TUCKED away in a leafy corner of South East England is the magnificent Brocket Hall. One of Britain’s premier stately homes, Brocket Hall is also home to two world class golf courses and the renowned Palmerston Golf Academy, responsible for producing some of England’s finest young golfing talent.
Nestled within a 560 acre country estate in beautiful Hertfordshire, Brocket Hall is a magnificent ancestral home that is steeped in history with reminders of a colourful past visible at every turn. The Hall, which celebrates its 250th anniversary this year, was home to two British prime ministers – Lord Melbourne and Lord Palmerston. It also played host to George IV and witnessed the infamous Lady Caroline Lamb introduce the Waltz to England in its quite spectacular ballroom.
From the moment you arrive through the grand double gates you feel you have been transported back in time. The Estate is breathtaking, with rolling lush green landscape and lakes framed by thick mature forest woodland.
The grand Hall sits atop a hill overlooking one of the two golf courses with the obligatory croquet lawn and tennis courts outside. From the large entrance hall, where you will be greeted by one of the team of full time butlers, there are a myriad snaking passageways leading to different rooms including the magnificent ballroom which was designed by Lord Melbourne, who used it to entertain royalty. It’s now used as a dining room for private guests who can hire Brocket Hall for lavish house parties. The table, which can seat 54 guests, is said to be the second oldest and longest in England.
The billiard room is also a sight to behold and it’s quite a strange feeling to play on a table that the likes of Lord Byron and Winston Churchill have used before you. It’s even rumoured that Lord Palmerston, who became Prime Minister in 1855, was in the arms of a chambermaid on the table when he breathed his last! Each bedroom is named after one of the famous names of yesteryear associated with the Hall, with accommodations oozing old English charm and character. Breakfast is served in the | elegant morning room while dinner can be enjoyed in the exquisite Michelin starred Auberge du Lac.
It’s not uncommon to see celebrities, including a host Premier League football stars, during a round of golf at Brocket Hall as many of them are members, and it’s easy to see why as the two courses are of a terrific standard.
The Melbourne is a delightful little 6,616-yard par 72 parkland style course. Opened in 1992, it was designed by Peter Allis and Clive Clark and they did a great job in using the natural undulations and contours of the terrain to create a course of real beauty that offers a good challenge. The River Lea snakes through the course and several holes cross it, while the highlight of the round comes at the par-5 18th finishing hole where a little cable pulled boat ferries golfers across to the green after a tough approach over the water.
The Palmerston is a longer layout, standing at 7,061 yards. The par 73 track, designed by renowned architect Donald Steel, winds its way through a series of striking natural hazards in the form of a vast collection of rare Hornbeam, Scots and Corsican pine trees and 300 year old beech trees. The course winds uphill, downhill and over valleys with the choice of four tee boxes providing a great test for novices and seasoned players alike.
Lessons can be booked at the state-of-the-art Palmerston Academy (formerly the Faldo Institute) with one of the team of highly skilled pros who have nurtured a wealth of talent including last year’s Italian Amateur Champion Charlie Douglas and 2009 Boys Amateur Champion Tom Lewis who also won last year’s Carris Trophy at the English Boys Strokeplay Championship. The Palmerston also features a great little par 3 course on which to hone your skills.
For a slice of history and true English hospitable charm combined with Championship golf of the highest order you should look no further than Brocket Hall & Golf Club. Web address: www.brocket-hall.co.uk |
