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 (caravan parks)
Environmental Performance
To enter the Green Tourism Business Scheme 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 Project, Frosterley (Weardale)
Killhope, the North of England Lead Mining Museum - Nr Cowshill (Weardale)
Moor House-Upper Teesdale National Nature Reserve (Teesdale and Alston Moor and East Fellside)
Nenthead Mines Heritage Centre, Nenthead (Alston Moor and East Fellside)
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)
Four Wynds Guesthouse, Greenhead
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)
Rock House Estate, Nenthead (Alston Moor and East Fellside)
Sanctuary Barn, North Stainmore (Alston Moor and East Fellside)
Tottergill Farm Cottages, Castle Carrock (Alston Moor and East Fellside)
Pasture Cottage, Wolsingham (Weardale)
Milburn Grange Holiday Cottages, Knock (Alston Moor and East Fellside)
East Briscoe Farm Cottages, Baldersdale (Teesdale)
Low Cornriggs Farm, Cowshill (Weardale)
Bradley Burn Cottages, Wolsingham (Weardale)
Boot and Shoe Cottage, Barnard Castle (Teesdale)
Beckleshele Cottage, Lanehead (Weardale)
Brokenheugh Lodge and Orchard Barn, Haydon Bridge
YHA
YHA Ninebanks, Ninebanks - West Allen Valley (South Tyne Valley and the Allen Valleys)
YHA Dufton, Dufton (Alston Moor and East Fellside)
YHA Langdon Beck (Offsite link) - this youth hostel doesn't have a GTBS award - however it holds the coverted Eco Flower, which is the toughest environmental tourism standard in the EU!
Bunkhouses
Carrs Farm Bunkhouse (Weardale)
Assay House and Mill Cottage Bunkhouses, Nenthead (Alston Moor and East Fellside)
Cromer House Camping 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.
- Find out more about the Green Tourism Business Scheme by visiting the GTBS website (Offsite link) or by giving Green Business UK a call on 01738 632162 (gtbs@green-business.co.uk)
