Green businesses
Tourism businesses in and around the North Pennines AONB, from B&Bs and self-catering cottages to conference venues and visitor attractions, hold awards in the nationally recognised Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) as well as the David Bellamy Award.
Environmental peace of mind
To enter the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) or the Bellamy Award businesses need to demonstrate that they are: minimising their impact on the environment; communicating their green credentials to their customers; and having a positive impact on their surroundings.
To do this they need to implement a number of practical measures covering management and marketing, social involvement and communication, energy, using water wisely, purchasing, waste, travel, natural and cultural heritage and innovation.
Attractions
Ark on the Edge, Woodland (Teesdale)
Geltsdale RSPB Nature Reserve, Hallbankgate (Alston Moor and East Fellside)
Harehope Quarry, Frosterley (Weardale)
Killhope, the North of England Lead Mining Museum, Nr Cowshill (Weardale)
Visitor centres
Durham Dales Centre, Stanhope (Weardale)
Activity providers
Pennine Painting Art Holidays, Garrigill (Alston Moor and East Fellside)
Accommodation
B&Bs
Low Cornriggs Farm, Cowshill (Weardale)
Dowfold House, Crook (Weardale)
Hotels
Langley Castle Hotel, Langley-on-Tyne (South Tyne Valley and the Allen Valleys)
Caravan parks
Allendale Caravan Park, Allendale (South Tyne Valley and the Allen Valleys)
Guesthouses
Lowbyer Manor Country House, Alston (Alston Moor and East Fellside)
Pub with rooms
The Miners Arms, Nenthead (Alston Moor and East Fellside)
Self-catering
Brignall Mill Holiday Cottage, Near Barnard Castle (Teesdale)
East Briscoe Farm Cottages, Baldersdale (Teesdale)
Isaac’s Byre Cottage, Garrigill (Alston Moor and East Fellside)
Rock House Estate, Nenthead (Alston Moor and East Fellside)
Tottergill Farm Cottages, Castle Carrock (Alston Moor and East Fellside)
Milburn Grange Holiday Cottages, Knock (Alston Moor and East Fellside)
Low Cornriggs Farm, Cowshill (Weardale)
Beckleshele Cottage, Lanehead (Weardale)
Brokenheugh Lodge and Orchard Barn, Haydon Bridge
Cobblestone Barn, Melmerby (Alston Moor and East Fellside)
Greenwell Hill Holiday Cottages, Near Wolsingham (Weardale)
Bunkhouses
Carrs Farm Bunkhouse, Wolsingham (Weardale)
Cromer House Barn, Frosterley (Weardale)
Group accommodation
Deneholme Residential and Conference Centre, Allendale (South Tyne Valley and the Allen Valleys)
Blackton Grange, Baldersdale (Teesdale)
Gold award
The AONB Partnership's Staff Unit has also achieved a Gold GTBS award in recognition of its environmental practices at its offices and its wider support of sustainable tourism in the North Pennines AONB and European Geopark.