What constitutes the perfect Sunday lunch? That was the question facing the team behind Your Northumberland Guide and, from over 1,000 nominated venues across the county, the judges selected Battlesteads Hotel & Restaurant in Wark, near Hexham, as offering the Best Sunday Lunch in Northumberland.

Having narrowed the 1,000 down to just four finalists, the judges visited them to sample two dishes in each establishment. They took into account the provenance of ingredients; the way they were cooked and presented; the flavour; the service received; the location and the overall ambience created.

After careful consideration and much debate, the judges reached a decision and declared Battlesteads as the overall winner. They commented: “We were blown away by every aspect of the meal we had at Battlesteads, from local sourcing and the commitment to growing their own vegetables, fruit and salad on site to the expert and delicate cooking and the flawless service. Huge congratulations to all the staff at the Battlesteads who work so hard to maintain these standards, they really are doing Northumberland proud.”

Battlesteads owner Richard Slade said: “Again, our team have shown how truly fabulous they are by winning this coveted accolade. With such an array of world class local suppliers and eating establishments within the county, it’s little wonder the team at Your Northumberland Guide had such a tough job selecting a winner. We’re thrilled to have come out tops!”

For further information on Battlesteads, please contact Michelle Luscombe at Progressive PR & Marketing on 07734 109200 or  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

For more information on Your Northumberland Guide, contact Darren Allen 07590 330930 or email  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Richard and Dee Slade bought Battlesteads in 2005 and were driven to investigate sustainable solutions as a result of rural energy supply issues. They soon got the ‘green’ bug and have made huge advancements over the years, to the point that they’re now leading the field for sustainable tourism across the North of England.

Battlesteads has won countless awards for its top hospitality, superb food and outstanding green credentials. These include Green Hotel of the Year in the 2011 Hotel Cateys, Considerate Hotel of the Year 2010/11, Silver in the EnjoyEngland Awards for Excellence 2011 and Great British Pub of the Year 2010.