Northumberland-based castle, Langley Castle, has experienced its highest-ever visitor numbers from London, as residents of the capital have made a bee-line north, to stay in the most authentic castle hotel in England.
Craving the chance to drink in many original medieval features of the 1350 castle is one reason for the interest and 22% increase. The fact Langley Castle has made this such an engaging exercise, by creating daily Battlement Tours and its own children’s guide to its history – Hairy History, is another.
Guests can not only see what are regarded as the best example of medieval garderobes (toilets) in Europe for themselves but also hear and read about them, to learn more.
They can also spend time sitting in the medieval window seats, set into the seven-feet-thick walls, gaze over to Hadrian’s Wall from the battlements and climb the original winding staircase, designed to foil right-handed attackers.
Children also love all the little features that make them think of Harry Potter books and characters. As Langley Castle always speculates, perhaps it is no coincidence that J K Rowling has visited Langley.
The capital’s interest in Langley Castle seems to have been sparked as England emerged from the first lockdown. The castle had remained stoic and defiant throughout Covid-19 and boldly announced it had ‘all defences in place’, just as it had done for over 600 years. That message was picked up and used in the Government’s official staycation campaign, once lockdown restrictions were lifted.
Londoners began to arrive at Langley Castle, with those articles in hand, delighted they had learned of its incredible offering, ideal for any tourist used to perhaps visiting castles and historic attractions such as The Tower, but not having the privilege of staying in one.
Langley Castle’s own links to the Tower of London also add another twist. Two of its owners – James and Charles Radcliffe – lost their lives at the guillotine there, having led Jacobite uprisings in 1715 and 1745. In fact, Charles Radcliffe was the last Englishman to suffer this fate at the Tower.
On arrival at Langley Castle, Londoners find a World Heritage Site (Hadrian’s Wall) on the doorstep and sometimes also head to nearby Hexham Racecourse. Should they wish to Roam with the Romans, they can take a tour, right from Langley Castle’s door, with historical interpretation specialists, Ancient Britain, to discover how the Romans and native Celts lived. History-loving Londoners have relished this and been keen to absorb as much of the area’s heritage as possible.
Others have been drawn by Northumberland’s Dark Sky status and the fact Langley Castle offers special Starry Knight experiences, enabling guests to visit the world-renowned Kielder Observatory, to observe the galaxy and, at times, phenomenon such as the Northern Lights.
Dog-owning Londoners have been attracted by a download at the Langley Castle website – is a Doggy Guide to Canine Castle Capers – and have loved that doggy guests can have their own Certificate of Stay, to verify they have snoozed in such an authentic castle hotel.
And then there are the elopers – Londoners who have headed to Langley Castle because it is one of the most experienced hotels in Britain when it comes to arranging ‘weddings for two’, even having its own elopement guide.
Langley Castle manager, Margaret Livingstone-Evans, says: “We are delighted to have seen such a big increase in the number of guests visiting us from London postcodes. We believe Covid-19 has led to people wanting to get in touch with the past and really appreciating authenticity. We can offer that, plus luxurious stays, elopements, tipi, large-scale and woodland weddings, dog-friendly experiences and even whole castle hire.
“We can really help London-based travellers feel like they are stepping into another country, even if they are actually staycationing. That’s why we believe we are rapidly becoming the number one castle hotel choice for those living in Greater London.
