Langley Castle, Northumberland
A Brief Introduction to The Scottish Marches
The cover image is courtesy of Langley Castle.
Built during the Late Middle Ages, Langley Castle sits on the Anglo-Scottish border. Also known as the ‘Scottish Marches’, the divide encompassed the border areas of southern Scotland and northern England. This region includes parts of modern-day Scottish counties, such as Dumfries and Galloway and English counties, including Northumberland and Cumbria.
This setup partitioned the border region into three clear zones on both sides: the West March, the Central March, and the East March. While the border aimed to create a neutral division between the two countries, dividing each March, there was still some overlap between the Scottish and English territories.
The Anglo-Scottish border and the Marches. From Graham Robb’s The Debatable Land: The Lost World Between England and Scotland – Maps.
A reduction in hostilities and border conflicts came in 1603 when James VI of Scotland also became James I of England through the Union of the Crowns. This personal union under one monarch reduced the need for border warfare and marked a significant shift in the relationship between the two nations.
While the border region continued to have its share of local conflicts and disputes for years to come, the focus of international conflict shifted away from the Anglo-Scottish border. The area gradually became more peaceful and integrated into the kingdoms of Scotland and England.
Stay at Langley Castle
Langley Castle is one of the few medieval fortified castle hotels in the country. Initially built in the fourteenth century, it served primarily as a defensive fortress along the aforementioned Anglo-Scottish border, protecting England against Scottish raids during a period of frequent conflict. While Langley Castle was fundamentally a military structure, it also had residential quarters and was likely used as a base for local officials and administrators to manage the area’s affairs.
During the sixteenth century, Langley Castle came into the possession of the Radcliffe family. The Tudor owners likely made some architectural modifications, but many of its original features still endure. Today, Langley Castle has been transformed into a luxurious hotel. With unique feature rooms, its rich history as a medieval fortress makes for genuinely magical accommodation. It has a range of restaurants offering seasonal produce and also welcomes dogs.
Dining room at Langley Castle. Image courtesy of Langley Castle.
Historic Properties Nearby
Hexham Abbey (8 miles)
Hadrian’s Wall (19 miles)
Alnwick Castle (58 miles)
Visitor Information
For more details on the accommodation, check out Langley Castle’s website.
Contact Details: email reception@langleycastle.com or call +44 1434 688888.
Address: Langley Castle Hotel, Langley, Hexham NE47 5LU.
