The Aldwark Manor Estate Review

When you arrive at a golf resort and your immediate response as you head up the driveway is "Wow!" then you know you have found somewhere special.

And that is precisely what happened when myself and my other half approached the stunning Aldwark Manor Estate near York. A sweeping driveway carves its way through the attached golf course and there it is in all its glory - a hotel that to all intents and purposes looks like a stately home. And I am here to tell you that when you step inside it continues to take your breath away.

This place is SPECTACULAR! If there is a better golf resort in Yorkshire then I am yet to find it.

As you would expect, the welcome we received at reception was warm and utterly professional. We were given a quick tour and then directed towards our room.

Everything about Aldwark Manor reeks class. From the stylish paintings on the walls to the furnishings you encounter at every turn. Be still my beating heart…

And it is going to get even better. They are in the process of building a world-class spa, the first part of which should be open later this year with further expansion planned for 2026.

The Accommodation

It is difficult to know where to begin but let’s start with our room.

Named Java, it was located on the second floor and within an area known as The Library - filled with books and beautiful chairs, it features a bar area with an honesty box! You simply select your drink, fill in a form, pop it in a box and it is added to your bill. I have heard of honesty boxes at more remote golf clubs but this was a first for me.

Our room was simply beautiful, with views over the golf course and the perfectly-manicured croquet lawn. We later discovered that there is also a giant outdoor chess set and assorted garden games. And you can also hire bikes to explore both the estate and the surrounding area.

Where was I? Oh yes, our room. It was huge, featuring a massive bed, two huge chairs, a table, mirror, wardrobe with ironing board, iron and hairdryer, incredible artwork, a state-of-the-art TV, free wi-fi and possibly the best bathroom I have experienced in any hotel, complete with a full range of Molton Brown products.

There is a variety of suites on offer, along with a luxury lodge with hot tub.

The Food

There is a variety of options - Elements Restaurant, Chartwell Restaurant and Bunkers Restaurant.

As you would expect, Bunkers is essentially a sports bar, the ideal place to relax with a drink and a bite to eat after playing 18 holes. Among other things, the menu features soup, nachos, sandwiches and a variety of main meals, all competitively priced.

Chartwell is open Thursday-Saturday and offers a 10-course tasting menu costing £130 per person and featuring dressed crab, lobster, scallop, beef, turbot and a great deal more besides.

We ate at Elements, and what a delight it was. With an emphasis on natural and sustainable food sources from the UK’s most dedicated farmers and food producers, the decor is gorgeous, with eye-catching artwork adorning the walls and tables affording more wonderful views of the gardens and golf course. It has a fully retractable roof and windows, allowing for alfresco dining.

But let’s not beat about the bush here - it is all about food. And boy does Elements deliver in spades.

I opted for an 8oz flat iron steak with marrow butter, rocket and parmesan salad and fries, followed by dark chocolate delice. The steak melted in my mouth, the salad was fresh and crunchy and the chips were amazing. As for the chocolate delice, Marry Berry eat your heart out. It was served with hazelnut, malt cremeux and espresso ice cream - all as light as a feather and utterly delicious.

My wife chose chicken breast with smoked celeriac, black garlic and truffle jus followed by a Yorkshire cheese plate. Suffice to say that there was nothing left when she was finished.

I also have to give a shout-out to the staff. They were both warm and friendly and extremely knowledgeable. While we were dining there was a troublesome guest who had clearly had a bad day and had decided to take it out on the staff. He ordered exactly the same main course as I had but decided it wasn’t cooked to his taste - and let everybody know about it. The way that the staff handled the situation was exemplary.

After dinner we enjoyed a couple of drinks on the patio area - the perfect end to a wonderful day.

And then there was the breakfast. At the risk of repeating myself, Wow!

The continental option includes fresh juice, breads and pastries, preserves and accompaniments, cereals, yogurt, fruit.  

But you probably won’t be surprised to learn that both of us opted for the full English breakfast. And it certainly did not disappoint. The sausage, bacon and black pudding were incredible and my eggs were cooked to perfection.

The Golf

Aldwark Manor’s golf course winds along and around the River Ure and is the jewel in the crown in these 185 acres of majestic Yorkshire countryside. It features a lot of water hazards, trees and lots of slopes - and like so many other good layouts, it proves that a course does not have to be long to provide golfers of every standard with a proper challenge.

The first is a 160-yard par three. It looks innocuous enough but there are trees to the left and out of bounds to the right and rear, with the added difficulty of the front right bunker and a large tree protecting an elevated green. The third is a great par four of 348 yards. It is a dog-leg right, with a tree lined fairway and the River Ure on the left. This is a real risk and reward hole for those who choose driver off the tee and attempt to straighten the hole. At 441 yards, the fourth is a proper challenge. A tight tree-lined fairway, with the river on the left again and a tree in the middle of the fairway and stream on the right mean pinpoint accuracy is a must. The sixth is 415 yards. No water this time but with out of bounds left and fairway bunkers to the right it once again calls for a straight drive before an approach to a two-tier green, protected by front right and left bunkers. The eighth is a terrific 526-yard par five with out of bounds to the left, a stream that runs all the way along to the right and a tree in the centre of the fairway to avoid. The front nine closes with a 355-yard par four and once again it is all about finding the fairway. It is uphill and features a large fairway bunker to the left and trees to both sides. The elevated green is protected by three greenside bunkers.

The 10th measures 450 yards but is played as a par five. A large fairway bunker to the right, tree lined fairway and large pond that runs all the way up to the front of the green, presents the challenge here. The 13th is a cracking par four that runs to 364 yards. Once again, the River Ure runs the full length of the left side and there is also a tree in the centre of the fairway. Trees to the right and a small, undulating green call for an accurate approach. Take a deep breath when you stand on the tee at 450-yard 14th where you must drive over the Ure to the narrow fairway on the other side. Find the fairway and the approach is to a narrow green protected by a huge tree to the front, pond to the right and three greenside bunkers. The 15h is a wonderful 157-yard par three that requires you to carry a giant pond to find the green. At 354 yards, the 16th is a dog-leg right with out of bounds to the left, a huge mound to the right and a blind approach shot. The 17th may only be 107 yards but it is protected by a tree to the front of the green and pond to the rear. The final hole measures 309 yards. It is another dog-leg but can be reached from the tee - however, out of bounds lurks on both sides and there is a cavernous bunker to be avoided.

Verdict

Stunning and extremely challenging golf course in pristine condition attached to a simply outstanding hotel.

For further information, please visit: https://www.aldwarkmanorestate.co.uk.