Battlesteads Hotel

Wark, about a 20-minute drive from Hexham. It can be easily reached via the A69 and B6320. The hotel offers free on-site parking for guests.

By Train: The nearest train station is in Hexham, with services to and from Newcastle and Carlisle. From the station, it’s about a 20-minute taxi ride to the hotel.

By Air: Newcastle International Airport is approximately 30 miles from the hotel, with a drive time of about 45 minutes.

Accommodation

Battlesteads offers a range of comfortable rooms and eco-lodges, with a focus on sustainability. Each room is designed to provide a cosy and relaxing stay while being environmentally friendly. Key accommodation options include:

• Standard Double and Twin Rooms: Comfortable rooms featuring en-suite bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, tea/coffee-making facilities, and eco-friendly toiletries.
• Luxury Rooms: More spacious and offering extra amenities such as king-sized beds, bathrobes, and garden views.
• Eco-Lodges: Modern, self-contained eco-lodges offer a luxurious stay with private patios, large beds, and spacious bathrooms, all while using sustainable materials and energy-efficient design.

Dining at Battlesteads

• Award-Winning Restaurant: The hotel’s restaurant is renowned for its commitment to local, sustainable produce. The menu changes seasonally and includes dishes made from ingredients grown in Battlesteads’ own gardens and polytunnels. The kitchen also sources from local farms and suppliers, offering a true taste of Northumberland.
• Bar & Lounge: The cosy bar offers a wide selection of local ales, spirits, and wines. Guests can enjoy drinks by the fireplace or in the sunny beer garden during warmer months.
• Vegetarian and Vegan Options: The hotel caters well to special dietary requirements, with a dedicated vegetarian and vegan menu available.

Eco-Friendly Features

Battlesteads is recognised as one of the UK’s leading eco-hotels. Sustainability practices include:

• Solar panels and biomass boilers to reduce energy consumption.
• Rainwater harvesting and recycling initiatives to conserve resources.
• A kitchen garden that supplies fresh produce to the restaurant.
• The use of energy-efficient lighting and appliances throughout the hotel.

Dark Sky Observatory

One of the standout features of Battlesteads is its dark sky observatory. Northumberland is known for its dark skies, and the hotel’s observatory offers nightly stargazing sessions, including talks and telescope viewing of planets, stars, and galaxies. It’s a fantastic experience for astronomy enthusiasts or anyone interested in the wonders of the night sky.

What to See and Do Nearby

• Hadrian’s Wall: The hotel is a great base for exploring Hadrian’s Wall, with key sites like Housesteads Roman Fort and Vindolanda just a short drive away.
• Kielder Water & Forest Park: A 30-minute drive will take you to Kielder, where you can enjoy watersports, hiking, cycling, and wildlife spotting in the largest man-made forest in Europe.
• Hexham Abbey: Located in Hexham, the abbey is a stunning historic building dating back over 1,300 years.
• Wark Village: The village of Wark offers scenic river walks, local pubs, and a peaceful atmosphere, perfect for relaxing.

Key Takeaways

• Eco-friendly country inn with a focus on sustainability and local produce.
• Dark sky observatory offering stargazing experiences in one of the best dark sky regions in the UK.
• Award-winning restaurant serving locally sourced and home-grown cuisine.
• Great base for exploring Hadrian’s Wall, Kielder Forest, and Northumberland National Park.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Battlesteads Hotel family-friendly? Yes, the hotel welcomes families, and the eco-lodges provide plenty of space for larger groups or families travelling together.

Does Battlesteads allow pets? Yes, the hotel is dog-friendly, and well-behaved dogs are welcome in certain rooms and areas of the hotel. It’s advisable to check availability in advance.

Does Battlesteads have Wi-Fi? Yes, free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.

Is there parking available? Yes, free on-site parking is available for guests.

What activities are available at the hotel? Guests can enjoy stargazing at the dark sky observatory, walks in the surrounding countryside, or simply relax in the gardens. The hotel also organises special events and nature-based experiences, like bird-watching and photography workshops.

Are there vegetarian or vegan options at the restaurant? Yes, the restaurant offers a dedicated vegetarian and vegan menu, with dishes made from fresh, local produce.

Battlesteads Hotel offers a unique combination of eco-conscious hospitality, excellent dining, and the opportunity to experience Northumberland’s dark skies, making it a perfect choice for a relaxing and sustainable countryside getaway.