You know you’re heading towards something special when the country roads you’ve been travelling transform into private lanes, bedecked with roaming pheasants and culminating in grand wrought-iron gates. Partially concealed by a colony of enormous trees, behind these gates stands one of the only medieval fortified tower houses in England to be turned into a hotel, Langley Castle.

At the end of its lengthy driveway, the facade that greets you is a fusion of seven-foot-thick walls, battlements, flags, fountains and intricate mullioned windows. Inside, under a warm candlelit glow, you’ll find sumptuous drawing rooms thick with ancient tapestry, a beamed dining room covered with white napery, and bedrooms going the full medieval hog with heraldic-patterned carpets and four-poster beds. Langley Castle plays on its ancient heritage, asserting itself as the ideal establishment to make guests feel like the reigning king or queen.

With more castles than any other county in the world, there’s nowhere quite like Northumberland for a ‘lost in time’ quality, and Langley Castle is an incomparable way to experience that mystery and history. Like any good castle, the history at Langley Castle is bloody. It is fraught with battles and gruesome deaths from its border conflicts and King Henry IV’s wrath, including the execution of one of its owners and his brother. However, thanks to careful and skilled restoration, the facade looks much like it did 500 years ago. The memories of its aforementioned past preside over every corner, especially the solid oak door leading to the reception area, which houses two knights in full armoury.

Amazingly, the castle does not show any signs of its later purpose as a barracks in the Second World War, and its following incarnation as an all-girls’ school. The only hint of modernity is the collection of plush cars populating the car park and the delectable cuisine of its 2 AA Rosette Josephine restaurant. However, these contemporary luxuries are forgiven when guests see the spacious and medieval style of the castle’s 27 bedrooms.

 Of the 27 rooms, only nine are within the main castle, and these are the crown jewels of the property. With names such as The Greenwich Room, The Radcliffe Room and The Tower Room – most of which memorialise the castle’s various owners – the air of ancient regality continues into the interior. The bedchambers are draped in fabrics of scarlet red and gold, with the occasional spirited green, and flanked by thick stone walls, white damask swirl or striped wallpaper that resembles the pomp and ceremony of medieval jousting tournaments.

All are fitted with the creature comforts of today – flatscreen TV, Wi-Fi, ironing facilities, a plump seating area. However, the feature rooms take the novelty of sleeping in a castle to the next level. How does an elevated window seat, set in the thick seven-foot wall and concealed by floor-to-ceiling curtains, sound? Or would a room resembling an apartment, with a separate dressing room and sizeable bathroom, spark your interest?

The remaining 18 rooms, known as Castle View rooms, are situated in the grounds, and only 80 metres away from the castle itself. As the name suggests, this converted lodge and coach house offer magnificent views of the castle, but the rooms within are equally as splendid. Much like the rooms in the castle, the Castle View rooms have the same ostentatious medieval colour palette and include a separate lounge area, the choice of an extra sofa bed or twin beds. The Castle Lodge has an additional private terrace to enjoy your morning coffee while breathing in the fresh air of the 10-acre parkland.

Prior to dining, guests should make the most of the Drawing Room, a time capsule in its own right. A high-beamed room, the castle walls are exposed here and embellished with arched curtains, aged tapestries, and portraits of legendary monarchs and artwork depicting the castle’s history. The ornate furniture, including a miscellany of red-patterned armchairs and sofas, and a candlelit chandelier, set the scene to gaze out of the stained-glass window or bask in the heat of the roaring log fire.

The adjoining room holds the bar, with a secretive and creative ambience, similar to a small speakeasy. To appreciate the castle further, book yourself onto one of the historical castle tours, which take guests to see the murder hole and the rooftop battlements, where Hadrian’s Wall is visible, as well as the tower dedicated to 12 Garderobes (medieval latrines), the chapel and walking trails of the grounds.

Perhaps the star of the show is the Langley Castle Josephine Restaurant, 2 AA Rosette, offering a fine dining experience from either a taster or three-course menu, with all the ingredients locally sourced and food made from scratch. Each morning a member of staff will request your preferred dining hour, and at the designated time, you’ll be escorted to your table, where your favourite drinks and first course seem to appear before your eyes. Once your dish is done, an attentive waiter clears away the remains, bringing forth the next round. And so, the evening effortlessly continues.

Classic English dishes are creatively re-imagined with a lively twist. Unlike most award-winning restaurants, Langley’s has no trouble changing the dishes to meet your dietary needs. In fact, there’s the sense that they see it as a challenge to win. Among the most divine of its culinary treats is the pressed Ham Hock served with a pea mousse, a crispy hen’s egg, and topped with a slightly salty pancetta. Alternatively, opt for the wild mushroom and sweet pea risotto with braised baby leeks.

For those with a sweet tooth, the evening desserts are exceptional, but the Afternoon Tea in the Glass Pavilion is certainly an experience not to miss. With peacocks traversing the glass perimeter, the afternoon tea has an element of sophistication and class. After all, it is an afternoon pastime to pay homage to the 7th Duchess of Bedford, the inventor of this social etiquette. The Traditional Tea has a selection ranging from sandwiches, scones to cakes, while the Gentleman’s Tea offers a more savoury refreshment of pork pies, sausage rolls and quiche.

With a nearby golf course and swimming facilities, Hadrian’s Wall and numerous other castles, there truly isn’t anywhere like Langley Castle for a few days of royal pampering. Using its medieval setting, magnificent history, regal environment and divine cuisine to define itself, Langley has become – in every meaning of the phrase – a hotel fit for a king.