A hidden gem located just outside London: Stay and Play at Brocket Hall
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Brocket Hall has played a part in some iconic films such as Pride and Prejudice, Rocketman, and Jonny English this tranquil location is fit for any golfing getaway.
Tucked away in the woods, just 22 miles from Central London and a wedge flick from the A1, Brocket Hall is a true gem. This golf haven is a hidden beauty in the Hertfordshire countryside. There are an abundance of golf courses around London you must play, whether that be Wentworth, Walton Heath, or The Berkshire I think you can now add Brocket Hall to that illustrious list.
Spread out over 543 acres and with one of the UK’s grandest stately homes at its heart, it is home to two excellent golf courses, a world-class restaurant, and accommodation to match. In short, all the ingredients you will need for a great escape…
THE COURSES
The Melbourne
The par-72 Melbourne Course opened in 1992, named after the 2nd Lord Melbourne and created by Peter Alliss and Clive Clark. It meanders up and down the Estate, crisscrossing the River Lea on multiple occasions and keeping you alert throughout. Its closing hole boasts an iconic finish in front of the Hall after a ferry ride to the 18th green. It may well be one of the most memorable finishes to a round you’ll ever play.
The Palmerston
In contrast to the Melbourne, the tree-lined Palmerston moves away from the river and into the Estate’s ancient woodland. Created seven years after the Melbourne by Donald Steel, it was named after Lord Palmerston, the second Prime Minister to call the Estate home. Water is no issue here, but you’ll play through ancient woodland of rare Hornbeam, Scots Pine, and 500-year-old oak trees. Wicked bunkers, undulating greens, and tight fairways elevate the challenge still further from tee to green.
Signature hole
The Melbourne’s 523-yard par-5 18th has a blind tee shot but with plenty of room. You’ll do well to get there in two shots with the approach guarded by The Broadwater Lake. The green sits teasingly on the other side and will either punish or reward the golfer who chooses to go for it.
THE ROOMS
Brocket Hall has 30 beautiful bedrooms, including eight feature suites which each boast original oil paintings and period-appropriate furnishings. The 18th-century ambiance of the Estate spills over into Melbourne Lodge, a Grade I-listed Georgian Coach House which offers 16 luxury en suite bedrooms. Housed in the Estate’s former stable block, each room is named after one of the great racehorses of the day and combines the heritage and luxury of a bygone era with the conveniences of the modern day.
FOOD AND DRINK
The lakeside Auberge du Lac is a modern British dining experience set in the Estate’s former hunting lodge. Its location is as breathtaking as the food created by Head Chef John Barber. A seven-course
tasting menu (£85pp) with optional French Wine Flight (£50pp) showcases Barber’s brilliance and the very finest organic ingredients grown on the Estate. Each dish is beautifully executed, and minimalist without compromising on quality or taste. At the end of seven phenomenal courses, take a walk down by Broadwater Lake and drink in views of the course and Brocket Hall itself, which in the evening lights up beautifully on the hill.
THINGS TO SEE AND DO
Surrounded by 543 sprawling acres, Brocket Hall is a venue that offers much more than just golf during your stay. Activities have been embedded in the culture of the Estate for centuries, most notably the Sport of Kings. During the 18th century, regular race days took place on a private racecourse that circled the Estate. That track is no more, but echoes of its past remain and are brought to life in the renovated Melbourne Lodge, which was home to the Estate’s steeds in its previous life.
Today, Brocket Hall offers activities that make the very most of the Estate, from clay pigeon shooting and archery to rally kart racing. You are also within easy reach of London and its many and varied charms, though why you’d give up the peace and tranquillity of the Estate, we really don’t know.
Stay and Play Deal
From Monday to Thursday
1 Night & 1 Round – From £190.00pp
1 Night & 2 Rounds – From £285.00pp
Friday to Sunday
1 Night & 1 Round – From £220.00pp
1 Night & 2 Rounds – From £345.00pp
1 Night & 2 Rounds (Sunday Driver) – From £282.00pp
LOOK AND FEEL
The enchanting atmosphere of the estate rolls through the hills. There doesn’t seem to be a thing out of place, from the blades of grass to the on and off-course facilities. The staff are super friendly and welcoming and are there to offer a helping hand with whatever you need. When you pull up to the gate and buzz your way on site it feels on as if you’re intruding but in fact, it’s quite the opposite with the laidback and welcoming feel to the place.
About the author
Will Shreeve-Peacock – Golf Equipment Writer
Will is an expert in golf shoes, GPS watches, rangefinders, and training aids.
He has a degree in journalism from Sheffield Hallam University and four years’ experience working in golf retail with American Golf where he was trained by a host of the big-name manufacturers.
A six-handicapper, Will has played golf for more than a decade and is a member at Burghley Park Golf Club in Stamford, Lincolnshire.
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Stay and play review of Brocket Hall
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18th Hole on The Melbourne Course at Brocket Hall
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The room in the Melbourne Lodge at Brocket Hall
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Food at the Auberge du Lac restaurant at Brocket Hall
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The Melbourne Club at Brocket Hall
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The Melbourne Golf Course
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The Palmerston Golf Course
