Set in 270 acres of Cheshire woodland, Mottram Hall is the sort of place you book when you want proper golf by day and a genuinely relaxing hotel by night. The 18th-century Georgian country house brings the character, while the resort facilities keep the whole group happy, even if not everyone wants 36 holes.
The championship course, host of the 2013 European Senior's PGA Championship, gives you two different feels in one round. The front nine is more open and scoreable if you're driving it well, but the back nine tightens up as it runs through denser woodland. Miss a fairway and you'll quickly learn that course management beats brute force around here. If you enjoy shaping tee shots and picking the right side of the fairway rather than just swinging hard, you'll have a lot of fun.
Location-wise, it's a very easy win for a short UK break. You're around 30 minutes from Manchester and less than 15 minutes from the Peak District, so it works for a quick escape, a society weekend, or a couple of nights tagged onto a city stay. The hotel sits tucked away in the leafy village of Mottram St Andrew, with Prestbury train station just 3 miles away if you're coming by rail.
Who is this for?
Golfers planning a short UK break who want championship golf, a quality spa and an easy drive or train ride from Manchester.
Who is it best for?
Couples and small groups who like strategic, tree-lined golf and want a full resort set-up on site, with dining, leisure facilities and somewhere worth staying even after the last putt drops.