Every North East site awarded a VisitEngland Visitor Attraction Accolade this year

Accolades were awarded to 72 English attractions covering all aspects of what makes an outstanding visitor experience. The five categories include: ‘Welcome’; ‘Quality Food and Drink’; ‘Hidden Gem’; ‘Best Told Story’; and ‘Gold’ for overall excellence.

The accolades were awarded based on scores that attractions obtained following their annual VisitEngland Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme assessment.

The nation has been split into 10 sections, with the accolades going to the following North East businesses:

• Hall hill Farm, Durham
• Hopetown, Darlington
• Raby Castle, Darlington
• ROman Army Museum, Greenhead
• The Auckland Project, Durham
• The Wildfowl and Wetland Trust, Washington

The Auckland Project was the only site awarded gold for overall excellence.

VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes said: “These accolades highlight the wonderful visitor experiences provided by English attractions, from the warmest of welcomes to amazing food and drink, from great storytelling to outstanding customer service.

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He added: “Our tourism businesses are the bedrock of our industry and it is wonderful to highlight and celebrate the fantastic service and experiences they give visitors, time-after-time. From museums, gardens and nature reserves to farm attractions, estates and theme parks, these attractions go out of their way to make visits memorable.”

Now in their tenth year, VisitEngland’s Visitor Attraction Accolades are available to participants of the VisitEngland Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme across a range of tourism attractions from historic houses, gardens, country parks and farm attractions to galleries, museums, churches and cathedrals.