Slaley Hall
Jeremy Ellwood returns to enjoy a round and an overnight stay at this fine 36-hole Northumberland resort not far from Hexham
The golf Hunting: par 72, 6,530 yards Priestman: par 72, 6,273 yards
The magnificent Hunting course hosted several European Tour events around the turn of the century, and last year returned to high-level action when the Asian Tour International Series visited.
It has a liberating moorland feel early on, with beautiful azaleas and rhododendrons lining other fairways. After the steep uphill opener, back-to-back par 5s offer the chance of a fast start, although the green on the 2nd is particularly well guarded. There’s water left of 14 and on the long par-3 15th, before three testing par 4s to close.
The younger Priestman course, looking out over the Tyne Valley, boasts a network of meandering streams to negotiate.
Also play… Hexham is a very pretty parkland course with an entertaining variety of holes.
Off-course
This tastefully extended Edwardian mansion close to Corbridge was transformed into a golf hotel in the 1980s. There are suites in both the old hall and modern wing, plus a selection of Classic, Superior and Family rooms. The main restaurant – Mr Kennedy’s Brasserie – offers a relaxed setting for breakfast and dinner, or you can eat in the clubhouse and watch golfers putting the finishing touches to their rounds.
The health club features a well-equipped gym, a heated swimming pool and a soothing sauna, while the spa offers a wide range of treatments and excellent spa-break packages.
New booking service
This trip was booked through Sportshotels.com, a specialist sports accommodation website partnering only hotels of benefit to those within the sports industry. All featured hotels offer at least one facility or amenity of
Slaley Hall Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort
Hexham, Northumberland, NE47 0BX
T: 0330 107 1599
E: stay@theqhotelscollection.co.uk
W: slaleyhallhotel.com
particular importance to sports teams and individuals, from coach parking and private dining to gyms, swimming pools and, of course, golf courses. To use the service, first search a destination, then select your preferred hotel from the shortlist. You can then liaise directly with the hotel or let the Sportshotels.com team do the groundwork for you.