Golfing, Dining and Sleeping British Style in The Cotswolds
Story and photos (unless otherwise noted) by Scott Kendall
The Cotswolds is a beautiful region in southern England a couple hours west of London. Known for their charming honey colored villages with quaint cottages, winding roads, hilly contours, green pastures and blooming flowers of every color, the Cotswolds is a prime destination for weekend (or longer) getaways.
Castles, gardens, stately residences, delicious foods, and natural wonders abound. Visitors flock to Sudely Castle, Hidcote Gardens, Batsford Arboretum, and village after village filled with country charm.
Feldon Valley: A Revitalized Golf Course
Now British locals and visitors from overseas can add some new names to their list of attractions. Feldon Valley Golf Club (https://www.feldonvalley.co.uk) and the Cotswolds Distillery have recently been making a name for themselves. An older golf course and an old dilapidated distillery have been restored and revitalized, still retaining their original charm.
Originally built at the height of the golfing boom in the UK back in 1992 as Brailes Golf Club, the course fell into disrepair because of drainage issues and lack of adequate funding. In 2013 the course was sold and 360 Golf Ltd hired to turn things around. Major drainage problems were addressed, and a detailed course improvement plan was designed and executed.
New personnel, equipment, and a new attitude made for widespread improvements. Membership doubled, and members and the community were excited and proud again about the new, improved course, renamed Feldon Valley Golf Club. The clubhouse was renovated with new balconies and full length windows to maximize the spectacular views of the course and surrounding countryside. A new golf shop and lockers were also part of the facelift.
The Kitchen at Feldon Valley
The new restaurant, The Kitchen, recently opened. The Kitchen appeals to golfers and non-golfers alike, offering delicious fresh and local food prepared by a top chef. The goal is to offer great fare for golfers before and after they play, but also to be a destination for locals to come for first class breakfast, lunch, and dinners, or to enjoy a drink at the bar. In addition to great food, every guest is also treated to the wonderful views.
After a busy day of visiting nearby Batsford Arboretum and The Cotswold Distillery, we settled into our lovely room at Feldon Valley. We were excited to try out the recently opened onsite restaurant, The Kitchen. The menu has a strong emphasis on fresh local ingredients, including fruits and vegetables grown on site. Executive Head Chef Darren Brown has put together a great menu for guests of The Kitchen.
We started with a delicious asparagus soup. Luckily, the end of the asparagus season was fast approaching, but we were able to enjoy the last of this season’s crop. The freshness of the asparagus floating in the perfectly seasoned soup and complemented by fresh bread baked on the premises was delicious.
My wife had the Fresh Pea and Fregola Salad with mint, cucumbers, and a tasty yogurt dressing. I tried the hearty Feldon Valley Cheeseburger on a milk bun with lettuce and tomato served with Rosemary Fries. Both were excellent. To accompany our meal, we chose a Pinot Noir from the outstanding hand-picked wine list. For dessert, I decided to try the Sticky Toffee Pudding with Butterscotch sauce, and my wife chose the Barkham Blue Cheese and Eccles Cake served with a delicious port and pear puree.
Lodging at Feldon Valley Golf Course
Another huge improvement is the addition of 25 luxurious rooms in five separate buildings built in the woodlands parallel to the golf course. The main lodge has 13 rooms on the ground and first floor levels, and another 12 rooms in four separate buildings built along the golf course. The main lodge also houses the Reception area, a Coffee Bar with a range of hot and cold drinks, and a cozy lounge area with fireplace. Guests can also relax on the patio with great views of the landscapes, and even gather around the fire pit to keep warm on cool evenings.
The rooms are luxurious and contemporary with all the modern conveniences at hand. In our room, it was wonderful to be laying on the bed and look out our window at the rolling green landscapes of the golf course and surrounding countryside. It was such a comfortable and relaxing spot to truly enjoy the beauty and tranquility of The Cotswolds. And when we got hungry, we were only a minute away from the fantastic Kitchen in the nearby clubhouse.
Feldon Valley Golf Course is in the heart of The Cotswolds
After our time in The Cotswolds, I can see why so many visitors have been enamored with this part of jolly ole England. With beautiful golf courses like Feldon Valley, castles, charming villages, stately homes and gardens, fantastic food and world class spirits, I’m already making plans for my next trip to the marvelous Cotswolds.
