Northumberland castle enjoys post-lockdown boom as bookings soar

Langley Castle Hotel, near Hexham, has witnessed a boom in bookings since it reopened on July 4 and its high occupancy levels are projected well in the autumn.

Guests, it would seem, feel Covid-safe within the walls of a castle that are seven-feet thick and have withstood all the Border Reivers could throw at them.

“We feel that, without knowing it, Langley has been truly spearheading UK tourism’s revival and showing what can be done to get the sector back on its feet,” says executive general manager, Margaret Livingstone-Evans.

“The Government has actually used one of our stories as part of its publicity drive to get the sector going again. We had no idea they’d done that, until we saw articles appearing!

“We now wish to inspire other hospitality providers to feel positive about the future and just work with what is possible.

"We have a host of other things coming up, from dark sky stargazing events to music in the grounds, plus new and very special wedding features that also comply with current guidelines, so we’re just doing what we can and going with the flow and it’s paying off hugely.

“If you build it, they will come. We have been highlighting our long-established Weddings for Two and have staged two already this month, one for a same-sex couple and the other for an American bride who spotted the castle’s picture in a newspaper and convinced her fiancé that driving to the other end of the country would be worth it – and it was.

“People are working with the new order, adapting, becoming more focused on what really matters and enjoying discovering that England really does have a lot to offer, if you seek it out.

"It’s now or never for some, when it comes to a castle stay, but not for all. Some just want to almost use Covid-19’s travel restrictions as an excuse to do what they were never brave enough to do before or have reimagined life and want to connect with the true English holidaying experience.”

More information at www.langleycastle.com

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