THE region’s top tourist attractions, along with the best places to stay and things to do, have been recognised at the North East Tourism Awards 2011.

The awards, which took place last night at the Stadium of Light, in Sunderland, saw 44 tourism businesses commended for achieving high standards of excellence.

They will go on to represent the North-East in the national Visit England awards being held next spring.

Winners, who received a gold award, included Rockliffe Hall Hotel, in Hurworth, near Darlington, which was named Large Hotel of the Year, and Dowfold House Bed and Breakfast, in Crook, County Durham, named B&B of the Year.

Beamish, near Stanley, County Durham, won Large Visitor Attraction of the Year.

Hall Hill Farm, in Lanchester, was jointly awarded Small Visitor Attraction of the Year.

Tourism Event of the Year was awarded to last year’s Tall Ships Races, which was hosted by Hartlepool and brought an estimated £26m into the regional economy and attracted almost one million visitors.

Knitsley Farm Shop, in Consett, County Durham, won the Taste of North-East England award.

Meanwhile, the tourist information facility in Stanhope, County Durham, was also a gold award winner. It is based in the Durham County Council-owned and managed Dales Business Centre, which generates a significant chunk of its own operating costs through a cafe, shops and businesses based there.

Its success comes at a time when the designated Tourist Information Centre (TIC) in Barnard Castle has closed and the TIC in Durham is due to close on October 31, since the authority believes they do not offer a good deal for tax payers.

Geoff Hodgson, chairman of the North East Tourism Advisory Board, said: “The quality of this year’s finalists has shone through the judging process – their commitment to providing a first-class experience for their customers and constantly improving their business is what helps makes the North-East such a great place to visit.”

Judges’ comments on some of the winners included: * Rockliffe – A five-star rated hotel which offers luxury at the highest levels with impressive attention to detail throughout. Also has an exceptional standard of housekeeping with professional, friendly staff.

* Dowfold House – This fourstar, gold-rated Victorian house B&B offers an outstanding experience for visitors from start to finish with spacious and airy rooms, high quality fittings and furnishings and outstanding customer service.

* Beamish – Has well-trained and motivated staff, and offers an improved arrival experience and extended choice in catering facilities. Again a fantastic experience.

* Tall Ships Races, Hartlepool – Visually breathtaking as an event and showed how a destination can punch above its weight, create pride in the area and generate an ongoing legacy for the visitor economy.

* Knitsley Farm Shop – A popular shop and cafe offering superb food. The owners are hands on and passionate and are supported by a team of friendly and well-organised staff.

Large Hotel of the Year Gold – Rockliffe Hall Hotel, Golf Spa Resort, Hurworth on Tees, County Durham; Silver – Gisborough Hotel, North Yorkshire; Bronze – Linden Hall Golf and Country Club, Morpeth, Northumberland. Small Hotel of the Year Gold – Doxford Hall Hotel, Chathill, Northumberland; Silver – Wynyard Hall Country House Hotel, Tees Valley.

Bronze – Seaham Hall Hotel and Serenity Spa. Bed and Breakfast of the Year Gold – Dowfold House Bed and Breakfast, Crook, County Durham; Silver – Old Vicarage, Tweedmouth, Northumberland; Bronze – Low Urpeth Farm Bed and Breakfast, Chester-le-Street.

Self Catering/Serviced Apartment Gold – Cheviot Holiday Cottages, Ingram, Northumberland; Silver – Falstone Barns, Falstone, Northumberland; Bronze – Outchester Ducket, Belford, Northumberland; Budle Falls, Belford, Northumberland.

Caravan Holiday Park of the Year Gold – Seafield Caravan Park, Seahouses, Northumberland. Small Visitor Attraction of Year Gold – WWT Washington Wetland Centre, Wearside; Hall Hill Farm, Lanchester, County Durham; Silver – Durham University Botanic Garden. Large Visitor Attraction of the Year Gold – Beamish Museum, County Durham; Silver – Roman Vindolanda Fort and Museum, Bardon Mill, Northumberland; Bronze – Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead. Business Tourism Award Gold – Sodexo Prestige at Newcastle United; Silver – Event Durham, Durham University; Bronze – Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle. Taste of North East England Gold – Knitsley Farm Shop, Consett, County Durham; Silver – Wheelbirks Parlour, Stocksfield, Northumberland; Bronze – Oldfields Eating House, Durham. Outstanding Customer Service Award Gold – William Salve, Linden Hall Golf & Country Club, Northumberland; Silver – Kelly Smith, Wynyard Hall Country House Hotel, Tees Valley; Kate Carnaby, Sodexo Prestige at Newcastle United.

Sustainable Tourism Award Gold – St Cuthbert’s House, Seahouses, Northumberland; Silver – Killhope, The North of England Lead Mining Museum, County Durham; Bronze – Blackthorn Gate, Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough. Best Tourism Experience of the Year Gold – The National Glass Centre at the University of Sunderland ; Silver – Go Ape! Matfen; Bronze – Surfing in North Tyneside.

Tourism Event of the Year Gold – Tall Ships Races, Hartlepool 2010; Silver – Extraordinary Measures, Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, Northumberland; Bronze – Evolution Weekender 2010. NewcastleGateshead Access for All Tourism Award Gold – Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle; Silver – The Coach House Bed and Breakfast, Bardon Mill, Northumberland; Bronze – The Old Farmhouse, Haydon Bridge, Northumberland. Tourism Information Centre of Year Gold – Stanhope Tourist Information Centre, County Durham; Silver – Once Brewed Tourist Information Centre, Northumberland; Rothbury Tourism Information Centre, Northumberland.