Old Thorns Hotel & Resort

Spread across 400 acres of Lincolnshire countryside near Grantham, Belton Woods pairs two very different 18-hole layouts with a full leisure offering under one roof. The Woods Course is the tighter, tree-framed test that suits club events and steady ball-strikers, while the Lakes Course opens up with more water in play, giving higher-handicap groups a friendlier second round. Guests stay in spacious, contemporary rooms and can unwind at the on-site spa, complete with pool, gym and treatment suites, before heading to the restaurant or bar overlooking the grounds. With quick access from the A1, it's a straightforward pick for couples, families or golf societies wanting everything in one place.

A short drive from Chester, Carden Park pairs two distinctly different championship courses with a sizeable country house hotel and an award-winning spa. The headline Nicklaus Course is long and bold, with generous water hazards and dramatic bunkering that rewards confident hitting, while the shorter, more sheltered Cheshire Course gives mixed-ability groups an easier round to fall back on. Having previously hosted EuroPro Tour events, the resort keeps a polished edge without tipping into corporate stiffness. Guests can choose from several bars and restaurants and unwind afterwards in the spa, making it a comfortable option for weekend trips, society outings or longer stays.

On the fringes of the Cotswolds, this resort keeps golf, accommodation and leisure within easy walking distance of each other. Its 18-hole championship course has a modern layout, wide fairways and neatly shaped greens with just enough water and elevation change to keep things interesting for a broad range of handicaps. Rooms look directly out over the course, and once the round is finished, there's a full-service spa and gym to recover in, plus a restaurant and bar suited equally to a quiet dinner or a larger group gathering.

Tucked into the East Sussex countryside near the Kent border, Dale Hill offers 36 holes across two contrasting layouts without any of the fuss of a big resort. The Old Course sticks to tradition, with tree-lined fairways and a gentler climb, while the longer, more open Ian Woosnam Course, designed by the Masters-winning golfer himself, asks tougher questions, particularly in the wind. Rooms sit right beside the courses, and a straightforward restaurant and bar handle post-round meals and drinks. It's a good-value, unpretentious base for golfers wanting variety close to London and the South East.

Set in rolling Derbyshire countryside just outside Derby, Breadsall Priory combines golf, accommodation and leisure in one place, sitting within 300 acres of private parkland around a historic priory with modern rooms and facilities. There are two 18-hole courses on-site, the Championship Priory Course with tree-lined fairways and strategic challenges, and the more open Moorland Course, which suits a wider range of abilities. There’s also a driving range, putting green and golf shop. After golf, guests can relax in the spa, take a dip in the indoor pool, or eat at Cast Iron Bar & Grill or the casual Tempo Bar. The location makes it easy to explore Derby or nearby attractions like Chatsworth House and Kedleston Hall.

Dunston Hall is an Elizabethan-style country retreat dating back to 1859, tucked away in rural Norfolk just outside Norwich and within easy reach of both the Norfolk and Suffolk coasts. It is a comfortable, four-star base for a leisurely golf break, pairing an on-site course with the kind of warm East Anglian welcome that makes it as well suited to catching up with friends over afternoon tea as it is to a full day on the fairways.

Set just outside Uckfield in rolling Sussex countryside, around 20 minutes from the coast and under two hours from London, East Sussex National is a large, purpose-built resort home to two full-length championship courses (the East and West Courses), both laid out with wide fairways and big greens. The East Course is the sterner test, having hosted European Tour events, with long par fours, water hazards and an exposed feel that brings wind into play; the West Course is more forgiving and suited to higher handicaps, making the pair a good option for mixed-ability groups. The hotel is modern and practical, with comfortable rooms, a decent-sized spa, gym and indoor pool, plus a main restaurant and bar for relaxed group dinners. It’s well placed for exploring the South Downs, Brighton or the Sussex coast if you want to add some sightseeing.

Located just outside Birmingham, Forest of Arden is a well-known golf resort surrounded by gently sloping parkland and extensive woods, home to two courses. The Arden Course is the standout, tight off the tee, well-bunkered and demanding smart course management rather than brute distance, with water hazards and tree-lined fairways that keep things lively as conditions harden. The Aylesford Course is shorter and more forgiving, a solid option for a relaxed round or mixed-ability groups. The on-site hotel offers comfortable, modern rooms geared towards golfers, with straightforward, dependable dining for post-round food and drinks, a practical base for quick getaways, society outings, or as part of a larger UK itinerary.

