Golfing heaven at The De Vere Belfry
The De Vere Belfry in Warwickshire is one of the world’s most famous golf resorts; four times host of the ‘King of Golf Championships’ - The Ryder Cup – The Belfry is synonymous with the sport of golf. But if putt-ing doesn’t give you much pleasure, there’s still plenty to keep you amused in the 550 acres of rolling countryside which make up the resort’s estate.10 things to tempt:
1. Follow in the footsteps of Tiger Woods and play on the Brabazon golf course (where the Ryder Cup takes place). Pick up a souvenir course guide which will take you through, quite literally, Tiger’s steps across the course;
2. Play at being Gollum. Well not actually the character from the Lord of the Rings, but the hotel’s PGA National Golf Academy does have Europe’s only MAT-T system – a whiz piece of kit which analyses your golf swing with technology used to create Tolkien's creature in the Hollywood blockbuster;
3. Swap your golf club for a shot gun and have a go at clay pigeon shooting at the hotel’s events centre;
4. Watch the sun set with a drink in your hand whilst gazing out over the famous 18th hole of the Brabazon course. The view is timeless and one you’re bound to recognise from TV;
5. Freshen up with an ice scrub in the hotel’s Aqua Spa. Best described as a ‘fire and ice journey’, you move through a series of zones where your skin is bombarded with invigorating sensations;
6. If golf is more of a passion than hobby then don’t forget to check out the hotel’s collection of golfing memorabilia, including artefacts from Ryder Cup, British Masters and Benson & Hedges tournaments, on display in Sam’s Bar;
7. Unwind in the hotel’s spa treatment rooms, which offer a great men’s foot massage for a post golf de-stress, or revive yourself with a speciality coffee prepared by one of the lounge bar’s expert professional baristas;
8. Make some room for a little shopping at the hotel’s shop – the largest on course golf shop in Europe – which stocks Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, J Lindeburgh and many more;
9. Gorge yourself on one of the signature desserts at the hotel’s French Restaurant (the assiette of toffee and caramel is particularly good and is a tray of four miniature desserts in one). A great post golf sugar rush!
10. If you must venture outside of the resort’s grounds, then why not unearth some ancient and rare species of vegetable at nearby Castle Bromwich. 10 acres of wall gardens have everything from the extremely rare black Congo potato to a holly maze.
The Belfry and its golf courses are open all year round – making it a perfect weekend get-away.
Find out more by visiting Devere.co.uk.
