Staying at Langley Castle: A great base for exploring Northumberland

There’s something rather special about spending the night in a castle, and Langley Castle Hotel gave us the chance to do just that.

Near Hexham, this historic hotel makes a wonderful stopover if you’re travelling to or from Scotland, as well as being a great base for exploring Northumberland.

Built in 1350 by Sir Thomas Langley, the castle was designed as a secure fortress against the Scots. A magnificent four-storey tower, it has a fascinating history and was, over the centuries, owned by several powerful families, including the Percys and the Radcliffes.

In 1882, the castle was bought by Cadwallader Bates, a local historian who embarked on an ambitious restoration project. Following his death in 1902, the work was completed by his wife, Josephine, in 1905. She lived at Langley Castle until her death in 1932.

The castle then had several different uses, including a military barracks and a girls’ school, before becoming a venue for medieval banquets. In 1986, it was purchased by Dr Stuart Madnick, who transformed the historic building into the wonderfully comfortable hotel it is today.

When we stayed, the hotel staff gave us a fascinating tour of the castle, taking us right up onto the roof. Along the way, they shared stories about the building and its long history, while we enjoyed some fabulous views across the surrounding countryside.

We loved our four-poster bedroom, tucked away at the top of one of the towers. It did involve a steep climb up several flights of stairs, though - definitely not one for those with weak knees!

Before dinner, we enjoyed drinks in the magnificent drawing room before settling in for the evening menu, which included vegetarian and vegan options. And a special mention has to go to the scones served with afternoon tea, they were outstanding!

Langley Castle is a wonderful place to stay in its own right, but it also makes a grand base from which to explore Northumberland, with Hexham and its beautiful abbey, Hadrian’s Wall and the wider countryside all within easy reach.

A memorable castle stay, and one we’d happily repeat.

For more information, visit Langley Castle.