Looking for a castle to stay in that’s fit for a king, queen and yourself?
Two castle hotels in the North East have been named among the best in England.
But with so many historic buildings across the region, you might be wondering which have featured in one of The Telegraph’s latest travel guides (and why they stand out from the rest).
From offering guests “the most expensive bathrooms behind secret doors” to where food is “taken seriously” and all the medieval décor in between, these castle hotels could be the next staycation you have been looking for.
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The Telegraph explained: “To stay in a castle is to wake up in one of England's fascinating feats of history. Battlements, suits of armour, moated forts, heavy drapes, four-poster beds, charming follies and banquets are the stuff of medieval dreams, and where these features have been present, they have been well maintained.
“You'll often find that castle breaks in England come with extra touches like free admission to exhibitions and museum tours, or private, out-of-hours access to the grounds. Furthermore, many of the following places come with mod cons, fancy restaurants, modern annexes and even smart spas.”
It continued: “Every hotel in this curated list has been visited by one of our expert reviewers, who are usually hosted on a complimentary basis.
“They stay for a minimum of one night, test at least one meal and trial other experiences that the hotel might have to offer.”
See the 12 best castle hotels in England for a historical escape here.
Travel experts name 2 North East castle hotels among England’s best
Lumley Castle
Tripadvisor rating: 4.5/5 out of 3,214 reviews
Commenting on why Lumley Castle is worth a visit, The Telegraph said: “Well, if you have a 14th-century castle, you might as well go the whole medieval hog. It’s rich, warm and dark, with heraldic-patterned wall-coverings, flag-stone floors, lavish drapes, staff in medieval costume, and lots of red velvet.
“Inevitably, the castle rooms have the most atmosphere with thumping great walls and deep-set windows, and are awash with swags and pelmets; the most expensive offer bathrooms behind secret doors and heavily draped four-poster beds.
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“Staff are irrepressibly jolly and can organise fishing on the nearby River Wear, arrange reduced rates at the neighbouring golf course and provide secure bicycle storage. The hotel has a full programme of events.”
Recommended reading:
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Langley Castle
Tripadvisor rating: 4.5/5 out of 1,763 reviews
Additionally, the publisher recommended Langley Castle for a night two away due to its "lavish rooms”.
It added: “The 14th-century castle plays up to its medieval history well with its exposed-stone walls, wood panelling, wrought-iron candelabras, suits of armour plus gilt-framed portraits and assorted heraldry.
“There’s an impressive staircase, a drawing room knee-deep in sofas, a traditional, beamed dining room, and acres of red-and-gold drapes.
Guests (and non-residents) can embark on historical tours of the castle's battlements, plus walking trails in the grounds.
“In terms of the accommodation, the most lavish rooms are in the castle and might feature four-poster beds and window seats in thick stone walls. Food is also taken seriously here.”
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