Forest Pines sits in wooded North Lincolnshire countryside and is built around 27 holes split into three contrasting nines — Forest, Pines and Beeches — which combine into three different 18-hole routings. The Forest and Pines pairing is the championship test, running through mature pine and silver birch with heathland-style sand and heather in play. Off the course there is a full spa with indoor pool, gym and treatment rooms, and the resort sits within a few minutes of the M180, making it one of the easier golf breaks to reach from across the North and Midlands.

Escape to one of the North West’s most relaxing destinations at Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa. Surrounded by beautiful countryside and close to some of England's best golf courses, our resort combines 4 star accommodation, exceptional spa treatments, championship golf and elegant event spaces. Whether you are planning a relaxing spa break, a golf weekend with friends, a romantic staycation or a memorable wedding celebration, Formby Hall offers the perfect balance of comfort, relaxation and unforgettable experiences.

Just outside Gloucester on the Cotswolds' edge, this hotel works less as a self-contained golf resort and more as a comfortable base for exploring several courses nearby: it has direct access to Gloucester Golf Club, with Lilley Brook, Cotswold Hills and Painswick all within easy driving distance. Inside, it's modern and unpretentious, with a decent-sized leisure club offering an indoor pool, gym, sauna and steam room, alongside a straightforward restaurant and bar serving familiar food. Good parking and an easy layout make it a practical choice for groups wanting to sample different courses across a short stay.

Hanbury Manor is a traditional English golf resort set in Hertfordshire countryside just outside London, built around a mature, Nicklaus II-designed parkland course with tree-lined fairways, well-placed bunkers and plenty of subtle movement in the greens. Accuracy matters more than power, and the course rewards good management over brute force. The old Jacobean-style manor home overlooking the grounds gives the whole resort a serene, elegant feel. Off the course, there are comfortable, well-appointed rooms, a spa, and dining ranging from relaxed clubhouse food to more formal options in the manor. It’s a popular choice for short breaks and corporate trips, and for golfers who want a classic UK golf experience without travelling far from the capital.

Set in rolling countryside near Daventry, Hellidon Lakes offers a calm, easy-going golf break with plenty to do off the course too. The 18-hole championship course, designed by David Snell, is laid out around two lakes with tree-lined fairways, gentle elevation changes and a mix of forgiving and more demanding holes; accuracy is rewarded, especially when the wind picks up, and the course suits a wide range of handicaps. Off the course, the hotel is comfortable rather than flashy, with modern, practical rooms, relaxed dining and a bar for post-round drinks. The on-site spa, gym and pool make it a solid choice for mixed golf-and-leisure trips or groups that include non-golfers.

Perched on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, Hollins Hall trades flash for scenery and straightforward, traditional golf. Ross McMurray's 18-hole parkland course climbs gently through the landscape, favouring careful shot placement over power, especially once the wind gets moving across the higher ground. The hotel has more of a classic country club atmosphere than a modern resort feel, backed by a leisure club with pool, gym, sauna and steam room, and a bar and restaurant that suit a relaxed meal after the round.

Set just outside Morpeth in the Northumberland countryside, Macdonald Linden Hall feels like a proper country escape without being hard to reach, built around a 19th-century country house with traditional interiors, spacious lounges and views over parkland and woodland. Golf is centred on the on-site 18-hole parkland course, with tree-lined fairways, water on several holes and a steady, rolling feel that rewards positioning and patience rather than power — well suited to mixed-ability groups and society trips. Rooms are comfortable and classically styled across the main house and a modern wing, dining is straightforward via a main restaurant and bar, and the spa (pool, sauna, steam room, treatment rooms) adds variety for groups that want more than golf. Newcastle is under an hour away, with the Northumberland coast and castles easy day trips.

MacDonald Portal offers two contrasting championship courses set in rolling Cheshire countryside just outside Chester: the Championship Course, a modern parkland layout with generous fairways, large greens and enough water hazards to stay interesting without being overly punishing, and the shorter, more forgiving Premier Course, ideal for a relaxed round or second day of play. Accommodation is on-site in a modern hotel with comfortable rooms, a bar, restaurant and spa facilities, with a casual, golfer-friendly atmosphere rather than a formal one. The spa, gym and pool are a bonus for non-golfers or downtime after a round, and the location makes it easy to combine golf with a visit to Chester, Liverpool or the North Wales coast.

