On the southern edge of the historic north Tyne village of Wark, the family-run Battlesteads Hotel and restaurant occupies a mid 18th century farmhouse which has been considerably extended and recently refurbished to a high standard.

The smart, spacious bar has a beamed ceiling and a comfortable lounge area is furnished with leather armchairs and has cosy log-burning stove. There is an 80-seat restaurant, a large conservatory overlooking a secluded, walled garden and a terrace with outdoor tables. Children and dogs are welcome in the bar. Wark is close to the Pennine Way and the area offers a wide choice of riverside and country walks.

Visit the Battlesteads website for more information

Battlesteads is one of the 'greenest' hotels in the north of England with an award winning carbon neutral biomass boiler burning wood chippings from local forestry to provide heating and hot water to the whole hotel. Surplus heat is diverted to polytunnels growing salad vegetables throughout the year.

HOURS OPEN – 11am - 11pm, daily.

BEERS – Durham Magus, Black Sheep Bitter and guest real ales.
There’s a choice of 20 wines and this former Temperance hotel still offers ginger beer, organic lemonade and Dandelion and Burdock.

FOOD – served from 12noon - 3pm, and 6.30pm - 9.30pm, daily.

A real taste of Northumbria features in Battlesteads range of menus, all planned around seasonal availability of fresh produce to suit every price and palate; from snacks, sandwiches and fresh salads to full a-la-carte including succulent steaks, seasonal game and vegetables, freshwater fish and tasty seafood.

The food policy is to source local ingredients wherever possible, from regional suppliers who share our passion for flavour and commitment to quality – all within a radius of only 30 miles.

Fish is supplied direct from North Shields Fish Quay, free range eggs from the Scottish borders, honey the Roman Wall, game and venison loin from Cumbria - and traditional black pudding is hand made by the local butcher, only a few hundred yards away!

Also sample kippers, haddock, salmon, duck and chicken from Bywell Smokery, they use traditional oak chips and sawdust to smoke fresh produce entirely free of dyes for natural flavour.

ACCOMMODATION – 17 en suite rooms (some with disabled access).

How to get there – Wark is on the B6320, 3 miles south of Bellingham.

Rooms: Single1 Twin7 Double4 Family2

Your Hosts: Richard and Dee Slade

Battlesteads Hotel and Restaurant, Wark, Hexham, Northumberland NE48 3LS

Telephone: (01434) 230 209