Adventure Calls You to a Hidden 14th Century Castle Hotel

Come join me as I continue to share hidden secrets in the Northumberland county series. 

The car turned into the driveway and the trees cleared to reveal an impressive fortress. One of the best restored medieval castle tower houses left in England. Found in the village of Langley, in the valley of the River South Tyne. This Grade I listed building is Langley Castle Hotel, and the place that my family and I settled upon for New Years Eve. 

Our stay 

We arrived in the late afternoon and took tea in the drawing room. Paintings of monarchs like Edward III and Elizabeth I hung over us and the roaring fire kept us cosy. The grandfather clock struck upon the hour and we headed to our rooms to prepare ourselves for dinner. 

It is pretty typical for my family and I to dress up for New Years but it was the first time we were staying in a castle for it. We donned our black tie and returned to the grand drawing room for pre-dinner cocktails. I opted for an espresso martini and wandered around the room, inspecting every little detail. The stone walls are adorned with golden-framed paintings. Miniature silver knights are high up and watch over the room. I peered through stained-glass windows and found I could see nothing but the rain lashing and the wind whipping ferociously. 

We ordered our meal in the drawing room and were called down to our dining table 30 minutes later. I chose the scallops for starters, monkfish and seasonal veg for my main, and chocolate mousse with lemon sorbet as dessert. I wasn’t crazy about the dessert, I found the sorbet and orange curd to torte for a pairing with an equally rich chocolate, but the first two courses were exquisite. 

We dined and laughed and cheered for the forthcoming new year. Then, it was dart back to our rooms and we readied ourselves for the Allendale Tar Bar’l, which you can read about here. When we returned back to the hotel, a little after midnight, my brother had brought champagne for us to toast together in the warmth. The perfect way to round off the evening and retire to bed, ready to awaken to a new year. 

Our hotel stay package included breakfast so we came down for that the next day.  I enjoyed homemade granola with berry compote, fruit salad and yoghurt. The hotel offers continental and cooked breakfast (with veggie options available too). A delicious and hearty meal ahead of our short trip back home. 

Overall, it was such a wonderful stay. We had a fabulous time and a massive thanks must go to the helpful and kind staff at Langley Castle. A place that is brimming with history and legacy, with longstanding ties to royalty and has stood firmly during raging wars. It’s a beautiful place to stay and all the more magical during New Year's Eve. 

If you do opt to stay during NYE, then I would also suggest their dinner event. It is quite a ceremonious event, with bagpipes playing as you enter the hall and feast on an eight-course dinner. The evening concludes with live music and you can go to your room with ease, instead of the dreaded commute back home amongst the New Years Eve crowds. Had we not already organised the Allendale trip, we probably would have done this and been very happy. 

The History

The history of this place is incredible. In the 12th century, the first records of it were found 200 years before Langley Castle was even constructed. The property was first owned by the Tindal family in 1165, but the castle itself was built in 1350. 

Langley Castle has had many owners over its 674 years of existence. It has stood proudly against the turbulent history of England. It has survived fires, its stewards have been beheaded, it has belonged to relatives of royalty (Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots) and it has supported Jacobite risings and the exiled Bonnie King.

Northumberland is a wildland. Due to its close proximity to the Scottish Borders, it’s a county that has endured so many battles and territorial claims. The county has the most castles built than anywhere else in England. This is pretty incredible, considering that it is also one of the largest counties with the fewest inhabitants. It’s a strategic area to control, especially during the historic Scots and English battles. 

Langley Castle had strong ties in support of the Scottish Kings. In fact, a cross stands by the road from the Castle to Haydon Bridge, commemorating their loyalty to the King of Scotland. 

If you would like to learn more about the history, then the website offers a knowledgeable read here

Langley Castle History Tour

The hotel also offers free daily tours that expand on this and we were lucky enough to attend on New Year's Day, which was great! I loved that they still offered the tour on a bank holiday and lucky thing too, because it was a very big group of us who attended. 

The history walking tour takes through different rooms of the castle and you get to visit the roof and see wonderful panoramic views of the beautiful countryside and nearby villages. We even went inside one of the towers! Inside was a chapel built by Josephine d'Echarvine that was dedicated to her late husband and blessed by the Pope. The history here is rich and diverse. You would never believe that such a building could have so much legacy attached, considering how small and relatively unknown this area of England is. 

Congham Hall Hotel & Spa

*Ad - PR stay

Sometimes you just need to get away from it all. Disappear and no one knows where you are. I certainly needed it towards the end of June. No big or bad reason why, sometimes I just want some alone time to recharge the social battery. 

Congham Hall Hotel & Spa had kindly invited me for a weekend stay and I still can’t believe how lucky I am for these opportunities. Bloxham PR did it again - You know I am always going to sing those incredible women’s praises!

