The Manor House Golf Club Review

If you have never been to the Cotswolds then I strongly advise you to put that right as soon as possible. It has become a popular destination for tourists and holidaymakers but is somewhere that I had not visited until this year.

A couple of months ago I enjoyed a golf trip to the Cotswolds Golf Hotel, where, despite two days of unrelenting rain, I came away vowing to return.

And I did not have to wait long. 

I have consistently admitted that I am incredibly fortunate to do what I do. Whenever I believe that I have visited the best golf resort, another one comes along and blows my socks off. And it has just happened again, this time at The Manor House in Castle Combe.

Castle Combe is an impossibly beautiful, picture-postcard village where it appears that time has chosen to stand still. If it does not take your breath away then I would suggest that you are already dead! Row upon row of period cottages, babbling brooks, stunning countryside, amazing country walks, pubs and eateries.

The Manor House

And at the heart of it all lies The Manor House, a magnificent 14th-Century building that simply reeks of history and oozes class and is located in glorious grounds, with an Italian garden. It is an assault on the senses in the best possible way.

Each and every room is different. Our bedroom was vast, featuring a huge bed, a welcome bottle of sparkling wine and hand-crafted chocolates, huge flat-screen TV and every facility known to man. This is proper five-star luxury. But the biggest surprise came in the bathroom, which featured one of the largest baths I have ever seen, a state-of-the-art shower, his and hers sinks, Moulton Brown toiletries - and a TELEVISION!

I could easily have spent our entire stay in our suite. It also goes without saying that the quality and standard of service was equally out of this world. My wife and I were both struck by the fact that every member of staff we met had smiles on their faces and went out of their way to make us welcome.

The Castle Inn

It is possible that at some point in my life I have eaten better food than that enjoyed by myself and my wife at the Castle Inn but I can’t remember where or when that might have been. The fayre on offer at this traditional inn is simply different class. 

I should explain that the Castle Inn, which is a five-minute walk from the hotel, is part of the set-up. You can eat in the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant or at the inn. This is not just any 12th-Century inn though - it is a 2AA Rosette-winning inn.

I opted to start with Confit Garlic & Thyme Marinated Olives while my wife went for the Castle Inn Bread Box, Piccalilli & Smoked Butters. It may all sound pretty simple but the olives were spectacular and the home-baked selection of breads were wonderful. For main course I chose Steak Frites, 8oz Bavette Steak, Sun-Dried Tomato & Confit Garlic Butter, Fries, Rocket & Old Winchester Salad while my wife went for the Chicken Kyiv, Bath Soft Cheese Butter, Black Garlic, Broad Beans & Tenderstem Broccoli. No words of mine can do justice to the quality of this food. Suffice to say that the steak melted in my mouth, the chips were cooked to perfection and the salad was delicious. My wife reported that the Chicken Kyiv was the best she had ever eaten.

And then there were the desserts. OMG! My Eton Mess Panna Cotta, Pink Peppercorn & Mint Meringue, Fresh & Macerated Strawberries was sensational. And my wife’s home-made chocolate ice cream featured chunks of chocolate. A meal from the heavens!

The atmosphere was relaxed and friendly. The Castle Inn is a must-stop if you are visiting this area during the winter, featuring a roaring fire and, as you would expect, a fabulous selection of wines, beers and spirits.

Breakfast

We had breakfast at the Manor House and you will surely not be surprised to learn that it did not disappoint. There is a vast array of cereals, fruit, smoothies, freshly-made juices along with a mouthwatering breakfast menu. My smoked salmon and fried eggs did not disappoint and my wife’s full English was a feast of beautifully-prepared local produce - bacon, eggs, sausage and mushrooms all cooked to perfection that set her up for the day.

The Course

The Manor House, which is located within 365 acres of spectacular parkland, features tree-lined fairways, several beautiful (and treacherous) water hazards, white fluffy sand, perfectly manicured fairways and stunning putting surfaces.

The first is a 363-yard par four set on the edge of a motte and bailey fortification and the opening drive needs to carry part of this. Find the fairway and you face a short iron to a deep but narrow green. Don’t go long and left. The second is a 151-yard par three played to an undulating green. Hitting the green is important as a brook will catch a wayward tee shot. Oh, and there is out of bounds at the back of the green and bunkers front and right. The third is a 600-yard par five, the longest hole on the course. It is played through a narrow avenue of trees, with fairway bunkers to be avoided. There is also a well-placed fairway bunker waiting to catch your second shot before an approach to a green protected by bunkers and trees. The fourth is a long par three, measuring 200 yards - a cavernous bunker will gobble up anything short and the green, with further bunkers to the right, is set at an angle. A tough hole! The sixth is another par five, this time measuring 507 yards. You drive over water and then have to negotiate a mound on the corner before reaching a long and narrow green protected by a large oak tree. The front nine closes with a testing par three of 183 yards that is played to a three-tier raised green protected by a deep bunker at the front.

The 11th is another terrific par three, measuring 222 yards. It plays downhill but usually into the wind - there is out of bounds left, trees right and a green well protected by bunkers. The 12th is a 498-yard par five that will take your breath away. It doglegs across a valley with thick rough, a valley, lake, brook and bunkers all having to be negotiated. The green is undulating. Settle for a par and move on! The 13th is proof positive that a par four does not have to be long to provide a challenge. It measures just 298 yards and is a true risk-and-reward hole. Common sense dictates an iron or utility club from the tee although for some the green will be in range but miss the fairway and you are struggling. The 15th is a 492-yard par five and features one of the more generous fairways on the course, but there are trees left and right and your second shot will require you to carry vast bunkers if you are going for a long green protected by further bunkers to the right and a hollow to the left. The 17th is another gorgeous par three, this one measuring 154 yards. It drops down 120 feet to two greens. The right green is protected by the River Bybrook while the left green is undulating and features bunkers and water. A gem! The final hole is a beautiful par four of 384 yards with trouble left and right. The ideal drive is to the left, which opens up the green for your approach.

Manor House also boasts a stunning clubhouse with gymnasium, well-stocked bar and a sumptuous menu. Food options include everything from sandwiches to madras beef curry, assorted burgers, chips, hot dog, cheese and ham toastie and sausage and mash.

The clubhouse is open from 8am until 5.30pm during the winter and from 7.30am until 8pm in summer.

There is an open-air driving range and a well-stocked (and welcoming) golf shop.

Green fees range between £65 and £105 depending upon what time of year you play. They have some great winter deals - and the good news is that this is a golf course that clearly drains well and is ideal for year-round play.

Things to Do

The Cotswolds is a haven for walkers and nowhere more so than Castle Combe. From the Manor House there are three recognised walks, ranging from 30 minutes to three hours. They all follow clearly-defined pathways through breathtaking scenery - the perfect way to work up an appetite for when you return. The Manor House grounds also feature a tennis court and giant chess set. It is also only a short distance from Castle Combe Circuit, home to many race meetings, as well as car and motorcycle track days and a racing school. 

Verdict

Amazing accommodation, wonderful food, fabulous golf course, stunning countryside, beautiful village, warm and friendly service - what more could anybody possibly want?

For further details, please visit https://www.exclusive.co.uk-the-manor-house.