Castle Stays Soar in Popularity Thanks to ‘The Traitors’

A unique 4-star hotel accommodation in Northumberland, England, celebrating its 675th birthday this year, is experiencing what it calls ‘The Traitors Effect’, as Brits who are obsessed with the hugely popular BBC TV show seek to find their own route to staying in a luxury castle.

Langley Castle, located just a short drive from Hexham and beautifully situated in 10-acre lawned and wooded grounds, is benefiting from the exposure that castle life is receiving on the game show.  Those who are booking stays differ from the usual profile of guest, which can usually be defined as a history enthusiast, a romantic seeker of a fairy-tale experience, or a family seeking to spark kids’ imaginations through a castle stay.

Added to these typical guests are the overseas visitors, who relish the fact that Langley Castle is probably the most authentic fortified medieval castle hotel in England, with battlements and the best example of medieval garderobes in Europe.  The north east castle’s strong links to the Stuart monarchy and the Jacobite uprisings, through the much-lauded Jacobite heroes, the Radcliffe brothers, also typically ticks a box.

But the ‘Traitors visitor’ can be anyone who simply wants the thrill of sleeping in a four poster bed and living life as a knight or lady.  The profile of this future guest is proving to be couples seeking an escape with a difference and often considering a castle stay for the very first time.

“Many of those who are currently booking had not seen castle stays as something to put on their to-do list”, says general manager, Mohamed Serag. “The Traitors has opened their eyes to the thrill of living within historic castle walls and having a staycation break with a huge difference.  Many had not realised that a castle like Langley Castle existed, with many choices on the market being castles really only in name, full of modern embellishments that make the castle label just a façade. That is certainly not the case here.”

The seven-feet-thick walls of Langley Castle, the raised window seats set into them, and all the features of a property that somehow retained its historic legacy, make Langley Castle simply fascinating.  As a result, it offers daily Battlements Tours that are hugely popular and enjoyed by guests and non-residents alike.   The very fact such a tour is possible highlights that there are many true castle features to appreciate.

With nine Feature and Deluxe rooms inside the castle and 19 rooms for more moderate budgets in the castle grounds for those who are happy to simply relax  or dine in the castle (whether for the hearty Northumbrian breakfast, a relaxed or 2AA rosette meal, or a glorious afternoon tea), there are lots of ways to live out a Traitors fantasy at Langley Castle.  With non-residents also able to enjoy meals or afternoon teas at the castle, some are taking that opportunity and using that as an entrée to a possible future stay.  Others are focusing on the self-catering option of Toll Bar Luxury Villa, which also allows guests to castle hop and take meals or leisure time within the castle.

“We have also had enquiries about whole castle hire from groups considering how they could put on their own version of a Traitors game and from couples who are planning their wedding and wondering if they could incorporate a Traitors theme” says Mohamed Serag.  “When the exclusive use hire charge is split between couples, it’s actually extremely affordable.

As it stands, the Tower Room, at the very top of the ancient Langley Castle staircase, is proving the most popular with those planning an overnight stay.  Perhaps there’s something about that which reminds of the Traitors’ meeting room? In Langley Castle’s case, however, it’s not murders that will be plotted there, but ways to make the most of a 4-star castle hotel that sits just a short drive from Hadrian’s Wall, in a Dark Sky zone and in some of the most glorious Northumberland countryside to be found.

Head to www.langleycastle.co.uk to discover how to plot your own Traitors-style stay.   

Notes to Editors

Accommodation at Langley Castle is offered both inside the historic property, in ‘Castle View’ suites and rooms in the grounds, in ‘Castle Lodge’ and in a recently converted self-catering option called Toll Bar Luxury Villa.

In-castle accommodation is offered in Feature and Deluxe rooms and costs from £275 per room per night, inclusive of hearty Northumbrian breakfast.

Castle View accommodation is priced according to whether a suite or room is chosen, with rooms costing from £195 per room per night for bed and breakfast.

Castle Lodge rooms cost from £155 per room per night for bed and breakfast.

Toll Bar Luxury Village, which is a two-bedroomed property for two couples, or a family of two adults and two children using the two rooms, costs £375 per night.  Guests staying in this accommodation are able to ‘castle hop’ and make use of the castle facilities for relaxation in the glorious  Drawing Room and for dining (either in the Drawing Room or 2AA Rosette Josephine restaurant), if they wish, even arranging to have breakfast in the castle, if they do not wish to cook.  

Langley Castle sits on the A686 that connects Penrith with the A69. Guests approaching from Penrith can enjoy what the AA has deemed one of England’s ‘Ten Great Drives’ and which includes an ascent up to 1900 feet, up Hartside, affording glorious views of the Eden Valley.  With this then followed by a drive through the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the experience is not-to-be-missed.

Langley Castle lies just 33 miles from Carlisle and 29 miles from Newcastle.  The historic town of Hexham is a 13-minute drive away and Hexham Racecourse, with a regular race programme, is just 7 miles away.

Exclusive-use castle hire is available for weddings and private functions and costs from £16,000.  This provides the group with 25 rooms and private use of facilities within the castle.  Wedding parties have the option of charging back the room element to their guests, helping to reduce the overall cost of a magnificent castle wedding.

Function rooms can accommodate over 150 guests, whilst events held in the grounds can cater for up to 4000 guests.

Ends

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.