I arrived early on Friday morning and enjoyed the space before checking into my cabin. The spa had my name on it for sure, and I couldn't wait for an early morning swim and soak in the hot tub. A tip for anyone visiting, please book any spa treatments in advance - they get very busy on weekends especially. I was too last minute to book something, so just a heads up! But the pool and hot tub is free to use at any time.

The Georgian manor house is every bit the country hotel aesthetic you expect to see on Pinterest. The boots all lined up, flowers on every table top, vintage furniture in the lounge areas. The spa and restaurant have a more contemporary look and it feels elevated. The cabins remind me of Scandi architecture, where the sliding doors open up and nature can be welcomed in.

Friday evening and I sipped a glass of wine as the golden glimmer of sunset enveloped the sky. Baby deer foraged amongst the wild grass. You couldn’t make this up, it was something I imagined in a film. As I journaled and listened to the soft coo of cows in the distance, I couldn't imagine being anywhere else. Over the last couple of months, I have felt a grounding sense of peace within. As a producer in the media industry, your mind is always racing ahead to the next potential obstacle. Anxiety and over-preparation become your closest friends. But despite this, I have found a way to block that noise so I can be truly present.

Now, I couldn’t give that peaceful energy away if I tried. It’s too precious. I finished my wine, closed up the blinds and sank into the glorious bed. What is it about hotel beds? How do they find the softest, comfiest bedding, and those linens are just always perfectly white and crisp. I have tried hard to replicate it, but yet to be successful. Maybe that’s why travelling can feel even more magical.

I am an early bird so I got up around 5am and began running the roll top bath outside. I grabbed my Country Living magazine, a cup of coffee and continued to enjoy my solitude. That’s the thing about Congham Hall, you can just lie back and feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere. Even though the cabins are closely located to one another, I always felt a huge sense of privacy. As far as I was concerned, I was the only person staying there.

It was a big day ahead and the forecast was sunny skies - a rare one for us presently. A morning swim to clear the mind and a hearty breakfast in The Samphire Kitchen to keep me energised, were on the cards. That Saturday, I headed to Sandringham Estate. I figured with it being my first time in Norfolk, I should go and see an iconic royal residence. The house stands in a whopping 22,000 acres estate in the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The estate has been occupied since Elizabethan times, when the manor house was constructed, and is listed as Grade II. 

I opted for just the Gardens visit as it was too hot to be inside. There are eight rooms in the house available to the public for viewing. But there are also gift shops, a restaurant, multiple cafes, St Mary Magdalene Church and the royal park, all available to visit. You easily need at least half a day if you want to explore thoroughly. The church and the park are free to roam if you want to opt out of paying tickets. But the Gardens give you great views of the house.

Whilst sunbathing, I had to get an ice cream, which fun fact - the milk is sourced from Windsor farm. It was really delicious and a big hit for the day. I leisurely made my way back to Congham Hall, but stopped off for a pub lunch at The Three Horses. It was such a cute roadside pub and the meal was so good! I inhaled my food and people watched. It was really nice to see lots of locals greet each other as you’d expect in a small village. That wholesome neighbourly energy is exactly what I search for in my future. Being back in London for two years now, I do enjoy the bustle, but I can imagine that it will later become fatiguing. Village life, where I walk my dog and say hello to people in my street, will call upon me soon.

As I sipped one last cup of tea in the cabin, I couldn't help but wonder, what was it about Congham hall that brought me so much peace? Was it the natural beauty of Norfolk, the peeled back simplicity of the cabin’s interior design? Perhaps it was the wildlife, unafraid and unabashed by my presence? All of the above and it embodied how I feel energetically. You can’t beat inner peace. When you feel this good, things align and those that do not, will be removed from your space. Don’t fight it, let it go, with ease. And if you’re really lucky, you can stand and look at an apple orchard, knowing that life couldn’t be any better right now.

Lord Crewe Arms

The family and I in front of the Lord Crewe Arms entrance. How cute are they, please?

My family and I have long been visitors of Blanchland. Being only an hour away from my home city of Sunderland, it was always a great day trip away. There is something truly magical about this honey-stone village. It feels like a world away, despite it being so close to major cities, and I think it's down to the fact that the area has been established since the Mediaeval period. Blanchland Abbey was founded in 1165, by Walter de Bolbec and in 1327 King Edward III stayed at the village during his campaign against the Scots. The cobbled streets and winding lanes lead you to the heartbeat of Blanchland, the beautiful hotel that is the Lord Crewe Arms. Initially built as a guest house for the neighbouring abbey.

The beautiful stonework of these buildings.