Mottram Hall sits in Cheshire countryside near Wilmslow, around 30 minutes from Manchester, blending a historic country house exterior with modern interiors for character without feeling dated. Golf is the main draw, with an 18-hole championship parkland course featuring tree-lined fairways and water on several holes, a layout that rewards sensible course management rather than raw length, enjoyable for mid-handicappers but still testing for better players. Off the course, there’s a well-regarded spa, indoor pool, gym and treatment rooms, a good option for groups travelling with non-golfers. Dining centres on a modern restaurant and bar serving straightforward British and European dishes, with the location close enough to Manchester for a night out but quiet enough for a relaxed break.

A Grade II listed Georgian country house on the edge of Leeds, Oulton Hall pairs restored formal gardens and a grand interior with 27 holes of parkland golf laid out across the estate. The course plays as three nines that combine into different 18-hole routings, with mature trees and water shaping most of the better holes. Inside there is a spa with indoor pool and treatment rooms, several dining rooms, and enough function space to make it a regular choice for societies — and it is close enough to the M62 and M1 to work as a base for golf across Yorkshire.

Known as the “Augusta of the North,” Slaley Hall sits just outside Hexham in quiet Northumberland countryside, within easy reach of Newcastle, and is built around two contrasting championship courses: the Hunting Course and the Priestman Course. The Hunting Course is the headline act, long, tree-lined and demanding, having hosted multiple European Tour events, with generous fairways in places but punishing misses and quick, well-protected greens. The Priestman Course is shorter and more forgiving, ideal for a second round or mixed-ability groups. Accommodation is comfortable and practical, the clubhouse is central to the resort, and the spa is a popular bonus for non-golfers or post-round recovery, with both relaxed bars and more formal restaurants. Hadrian’s Wall is nearby and Northumberland National Park a short drive away.

Telford Golf & Spa Hotel overlooks the Ironbridge Gorge UNESCO World Heritage Site and sits amid acres of Severn Valley countryside, making it a scenic and relaxed base for golf in Shropshire. The hotel combines a good spread of leisure facilities with genuinely warm hospitality, and the peaceful setting makes it an easy place to unwind once the round is finished.

Few English golf resorts carry the name recognition of The Belfry, sitting just outside Birmingham with easy motorway links and decades of championship history behind it. The Brabazon has staged multiple Ryder Cups and remains the star attraction, packed with risk-reward holes and prominent water hazards. The PGA National brings a tougher, more modern test, while The Derby offers a shorter, gentler warm-up round. Expect a busy, well-run resort with modern rooms, a spread of dining options from casual bars to a smarter restaurant, and a spa and leisure complex for downtime between rounds.

The Golf Hotel at Woodhall Spa sits right opposite the National Golf Centre, home of English golf, making it one of the most convenient bases in England for a proper heathland golf trip, with a short walk to the first tee of the famous Hotchkin Course, regularly ranked among the UK’s best for its firm fairways, heather-lined holes and deep bunkers. The Bracken Course offers a slightly more forgiving round with the same thoughtful design. The hotel itself is traditional and comfortable, with a relaxed country-house feel, well-kept rooms suited to golf groups, and a welcoming bar and restaurant for easy evenings. Woodhall Spa village is small and pleasant with a few pubs and cafés, but golf is very much the main focus here.

Within easy reach of London in the Thames Valley countryside, The Springs offers an unfussy, well-maintained golf break with a contemporary feel throughout. Designed by Brian Huggett and Tim Lobb, the parkland course keeps fairways wide and elevation gentle, with water hazards placed to add interest rather than punish mistakes. Guests stay on site in comfortable, modern rooms, and evenings tend to centre on the clubhouse restaurant and bar. It's a relaxed pick for society trips or short breaks from the South East.

Herons’ Reach sits on the eastern side of Blackpool, offering a quieter setting than the seafront but still a short drive from the promenade and town centre. The resort is built around an 18-hole parkland course with water hazards, mature trees and well-shaped holes that work well for mixed-ability groups where strategy matters more than length. The hotel is modern and practical, with comfortable rooms and bright, contemporary public areas, geared towards a golf-focused stay rather than a luxury escape. A health club with pool, gym, sauna and steam room is a big plus after a round, along with a bar and restaurant serving straightforward British and international dishes and Blackpool’s restaurants, bars and attractions are close by for evenings out.