Author: AJ

Following our multiple award wins, recognising Warksburn Old Church as one of the UK’s most exceptional tourism properties, and officially the very best self catering accommodation in the entire North East of England, we are delighted that we are now featured on the Coolstays website and app.

Described by Coolstays as “a breathtaking, award-winning Passivhaus church conversion in rural Northumberland, where soaring 10-metre ceilings meet cutting-edge luxury”, we look forward to welcoming guests discovering us through this specialist platform. The arrival of Warksburn Old Church on the Coolstays platform was announced in this Facebook post.

Coolstays describe their mission as: “one simple idea: make it effortless to uncover out-of-the-ordinary places to stay. Instead of endless generic listings, we offer a curated collection of unique holiday rentals — each with its own charm, story, and personality.

“Today, we proudly champion independent hosts and small businesses who pour love and care into their properties. When you book through Coolstays, you support local owners, family-run businesses, and sustainable tourism.” We also wholeheartedly support the company’s Commitment to Sustainability which they state as follows:

” We are proud to be a climate-conscious company. Our strategy focuses on three key areas:

Reduction: Actively lowering our corporate carbon footprint.
Restoration: Supporting projects that aid biodiversity and reforestation.
Curation: Showcasing eco-friendly properties, from solar-powered cabins to off-grid retreats.”

Warksburn Old Church is now officially the best Self Catering Accommodation in the entire North East of England! We are totally thrilled that our globally unique, zero-carbon, luxury holiday rental in rural Northumberland, was awarded both Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year and New Tourism Business of the Year at the prestigious 2026 North East England Tourism Awards (NEETA), held at Newcastle Civic Centre on 19 March 2026. Sponsored by train operator LNER, the ceremony is now in its 24th year.

Visit Northumberland kindly acknowledged our achievement, commenting “Northumberland businesses took home eight Golds at the 2026 North East England Tourism Awards ceremony, with the county’s businesses leading three categories outright and impressive newcomer Warksburn Old Church earning two gold awards, marking a remarkable debut on the regional stage. Warksburn Old Church, a luxury net-zero holiday cottage set in a renovated church close to Hadrian’s Wall, triumphed with two gold awards in the New Tourism Business of the Year and Self Catering Accommodation of the Year categories, a fantastic achievement to mark their first year of operation.”

The annual ceremony took place last night (19/03/26) and brought over 450 business, regional and national leaders together at Newcastle’s Civic Centre for a celebration of the North East’s visitor economy.

This twin recognition is a powerful testament to the property’s successful combination of world-class guest experience with best-in-world sustainability. Warksburn Old Church is the only church conversion in the world certified to the ‘gold standard’ Passivhaus level of energy efficiency.  Offering a ‘best of the best’ guest experience, the NEETA accolades add to the VisitEngland 5 star rating, VisitEngland Gold Award for exceptional quality and Green Tourism Gold certification which we already hold.

As Destination North East England summarised: “The annual ceremony, sponsored by train operator LNER and now in its 24th year, brought over 450 businesses, regional and national leaders together at Newcastle’s Civic Centre for a celebration of the North East’s visitor economy.

“Judges whittled down hundreds of entries as part of a rigorous judging process that involved mystery shop visits and stringent expert assessments to decide who would take home a Highly Commended, Bronze, Silver or Gold accolade.

The judges commented on Warksburn Old Church that: “the winning accommodation impressed with its active approach to sustainability, being fully net zero for carbon emissions. The guest experience is also exceptional, led by the helpful and welcoming owners, who clearly share a passion for their place of work. Inside and out, the property’s presentation was superb, with attention to detail and comfort at every step.”

Andrew Fox, chair of Visit Northumberland, said: “It is outstanding to see Northumberland having such a strong presence in the North East England Tourism Awards year after year. This fantastic outcome for Northumberland demonstrates the incredible offering we have here in the county, the quality of experiences that we can offer and the new product that continues to emerge, made clear by the fact that Northumberland has won New Tourism Business of the Year for three years running. Congratulations to everyone who received an accolade and it was an honour to watch Northumberland’s successes come to light.”

