A business near Hadrian's Wall has won a top award at a prestigious ceremony and was praised for its hard work and customer service.

Hadrian’s Wall Campsite was honoured to be awarded Gold at the North East Tourism Awards on February 29, 2024, which were held at the Civic Centre in Newcastle.

Hadrian's Wall Campsite at Melkridge is a small family-run campsite and is owned by Tracy and Steve Miller.

The pair purchased a campsite that sits alongside Hadrian's Wall near Haltwhistlein 2019 and wanted to give it a new life.

Reflecting on this remarkable journey, Steve Miller, co-owner of the campsite, expressed his elation: "We were nominated for the award last summer, and everything was scrubbed and painted for the judges' visit in November! Soon after, we knew we were in the final three for our category, which was incredible news given how formidable the competition was.

"At the ceremony, when the presenter started reading the names of the runners-up, and we realised we had won, we were just overwhelmed." 

Despite facing challenges, particularly navigating the uncertainties brought by the global pandemic, Tracy and Steve persevered, adapting their strategies to cater to the growing demand for staycations within the UK and offering a glamorous escape to the Northumberland Countryside.

Tracy adds:"Taking the keys of the campsite at the end of 2019 and then being closed due to Covid four months later was challenging enough, but the campsite needed so much work to modernise and improve it to what we have now - we never imagined such recognition in such a short space of time.

”Competing with the big chains isn’t always easy for independent businesses but we are honoured that our hard work is being recognised."

Hadrian's Wall Campsite offers a range of pitches for tents, caravans, and motorhomes, alongside four luxurious shepherd huts complete with private bathrooms.

Guests have commended the wonderful hospitality extended by Steve and Tracy, underscoring the campsite's commitment to providing a memorable experience.

The site is conveniently located within walking distance from Hadrian’s Wall and accessible from Newcastle via train.