I have already expressed that for my family, this hotel and village has sentimental value. My father and brother are obsessed with one of their ales, Best Bitter. We have been known in the past to drive down specifically just for that! So, when the wonderful LCA team and Bloxham PR invited me for a PR stay last month, this was bigger than the already amazing opportunity! Thank you to both of them again for helping me achieve a childhood dream! I had always wanted to stay at the hotel, ever since we had first visited back when I was a little girl. This was also my first ever PR stay and to be able to experience this for the first time in the north east, was the icing on the cake. 

So, I am going to break down what you can do in 48 hours at the Lord Crewe Arms. I would love for you to journey here and experience the wonderful staff, to soak up the amazing history and experience my favourite county of England - Northumberland.

DAY ONE

You awake refreshed from the best night’s sleep in the Radcliffe suite. The stresses of city life rolls away as you open the windows overlooking the abbey and listen to birdsong. If you live in London, then you understand that high water pressure is liquid gold, so you stand in the shower and breathe out all of life’s pressures. 

Your room has an abundant selection of teas and coffees, with shortbread and fudge sweet treats as well. So, pour yourself a mug and breathe. Head down to the restaurant for a good breakfast. I opted for the avocado on sourdough toast, with poached eggs and feta cheese. 

Time to explore, so get those wellies on! March this year was wet and windy, but no such thing as bad weather, only bad attire! Plus, you are in northern England darling, expect the sun to be few and far between. No excuses though, put your field coat on and get wandering. You can enjoy circular walks around the village and there are river trails that are also perfect for dog walkers. Nearby, there is Slaley Forest which is great for woodland trails too. Once you have tired yourself out, it’s time to head back for food. 

And why not opt for the afternoon tea?

The afternoon tea menu is seasonal and you can opt for a champagne version, as well as amend for any dietary requirements. Beyond delicious were the small bites of heaven desserts. My favourite was the pistachio and rhubarb cake. The sweetness mixed with torte felt like a burst of springtime! The sandwiches were stuffed perfectly with filling. A mixture of chicken coronation, egg salad, cheese and chutney, and tuna mayo. Fair to say, I inhaled them!

The evening concludes with the world’s longest soak in the roll top bath. Full disclosure, I am not a bath person. I am a shower get-in-and-get-out kind of gal. The idea of lying in water for hours is just not my vibe. BUT, when in Blanchland…I took a deep breath and submerged. Hearing the gentle birdsong and refusing to look at my phone meant I was conditioned to just sit and soak. And when sitting was a little too much, I read. I actually read a book and it has been a while (I have succumbed to reading from a screen). I felt so at peace. No distractions. The simple joy of a book and bath. 

DAY TWO

Arise on day two and enjoy those simple quiet moments you have before the world (i.e. your mobile) interrupts it. Head downstairs for breakfast and this time, I opted for granola, with fresh fruit and yoghurt. The highlight was the berry compote and I was not the only guest to say so! 

Time to explore the historic Blanchland Abbey, because essentially, we wouldn’t have the village without it. Walking around, under those huge pillars, you will marvel at how humans built this impressive place of worship, and boggle at how it has stood for centuries, close to a 1000 years. Blanchland Abbey is humble in its décor and unassuming in its artworks. A chapel in Rome, it is not! But that’s what makes English churches, abbeys and cathedrals so interesting and diverse in its architectural design.

The beautiful Blanchland Abbey.

Onwards with our exploring of the village. Meet some of the locals along the streets and let them share stories of their home and the magic of this place. Step back in the Lord Crewe Arms for a well deserved lunch and soak in that glorious tub once more (I only have a shower back home)!

If you have journeyed to stay over the weekend, then do not pass up the opportunity for a Sunday roast. This was glorious! A classic meal to dine on with family and friends. Who can resist those giant Yorkshire puds either?!

But like all meals and time spent, it is just as much about the company you keep. I opened with this article and I wanted to highlight once more, how special this place is for my family and I. As an urbanite, it is so hard to switch off and disconnect from the outside noise, but so necessary. As I get older, I appreciate these moments even more.

I have to give my family a special shout out too - they were fully invested in shooting content with me. So much so, they were arguing on who received more close ups in the final version of my reels! And that is what ultimately made this trip so special. I can count on my family to help support me with making media content, to make me laugh as we battled through the rain and cold, and to guide me in these new experiences like PR stays, even if they don’t quite get it sometimes! I am grateful for being on this life journey, and being able to share it with the ones I love.

Whether you venture here solo, with family or friends, you will have the ultimate experience at the Lord Crewe Arms. The team there are an absolute credit to the hotel. Let this magical become your home away from home. Book now!

The dining options here are exquisite. I had slow-cooked ox cheek with panackelty, wild mushrooms, in red wine sauce.