Organised in association with the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, the event was once again hosted by journalist and presenter Charlie Charlton.

Winners from the regional finals now have the opportunity to compete nationally at the VisitEngland Awards in June.

John Marshall, chair of Destination North East England, said: “All of our finalists represent the best of the best and their commitment to delivering excellence, quality and that world-famous welcome shone through the hundreds of entries we received. We often talk about how lucky we are to call this place home, and it is safe to say, if the quality of tonight’s roster of winners is anything to go by, visitors will feel privileged to experience all we have to offer too.”

Dr. Alan James, Partner at Warksburn Old Church, commented on the achievement: “We are absolutely thrilled that the judges have recognised the combination of exceptional quality and breakthrough innovation our business embodies. Our goal has always been to show that it possible to combine a truly special five-star experience – for our guests – with zero carbon operation – for our planet. This award recognises that we’re operating at the very pinnacle of the North East England tourism sector, and we’re truly humbled to receive it.

Anne James, Partner at Warksburn Old Church, added: “Beyond the pioneering energy efficiency, this project was deeply personal. We focused on sensitive conservation, ensuring heritage features like the Victorian stained glass windows were beautifully preserved. Every detail, from the individually designed bathrooms to the luxury interiors and furnishings, was chosen to make our guests feel truly indulged. It’s contemporary luxury that respects the both the history of this special building and the environment.

Successfully blending 19th-Century heritage with 21st-Century technology, the property offers guests officially the best operates with absolute zero carbon emissions, exports more energy to the grid than it consumes every year.

Exploring the Edge of the Roman Empire Immersing yourself in the ancient history of Northumberland does not mean you have to sacrifice modern comfort. Situated just a short distance from the most spectacular sections of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Warksburn Old Church offers a globally unique, Passivhaus certified basecamp for exploring Hadrian’s Wall. After a day walking in the footsteps of Roman centurions, returning to our VisitEngland 5 Star luxury holiday home allows you to unwind in an award-winning, net zero sanctuary.

Vindolanda and the Story of the Frontier No visit to the Roman frontier is complete without experiencing the ongoing archaeological excavations at Vindolanda. This site offers an unparalleled glimpse into the daily lives of the soldiers and civilians who lived here nearly two millennia ago. The museum houses the famous Vindolanda Tablets, some of the most important historical documents ever discovered in Britain. It is a deeply atmospheric place that vividly brings the ancient landscape to life, and it is easily accessible during a stay with us.

Housesteads Fort and the High Wall For those seeking the dramatic, sweeping views that define the Northumberland National Park, a visit to Housesteads Fort is essential. Perched high on the dramatic Whin Sill ridge, it is one of the best-preserved Roman forts in the country. From here, you can walk along some of the most iconic, rugged stretches of Hadrian’s Wall, gazing out over a landscape that remains as wild and untamed as it was when the Roman Legions stood guard.

Your Personalised Concierge Guides To ensure our guests experience the very best of this extraordinary region, we have curated an extensive, locally sourced itinerary. You can discover a wealth of regional historical sites, beaches, and museums by exploring our dedicated Places to Visit guide at https://warksburnoldchurch.com/places-to-visit.

Discover the North Tyne by Bike If you prefer to explore the history and exceptionally quiet backroads of the region on two wheels, Alan James has authored an exclusive, 100-page property-specific guidebook. The North Tyne Bike Ride Guide is offered completely free to our guests and provides detailed routes covering Hadrian’s Wall, Kielder Water, and the surrounding countryside. You can download your copy directly from our Guidebook page at https://warksburnoldchurch.com/guidebook.

A Private Gallery of North East Art When you return from exploring the monumental magnificence of the Wall itself, your immersion in the landscape it defines continues inside Warksburn Old Church itself. We have curated a unique, private art gallery in the property, featuring works by notable North East artists. Many of these pieces capture the iconic sites and sights of Hadrian’s Wall, allowing you to reflect on your adventures surrounded by beautiful, regionally inspired art.

