‘Hairy History’ Stays Could be Just What the Teacher Ordered

Really want to give the kids an edu-staycation this year, coaxing them into more study in a less-than-obvious way, to make up for time lost in the classroom?  Well, when it comes to Key Stage history cramming, Langley Castle Hotel in Northumberland has the answer!

Langley Castle has an amazing history, spanning 8 centuries, so it’s made the most of its links to Romans, the Black Death, the Tudors, the Gunpowder Plot, the Stuarts, various forms of crime and punishment and much more, by publishing its own ‘Hairy History’ guide, breathing life into the ‘doings’ of well-known historic figures and the relationship that Langley’s owners – and the castle building itself - had with them, in a style kids have shown themselves to love.

You can download the guide free of charge, simply by heading to www.langleycastle.co.uk and the ‘History for Kids’ tab in the ‘About’ section.  But, you can really build on all of the edgy and fun information, if you actually stay.  That’s because you can not only see some of the things mentioned in ‘Hairy History’ but also take advantage of a daily Battlements Tour (subject to Covid regulations at the time of a stay) and tour castle features that further build the story.  

Then, if you’re still hungry for more, you could book an optional tour with local history interpreters, Ancient Britain, who will enhance your kids’ enthusiasm for history within just a few minutes of your time together.  Alternatively, just tour local Hadrian’s Wall or medieval Hexham, or seek out other things mentioned, for yourself.  It’s all just a short drive away.

All in all, it’s the perfect edu-staycation crammer, if your kids need to get better at history.  

A stay at Langley Castle can be inside the castle walls, in one of nine rooms, with family sleeping arrangements accommodated, or in the grounds, in the converted stable block, Castle View (giving the kids every chance to gaze at the castle from outside).  Rooms in the castle can be booked from a price of £279 per room per night, for room, a huge Northumbrian breakfast and Battlements Tour (if allowed to operate), whilst bed and breakfast plus Battlements Tour pricing for a Castle View room is from £179 per room.  All rooms can be booked at www.langleycastle.co.uk or by calling 01434 688888.

Tours with Ancient Britain cost from £30 per person, with a 25% reduction for children and can be booked at www.ancientbritain.org or by calling 01434 688386 for details of other possible themed tours.

If history is a hairy topic for your kids, a Hairy History stay at Langley Castle, could be just what the teacher ordered.

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.