tranwell Farm Holidays, near Morpeth, retained its title as Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year, showcasing the county’s range of hospitality experiences.

Elizabeth Cowell from The Vindolanda Trust received the prestigious Rising Star Award.

Northumberland businesses collected 30 of the 62 awards presented on the night in total, with 24 businesses recognised overall.

Andrew Fox, chair of Visit Northumberland, said the results demonstrated the 'incredible offering' the county provides, adding that Northumberland’s continued success in the New Tourism Business category for three consecutive years shows strong innovation and growth across the sector.

The ceremony also introduced a live orchestral performance by Sunderland‑based ISG, featuring a medley of songs by North East artists including Jade Thirlwall and Sting.

Guests were shown an inspiring video featuring scenes from the thriller 28 Years Later, filmed primarily on Holy Island, as well as Kielder and Hadrian’s Wall.

The awards took place during English Tourism Week, which highlights a sector generating £1.43 billion annually for the Northumberland economy.