Book Your Historic Northumberland Retreat Combine the raw, ancient history of the Roman frontier with the ultimate in sustainable luxury. Warksburn Old Church sleeps up to six guests across three en-suite bedrooms and features a high-end kitchen, private garden, and EV charging facilities. To secure your stay at our Green Tourism Gold and VisitEngland Gold Award winning property, please visit our direct booking page at https://warksburnoldchurch.com/book.

We are delighted that Warksburn Old Church is featured as a 5 Star, Gold Award winner on Rated Trips, the definitive website for quality assessed tourism and gastronomy, jointly operated by the AA and Visit England. Click the image below to view our listing on Rated Trips.

There is still time to book a luxurious sanctuary for the February half term. We have released last-minute availability for a short, restorative break in the heart of Northumberland. Whether you are looking to explore the dark skies of Kielder or simply relax in the consistent warmth of a Passivhaus-certified home, Warksburn Old Church offers the perfect retreat.

The offer

For stays starting any day after 16 February and checking out by the morning of 23 February, we are offering an exclusive 30% discount when you use the code HALFTERM30. This offer is available for a minimum stay of two nights, giving you the flexibility to enjoy a brief but memorable escape.

Why visit now?

February in Northumberland is a time of stark beauty and cozy evenings. Close to Hadrian’s Wall, The National Park, and the International Dark Skies Park at Kielder, Warksburn Old Church is the ideal base for a visit to this spectacular and historically rich part of the country. Holding VisitEngland 5-Star Self-Catering Rating, VisitEngland Gold Award and Green Tourism Gold our multi award-winning property ensures your comfort is paramount. As the world’s only Passivhaus-certified church converion, you are guaranteed a warm and toasty stay, regardless of the weather outside.

How to book

How to Book This offer is available exclusively for direct bookings. Secure your dates and apply your discount code HALFTERM30 using the calendar below.

The dust has settled, the credits have rolled, and we are finally able to talk about it.

Last night (9th February 2026) Warksburn Old Church featured in the major new Channel 4 documentary Guy Martin’s House Without Bills.

For us both, having lived through the painstaking renovation programme to turn a freezing Victorian structure into the world’s first Passivhaus-certified church-to-home conversion, it was a moment of immense pride. Seeing Guy Martin, a living legend who truly knows his way around engineering, inspecting our plant room and describing the project as a “blueprint for future houses” was the ultimate validation. His really positive reaction to the design details and the interior finishes is also a ringing endorsement of the superb quality of the work carried out by our Builder, David Reed, and the exceptional project team of professionals, craftspeople and suppliers who supported him.

The Response

Since the show aired, our website has been busier than it has ever been. It seems the idea of a luxury home that costs (literally) less than nothing to heat resonates with… well, everyone.

We have been blown away by the messages of support and the genuine interest in how we created a ‘Beyond Net Zero’ home with a negative energy bill, whilst also preserving the heritage of this beautiful 1875 building.

Experience it for Yourself

Whilst the TV show focused on the technical achievement, Warksburn Old Church is, first and foremost, a home. And it’s available to book, whether you’d like to experience life in a Zero Energy Cost & Zero Energy Carbon (“2ZEC”) home for yourself, or whether you’d simply to enjoy a luxury break in Northumberland, we would love to welcome you.

To say thank you for the overwhelming support following the broadcast, we are offering a 10% discount on bookings to everyone who joins our mailing list. You can sign up using the form at the bottom of this page to receive your code.

The Future is Scalable

While the documentary focused on the church as a single home, pioneering the future of ultra-efficient housing, the real story is what comes next. As we discussed with Guy on camera, this isn’t just about one holiday let; it is about proving a concept. If we can make a stone church from 1875 energy-positive, we can do it anywhere. ‘Watch this space’ for exciting news on that subject over the next few months.

So thank you to Guy, to North One TV who made the programme and, that you to everyone who watched, messaged, and visited. We look forward to welcoming you to Wark very soon.

Click the Channel 4 logo to stream the show for free. The segment on Warksburn Old Church starts at 14 min 20 sec along the timeline.

Anne & Alan