As a kid, I enjoyed a few family holidays in a Norman Castle in Ireland, complete with secret passageways, priests’ holes, and dungeons. Ever since then, I’ve had a thing about castles. I love the mystery and romance of them. So when Peter’s extended family got together for a weekend at Langley Castle in Northumberland in the North of England, I was in my kind of heaven.
Brief History
Construction on Langley Castle began in 1350. The owner was Sir Thomas de Lucy, a captain of King Edward III. The work was completed in 1364, a year before Sir Thomas died. According to a historical guide, the castle was badly damaged by fire in 1405 and was left in ruins for 500 years. I did some digging around on Google and found out the forces of King Henry IV possibly attacked it, but it’s curious why anyone would leave it derelict for so many centuries.
Cadwallader John Bates, a historian and also the High Sheriff of Northumberland, eventually purchased Langley Castle in 1880. He began the castle’s restoration but sadly died in 1902 before the work was complete. However, his widow, Josephine, carried on, and the restoration of the castle was completed in 1914.
The current Baron of Langley and owner of the hotel is Dr Stuart Madnick, a university professor from the Boston area of the USA.
The Hotel
With its seven-foot-thick walls, crackling log fires and cosy atmosphere, Langley Castle is a peaceful refuge to escape the world for a while or else a comfortable base from which to explore surrounding Northumberland.
Set in 10 acres of beautiful gardens and woodlands, Langley Castle has 28 guest rooms with private facilities. Some rooms have four-poster beds, sauna and spa bath. It’s also worth noting that Langley Castle is registered to hold civil weddings and is a popular venue for conferences.
We stayed in Castle View, a separate accommodation building formerly the old stables but with a picturesque view of the castle.
The Area
Langley Castle is in the Tyne Valley of Northumberland, a stunning part of Britain. The countryside surrounding Langley Castle offers plenty to see and do.
Nearby Hexham, overlooking the Tyne valley, is a market town that dates back to mediaeval times. Its thriving farmers’ market is held twice a month on a Saturday. There is also a general market held in the market square weekly on a Tuesday.
Harry Potter fans can get their own broomstick lesson when they visit Alnwick Castle, home to the Duke of Northumberland and also the location for Harry’s first flying lesson in “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone”
If you want to go further back in history, you can follow in the footsteps of the Romans by visiting Hadrian’s Wall, Housesteads Roman Fort, Vindolanda, or Corbridge Roman Town.
Contact Details
LANGLEY CASTLE HOTEL
Address: Langley, Hexham NE47 5LU (UNITED KINGDOM)
Tel.:01434 688888
Langley Castle’s Website: Click here
Other Useful websites
For Langley Castle’s Website: Click here
Visit Northumberland
Visit North England
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