King-making Castle Assists Guinness World Record Attempt

An English castle hotel, which prides itself on making male guests feel like kings of the castle, has played a part in potentially creating a Guinness World Record-holding King of Castles.

Langley Castle Hotel, located near Hexham, has played host to Mr Karoly Toth, a Hungarian, now living in the Irish Republic, who is aiming to set an official world record by staying at 100 castles.

Langley Castle was his 80th port of call.  With just 20 castles to go following his Langley Castle stay, he is well on his way to his target.  So far, he has visited many castles in the Irish Republic, plus a few castles in Northern Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales and Italy.

Langley Castle was a natural stop-off for someone aiming for kingly status.  The medieval castle, considered the most authentic medieval fortified castle hotel in England, was built in 1350.  It was commissioned by a favoured knight of King Edward III, Sir Thomas de Lucy, who married the king’s cousin, Agnes.  It was also later owned by cousins to the English kings in exile, James Edward Stuart and Bonnie Prince Charlie.

Notably, Mr Karoly Toth’s visit came less than a month before the 337th birthday of James Edward Stuart on June 10.  The exploits of the Radcliffe brothers, James and Charles, in supporting their royal cousins, led to the death of both at The Tower of London, in 1716 and 1746 respectively.

Mr Karoly Toth dressed in a bright colour of pink throughout his stay at Langley Castle, posting numerous pictures on social media.  He sampled the Gentleman’s Afternoon Tea, as part of his experience, as well as dinner in the fine dining restaurant, Josephine’s.  

He also stayed in the luxurious Tindale Suite, inside the seven-feet-thick castle walls.  This was named after Adam de Tindale, the first Baron of Langley, who owned the estate before the castle was built in 1350.   In the room, Mr Toth was wished “a good knight’s sleep” by Langley Castle’s very own mascot, Langley Bear. 

Mr Toth also met the man filling the boots of a future head chef, set to become king of the castle kitchen.  The Guinness World Record seeker enjoyed food served by Adam Phillips, who first worked at the castle in the Noughties.  His father, Anton Phillips, was manager for 25 years, before his retirement in November 2016.

Adam re-enacted a photo staged by the head chef of his time, to help highlight the availability of a head chef role at the incredible castle right now.

Whoever fills those head chef boots will also tread in the footsteps of one who set an unofficial world record – for the world’s biggest stottie cake.  That was back in May 2017, when the then head chef, Mark Percival, created a massive pease pudding-filled stottie cake, measuring 120cm in diameter and weighing 40 kilos, for the first Northumberland Day. This was the county day that Langley Castle had championed.

With world record attempts no alien concept to Langley Castle, Mr Karoly Toth’s visit went down a storm.  The castle did all it could to deliver a kingly status during his stay, to propel him forward to help assure his success in his quest to hold a Guinness World Record.

General manager, Mohamed Serag, says, “We were delighted to welcome Mr Karoly Toth, who delved into our history and even discovered the 30 lesser-known facts about Langley Castle that we made known on our 30th anniversary in 2016.  We made sure we provided him with a stay fit for a king and wish him well with his quest to achieve his Guinness World Record.”

Anyone wishing to find more information about the right royal hospitality or wedding experience available at Langley Castle can visit www.langleycastle.co.uk  Applications to be head chef and king of the Langley Castle kitchen can be made by emailing generalmanager@langleycastle.com

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Editors notes

Langley Castle, built in 1350, is located in Langley-on-Tyne, Northumberland and is one of the few authentic, fortified medieval castles in England. It has a rich history, with strong links to Jacobite rebellions, is located just a stone's throw from the World Heritage Site of Hadrian's Wall and boasts features including battlements, seven-feet-thick walls, window seats set into the walls and the best example of medieval garderobes in Europe. It is one of the most exquisite wedding venues in the north and also offers a wide range of options when it comes to exclusive use, with the castle being available for weddings, family celebrations, Bar Mitzvahs and Bat Mitzvahs, D&D-style events and a wide variety of corporate functions.