W&G REVIEW: Close House, conveniently located in the Tyne Valley, only 15 minutes from Newcastle airport and 15 miles from Newcastle city centre combines great golf with a welcoming hotel.
Since Close House was bought seven years ago, extensive developments have taken place. The original existing parkland course, (The Filly), has been redesigned and was reopened in 2007, and the new Colt course was opened in May 2011 by Lee Westwood, who is Close House’s attached tour professional.
The Colt course is of championship standard. It has many interesting and varied holes and utilises the natural landscape. The course has several natural features, such as the Ha Ha wall and has expansive views of the surrounding countryside. At 4,751 yards it is of a very manageable length but still offers a challenge for ladies of all abilities. The greens were in excellent condition, true and consistent and held the line of the ball; we only needed to read them correctly!
I particularly liked the par-3 9th, not just because of the challenging tee shot which involves driving nearly the whole distance tee to green over a water hazard, but also due to the old fashioned telephone box situated at the tee box, in which you ring through your food and drink order so it is ready to collect at the halfway house when you finish the hole.
A state of the art golf academy is also located at the back of the 9th green so the halfway house cafe area doubles up as a relaxing spot to sit before and after a lesson or practice session. The facilities are excellent using the latest technology, and I was very impressed by the professionalism, friendliness and enthusiasm of the golf professionals I met.
Close house is a beautiful 18th century mansion including 19 bedrooms, recently complemented by 12 additional courtyard rooms in the original stable block behind the house. The rooms are fantastic; spacious, tastefully decorated to a high specification with excellent attention to detail, and I loved the Molton Brown shampoo, conditioner and soap.
Dining facilities are first class and cater for everyone’s tastes. Argent D’Or with its top quality menu provides a relaxing place to eat, while pre and post dinner or lunchtime drinks can be taken in the comfortable and elegant lounge of the champagne bar. The No 19 restaurant, located in the newly built Golf Clubhouse, also provides a wide variety of home cooked food during the day and evening and offers stunning views from its large terrace.
The service from staff is second to none with a friendly and personal touch. Golf clubs are cleaned and complimentary transfers are provided to and from the airport and train station. Overall, if you wish to visit a very special place, stay in supreme accommodation and play interesting golf, I would certainly recommend Close House Hotel and Golf.
WHAT'S ON OFFER
Close House Hotel and Golf
Heddon on the Wall, Newcastle upon Tyne
NE15 0HT
Tel: 01661 852255
Sunday-Thursday Colt/Filly golf break – £179 per person based on two people sharing including accommodation in a Courtyard room, 18 holes on each course, dinner in No 19, full English breakfast taken either in Argent D’Or or No 19.
