14th March 2016

We are absolutely delighted that one of our featured boutique bed and breakfast providers, St Cuthbert’s House, has won top Awards in both the Guest Accommodation and Sustainable Tourism categories of the prestigious VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2016.

The awards were handed out at the glittering Awards Ceremony at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool this week, designated as English Tourism Week.

Owners Jeff & Jill Sutheran said they were “honoured and delighted” to receive Awards in two categories.

VisitEngland’s Awards for Excellence inspire and motivate businesses to become outstanding leaders in the industry. St Cuthbert’s House can count itself amongst the top five businesses in both Guest Accommodation and Sustainable Tourism in England.

“Awards for Excellence winners exemplify distinguished businesses throughout England, and are representative of the best in the industry, who place delivering an unforgettable experience to visitors at the heart of their business operations.”” said Sally Balcombe, CEO of VisitBritain and VisitEngland.

After a long and painstaking restoration and conversion of the disused church – which carefully integrated many original features like the pulpit and communion table – the business opened eight years ago, providing high-quality guest accommodation in six ensuite bedrooms.  It has built a strong reputation, bolstered by its 5-star grading from VisitBritain and recommendations on peer-review websites like Tripadvisor.

Owner Jill Sutheran said: “It’s a real honour for us to be amongst the winners of these National Awards.  There were some fantastic tourism businesses from around the whole country in the mix, and to be judged amongst the top five in two categories is just wonderful.  It’s good for our business of course, but we’re also pleased to be flying the flag for the Northumberland coast as a wonderful place to visit!”

Husband Jeff added: “We want our visitors to have a wonderful experience of this amazing area, but we’re also passionate that their every visit should make our rural community a better place to live and work for local people, too.  We’re delighted that our determination to provide an unforgettable guest experience which also builds our local economy, has brought us these national Awards in two categories, and to be considered amongst the best in the whole country.”

St Cuthbert’s House is currently running a fabulous Candlelit Dinner for Two for visitors to Boutique and Breakfast but be sure to book quick as this offer expires at the end of March.

Some interesting facts about St Cuthbert’s House :

• St Cuthbert’s House was formerly a Presbyterian church, built in 1810.  Jill came up with the design for the renovation, and has brought a beautiful design flair to the building – for example, by incorporating a sweeping continuous handrail on an imposing central stairway, and ingenious lighting effects throughout.
• Many original features – such as the pulpit, communion table, wooden pillars and original flooring – have been re-integrated into the new building.
• Following the renovation, the old congregation returned for a service of ‘blessing’, and all were delighted to see their old building brought back to life.
• The business is graded 5-star Gold Award by VisitBritain, and has a Gold Award from the Green Tourism Business Scheme.
• St Cuthbert’s House is passionate about high-quality local food and produce, and Jeff & Jill have been instrumental in forming a network of ‘sustainable’ tourism businesses in Northumberland.
• St Cuthbert’s House is fully licensed, and has its own ‘house-beer’ brewed locally.
• St Cuthbert’s House has won top prizes at the North-East Tourism Awards every year since 2009, and has won Gold & Silver awards at the national VisitEngland final on three occasions.