WHEN Tracy Lea and Derek Backhouse brought their long experience of the inn trade to the North East, they looked for “somewhere that needed tender loving care”.
They found it – in remote north Northumberland – at the Blackcock Country Inn in Falstone village, near Kielder Water.
And, in the eight and a half years since the London couple moved north from Lincolnshire, they have harvested a trio of top awards.
They have already collected four-star country inn accolades from the AA and Visit Britain in 2010, and now they have been crowned the UK’s top bed and breakfast establishment of 2013.
Tracy said: “We are absolutely over the moon.
“The first we knew about Les Routiers was when we got an email saying we had been nominated. We didn’t even know Les Routiers did awards until then!
“The next thing we knew was, a month later, when we were officially informed that we had been awarded Britain’s best B & B status, which is simply fantastic for us.
“We had no idea – and this is a wonderful surprise. Les Routiers visit anonymously and their assessment includes the food and the restaurant as well as the accommodation, so we are very pleased on all counts.”
The award citation refers to the Blackcock’s “consistent exceptional service and hospitality”.
The six-room, 17th-century inn is a notable landmark on the road into Kielder.
Now, as a thank-you to those who have supported the inn, Tracy and partner Derek are putting on a special accommodation-and-meals offer to launch the 2013 tourist season.
“It is a wonderful distinction,” added Tracy. “Derek and I had been five years in Lincolnshire before deciding to move on, and we wanted somewhere that could do with a bit of TLC.
“We found it here in north Northumberland among absolutely magnificent scenery and countryside, and while it has been hard work, we have our rewards.
“The Les Routiers certificate is now hanging prominently in the bar – and we’re so pleased that we’ve copied it and put the copy in the restaurant!”
The Blackcock used to be famous for its resident peacock, which would take up position on the restaurant’s outside windowsill and closely observe diners tucking into their food.
“We don’t have a peacock these days,” said Tracy, “but we do have woodpeckers and collared doves.
“It’s such a wonderful part of the world here, with the scenery and the wildlife, and we’re very happy with what we’ve achieved over the time we’ve been here.
“Now the Les Routiers award tops everything off – and to celebrate it we’re doing a special offer for this month whereby people booking two nights get the second half price, and people booking three nights get the third for free, on condition they eat in the a la carte restaurant.”
The only other North East award-winner in the 12 Les Routiers sections was Colman’s fish and chip shop on Ocean Road, South Shields, which won a sustainable restaurant association prize.
Les Routiers say this year’s winners have shown exceptional service, hospitality and quality of food throughout the year.
A spokesman said: “This year has been so competitive. We have had such good feedback from the many fans of our nominees, together with outstanding performance by all, that it has made the judging process this year one of the toughest we have ever encountered.”
