Could this become north east England's best golf destination?

County Durham's Ramside Hall is serious about fulfilling its vision to become the finest golf destination in the North East of England, as it is making enhancements to its two championship courses as part of a major investment.

Following the opening of The PIN last month - a vibrant new entertainment hub with bowling, big-screen sport and a 43-bay Toptracer range - attention is now turning to the course work itself. Work is already well underway on significant updates to the venue’s Cathedral and Prince Bishop’s courses, alongside the addition of a new floodlit short-game area - complementing the new range and academy - that will complete Ramside’s first-class practice set-up.

The Cathedral Course, which opened for play in 2014 and was the handiwork of designer Jonathan Gaunt, is undergoing significant changes that will reshape how it looks and plays. Led by Course Manager Shaun Embleton and his team, the project includes splitting the old par-5 7th into two new holes, a short par-4 and a par-3, along with a full reworking of the former 17th to create a dramatic new finishing hole beside the clubhouse balcony.

The wider work also involves new grasses and more naturalised roughs, giving the course a stronger inland-links feel.

"The 7th and 17th were always the holes that sometimes came up for debate when looking at areas where we needed to improve the layout," says Embleton. "We’ve redesigned them to become two of the standouts.

"The new 18th will deliver a really dramatic finish over water and hopefully one of the best closing holes in the North East."

He adds: "We’ve introduced new grass types around the bunkers and added areas of hay grass to give the course a more linksy look. The bunkers used to be very large and time-consuming to maintain, so we’ve softened the edges with a wispier finish. It’s more natural, more sustainable, and it looks fantastic through the summer months."

Alongside the Cathedral redevelopment, the Prince Bishop’s Course, another Gaunt design, is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026. The layout has also been undergoing a series of careful modernisations, with updates including extended tees, refreshed bunkering and improved sightlines around several greens, all aimed at adapting the course to the demands of the modern game.

Tree management has been another key focus, with areas around greens opened up to improve airflow, light and visibility. The team has also worked to widen fairways and extend the 15th green to create more variety in pin positions.

A new floodlit short-game area is also taking shape as part of the project. Featuring twin greens and extensive bunker and pin-position areas, it has been designed to match the quality of Ramside’s wider practice offering and will provide a dedicated space for members and elite players to sharpen their skills. When complete, it is expected to be one of the most impressive facilities of its kind in the region.

"There’s nothing else like it in the area in terms of standard or quality," says Embleton. "It ties everything together, the new holes, the range, the overall practice setup, and it’s going to be floodlit too."

All works are on track to complete by early summer 2026.

"Ramside has always had huge potential," Embleton continues. "The venue has everything, and it is now ready to burst onto the stage. I always describe the venue as a bit of a sleeping giant, but it’s starting to wake up now. The courses, the new facilities, the investment, it’s not just good for Ramside, it’s great for the whole region and gives young players somewhere to aspire to."

Manager Director, John Adamson, said: "We’ve got an outstanding team here led by Shaun, and I trust them completely to bring the best out of the course. Our aim has always been to create a venue that golfers at every level can enjoy, while giving the best players the facilities to really develop their game.

"I’m incredibly proud of what the team is building, and I think these changes have the potential to make Ramside the best golf venue in the North East."

Located just ten minutes from the historic city of Durham, Ramside Hall combines two championship courses with a luxury spa, multiple restaurants and a wide range of accommodation options, from hotel rooms and suites to treehouses overlooking the countryside.

In October, The PIN opened its doors - an entertainment centre featuring a sports bar and bowling alley, with a state-of-the-art 43-bay driving range next door. The new development is already proving hugely popular with visitors, attracting new players to the game in a relaxed and friendly environment.

Adamson added:"The conditioning and quality of our golf courses will be complemented by the first-class offering at The PIN. We truly believe there is nothing else like what we have here at Ramside in the North East of England, and it is the perfect base for golfers looking to visit one of the most beautiful parts of the country."

If you want to know more about Ramside Hall, you can visit their website, or check out our travel partners Golfbreaks for the best deals and packages.