Bovey Castle is one of several venues on the NCG Top 100s: GB&I Golf Resorts list that is based in the southwest of England. There is an 18-hole championship golf course at the resort along with practice facilities, with a beautifully appointed hotel, self-catering lodges, a spa & wellness facility and much more.  

 

The golf course, originally designed by JF Abercromby and redesigned by Donald Steel in the early 2000s, is a short but tough test of your golfing ability. Only 6,300 yards long, but with the River Bovey winding through it, plenty of bunkers and tree-line fairways, it is certainly not a course for those that are inaccurate off the tee. There is a driving range, short game area and the opportunity to receive coaching from a pair of PGA-qualified professionals. 

 

Golf is not the only sporting activity on offer at Bovey Castle. The likes of archery, fly fishing and tennis are all on site, while 4x4 off-roading, walking tours of Dartmouth and plenty more can fill an afternoon. There are also activities for children, while dogs are also welcomed at the resort. The Elan Spa provides a suitable place for guests to relax and unwind, with a swimming pool, sauna, steam room and more, along with qualified therapists on hand to give massages and treatments. 

 

The accommodation at Bovey comes in different forms. There are 60 rooms and suites in the manor house hotel, ranging from the Single and Classic Rooms, up to the Junior State and Grand State Rooms. There is also a choice of self-catering lodges at Bovey Castle, for those larger groups that fancy a more private stay at the resort.  

 

 

Book your trip to Bovey Castle with Golfbreaks now.  

  

Visit the Bovey Castle website here.  

Go Back To NCG's Top 100s Homepage. 

JF Abercromby was the man behind the design of the course at Bovey Castle, one that has now been around for almost a century. Donald Steel took to the layout just after the turn of the millennium, making it into the course we see at Bovey Castle today. Despite being less than 6,300 yards from the back tees, this Par 70 championship course still puts up a stern test. 

 

There is a need for precision from the tee at Bovey, with water hazards, shallow bunkers, and plenty of trees to find yourself in or behind. The start is really tough, especially once you have been tricked by the opening hole. It’s barely long enough to be a par 4 and it’s played severely downhill. But with the River Bovey in front of the green you’re happy to hit a couple of wedges and be able to use the same ball on the 2nd. Unfortunately, this par 4 also goes over water, and so does the 3rd, an incredibly demanding long par 3 off the white tees, where the green is virtually an island.  

 

The 4th is then the longest on the course, and one of only two par 5s you will find at Bovey. The par 3s come at every third hole up to the 12th, and from there on, its six successive par 4s back to the clubhouse. The best holes are on the front nine but the hardest is left until last – a 430-yard par 4 round a hillside where it’s an achievement just to get to end of the hole. 

At Bovey Castle, there is a delightful range of accommodation, with rooms, suites and private lodges all on offer. There are 60 individually designed rooms and suites in the manor house at Bovey Castle, all offering comfort and elegance for its guests. Every room at Bovey has a view of either the castle’s courtyard or the woodlands.  

 

Single Rooms, Mews Rooms and Classic Rooms are the three standard options. The Single features a small double bed, the Mews Rooms come with twin, king or queen beds, while the Classic Rooms are equipped with either king or queen beds. The Castle and Valley Rooms offer another level of luxury, while the Junior State, State and Grand State offerings are the best of the best in the hotel. 

 

For those looking for a more private stay, Bovey Castle also has a choice of lodges, all of which are self-catering. Although guests may be away from the resort’s amenities, they are all still included in a stay, with dining options, the spa and golf course all available to guests of the lodges.  

 

Both the hotel and the lodges at Bovey Castle are family-friendly and dog-friendly. There are also dining options that are perfect for those with young children, and those that want to bring their dogs along for the journey.  

Visiting Bovey Castle but you’re not a golfer? Don’t worry! There are plenty of activities for non-golfers at the Devon venue. With the Dartmoor National Park on the resort’s doorstep, outdoor activities are in abundance at Bovey. 

 

Archery, falconry, fly fishing, bike riding and both clay pigeon and air rifle shooting are just some of those. There are also tours of Dartmoor and the deer park, along with horse carriage rides and off-road driving.  

 

For those that want to relax, the Elan Spa at Bovey Castle is the spot for you. The Elan Spa has a swimming pool, whirlpool, sauna and steam room, all of which are housed indoors. There is also a range of massages and treatments, which are given by a team of qualified therapists.  

Where is Bovey Castle?  
Bovey Castle is in the county of Devon, in between the villages of North Bovey and Morehamptonsted. The resort is around 20 miles southwest of Exeter, which is the nearest major city to Bovey Castle.  

What is the nearest airport and station to Bovey Castle?  
Exeter St. Thomas is the nearest train station to Bovey Castle, with St. Thomas being in the city centre of Exeter. Newton Abbot is around the same distance away, with a taxi or bus required to reach the resort from either train station. 

 

Exeter is also the home to the nearest airport to Bovey Castle. There are flights to and from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dublin, while TUI Airways provide flights to several European destinations. Bristol Airport – around a two-hour drive from Bovey Castle – is a hub for easyJet, Jet2.com, Ryanair and TUI Airways, servicing several European countries and even some destinations further afield. 

What golf facilities does Bovey Castle offer?  
Bovey Castle has plenty to offer alongside the 18-hole championship golf course. There is also a driving range and a short game area for golfers to practice their skills before taking to the course. The putting green sits next to the 1st tee for that last minute stretch with the flat stick. 

 

Away from the course, there is the opportunity to hire buggies and trolleys, along with club rental and a caddy service. The pro shop - which stocks the latest gear and equipment from a wide range of brands – is the place to go for everything golf-related at Bovey Castle. 

Does Bovey Castle offer golf lessons?  
There are a pair of PGA-qualified professionals on hand at Bovey Castle to provide coaching and lessons to allcomers. Lessons can come in the form of half an hour and hour-long individual sessions, along with group clinics and more.  

What are the green fees at Bovey Castle?  
The price of a green fee at Bovey Castle changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend. There are also stay & play packages available at the resort.  

 

For more information on current green fees at Bovey Castle, visit their website here. 

What accommodation is on offer at Bovey Castle?  

Bovey Castle’s accommodation options come in a range of rooms, suites and private lodges. There are 60 rooms and suites in the manor house at Bovey, along with a selection of self-catering lodges, which are located around the estate.  

What other resorts are nearby?  
Bovey Castle is one of several venues on the NCG Top 100s: GB&I Golf Resorts list that call the southwest of England home. The Manor House and Ashbury, The Mole Resort, St Mellion and the Dartmouth Hotel, Golf & Spa are all within an hour’s drive from Bovey Castle. 

  

 

Book your trip to Bovey Castle with Golfbreaks now.  

  

Visit the Bovey Castle website here.  

Go Back To NCG's Top 100s Homepage.