Langley Castle is a hotel usually beloved because of its extraordinary and awe-inspiring
medieval architecture. This undoubtedly provides it with a truly fairy-tale persona. What
are often overlooked, however, are the beautiful and extensive lawned and wooded grounds,
covering 10 acres around the castle hotel. These provide guests with the opportunity to
relax amidst nature. They also facilitate that most pleasant of things – viewing the castle
from outside and not just within.
This can easily be done from a bench outside the castle, or if you make your way to the
summerhouse. From the summerhouse, your view of the front of the castle will be
punctuated by sunshine cascading through jets of water from the fountain outside. The
picture-perfect scenario is completed by the greenery provided by charming topiary bushes.
Walks and reflection
If it’s more solitude you desire, head to our woodland wedding area. This provides a perfect
short walk after enjoying dinner in the 2AA Rosette ‘Josephines’ restaurant, or the relaxed
dining environment of the spellbinding Drawing Room. In the naturally shaded grove, there
are rustic benches, on which you can sit and pause. By day, maybe even enjoy a spot of
meditation, as the sunshine cascades through the leaves of trees all around you.
Nearby, you will find the graves of former owners of Langley Castle – Cadwallader John
Bates and his wife Josephine d’Écharvines, after whom the restaurant is named. You will
also discover that two of the nine rooms inside the castle walls are also named after this
couple, who dedicated so much time and effort to restoring Langley Castle authentically, at
the end of the 19th century.
Dog-friendliness and wildlife spotting
The grounds are a perfect place in which you can walk your four-legged friend (but please
clean up after them!) Dog-friendly accommodation is available in dedicated rooms within
Castle View, just a short stroll from the castle.
Whilst walking down to Castle View, or a little further to Castle Lodge, you may see the
grounds’ most famous residents – the Langley Castle peacocks. They adore putting on a
show for visitors, displaying their glorious colours almost on command.
The peacock colour palate has been reflected in a 2026 refurbishment of furniture inside the
Josephine Restaurant, open to residents and non-residents alike. This is where castle hotel
guests enjoy their hearty Northumbrian breakfast and where non-residents can book a table
for dinner or a traditional Sunday lunch. It is also the venue for special themed events and
dinners, available on a ticketed basis.
Greenery is all around you at Langley Castle, which is why wildlife, including rabbits and
squirrels, love darting around the grounds. Visit in autumn and you may come across
conkers under the horse chestnut trees near the car park, inviting you to find some string
and have a game.
Other things to discover in our castle hotel grounds
Other things to find in the castle hotel grounds include the bench dedicated by the local
Jacobite Society, in honour of James and Charles Radcliffe, former barons of Langley and
owners of the castle in the 18 th century. As cousins to the royal Stuart family in exile from
Britain, they were instrumental in Jacobite uprisings in 1715 and 1745. Following those
events, both brothers suffered execution at the Tower of London. Walk a little way down
the road from Langley Castle and you will find a memorial to them both, created by
Cadwallader John Bates.
You will also stumble upon a modern take on medieval stocks close to the castle. Feel free
to have your picture taken and imagine yourself a medieval felon about to be pelted with
rotten vegetables!
Walks and tree identification!
Various walks are available across the grounds, with details at reception, for those wanting
to explore more than the obvious pathways and routes around the castle building
However, the most recent thing to find within the grounds are some of the 40 new Cornus
Florida American dogwood trees, planted, in part, by local schoolchildren from both Hexham
Sele First School and Shaftoe Trust Academy. This was an initiative that helps celebrate the
40th anniversary of Langley Castle as a hotel and restaurant. If you walk down the drive to
the area beside the road and to the right of the castle gates, you will find plaques that
highlight which child planted which tree.
The species of tree was specifically selected by the Baroness of Langley, Dr Mariann
Madnick, being one of her favourites. It is sure to bring dramatic and stunning flower and
colour displays during the year and reflect her and Dr Stuart Madnick’s American heritage.
It is the latest landscaping project that the owners have brought to Langley Castle during
the Madnicks’ 40-year ownership.
Dark-sky experiences at Langley Castle Hotel
Finally, explore the grounds by night in the autumn and winter and you will be able to make
the most of Langley Castle’s location in an acclaimed Dark Sky Park. Stargaze at a site with
little light pollution and you could even spot the International Space Station passing over. If
you wish to really throw yourself into this, check out our special Starry Knight packages, run
in conjunction with the world-famous Kielder Observatory.
All of this should provide compelling grounds for booking a stay at Langley Castle. To check
out room rates and offers, please click here.
