Throughout the UK & Ireland, many lovely courses have been built in the grounds of stately homes. These five diverse and geographically spread designs are well worth a look.
Mar Hall
The course at Mar Hall has a lovely position alongside the River Clyde
(Image credit: Mar Hall)
Although the origins of the impressive hall itself date back to 1828, the Dave Thomas golf design only opened for play as recently as 2010. The luxury hotel at Mar Hall now boasts 53 rooms as well as lodges and several dining options, and there are various stay and play packages for golfers. The course runs through the estate’s 240 acres of mature parkland bordering the River Clyde, overlooked by the towering Erskine Bridge. Strategic play is key here with specimen trees adding to the test and the need to approach the greens from the best angle. Subject of a multi-million pound investment over the last year or so, Mar Hall continues to improve and impress.
Carton House
(Image credit: Carton House)
Just fifteen miles to the west of Dublin, Carton House was the ancestral seat of the Earls of Kildare and Dukes of Leinster for more than 700 years. Originally part of a 70,000 acre estate, the main building dates back to 1739 and has been used in a number of major films. It is home to two very appealing and challenging modern courses, each designed by a recent golfing great.
The sixteenth hole on the O’Meara Course
(Image credit: Carton House)
The O’Meara opened in 2002 and its architect was the 1998 Masters and Open champion, soon followed by the Montgomerie, designed by the 8-time winner of the European Order of Merit whose home club is Royal Troon.
Middleton Hall
Looking down on the par-3 fifteenth hole at Middleton Hall
(Image credit: Middleton Hall Golf Club)
While this 19th-century house in Norfolk with its rendered façade and central Tuscan portico may not be so grand as the others featured here, it has its place in history. Adjacent to the clubhouse is the grave of a horse, Balaclava, that took part in the Charge of the Light Brigade in 1854.
The seventh hole is an attractive par four with an approach over a pond
(Image credit: Middleton Hall Golf Club)
The course itself runs through some ancient woodland, and there are some really fun holes such as the short 4th with its sloping green, the par-4 7th with an approach over water, and the very pretty par-3 15th flanking a pond. Middleton Hall is great value and a very friendly and informal place to enjoy your golf.
Slaley Hall
The closing…
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