Since Darwin Escapes purchased the land in 2017, The Springs has undergone a makeover. Both the golf course and the accommodation range have been upgraded to make The Springs into a wonderful golf resort. There is also a spa on the property for guests to indulge in during their time at the venue. 

 

The golf course was designed by Ryder Cup captain Brian Huggett, opening for play just before the turn of the 21st Century. Following Darwin Escapes’ purchase of the resort, Tim Lobb was brought in to improve the golf course, and after consultations with Huggett, the bunkers and lakes were altered to make more of an impact, both visually and in play. The Par 72 layout runs alongside the River Thames at times just to add that bit more danger to your time on the course. 

 

Away from the golf course, the 1893 Spa provides the perfect place for guests to relax and unwind. The facilities at the spa include a hydrotherapy pool, along with a sauna and steam room, while a team of fully qualified professionals are on hand for massages and treatments.  

 

The accommodation at The Springs is wide-ranging. The top of the range of offerings are the Hawthorn Lodge and the Millpond Premier Lodge. These are both two-bedroom properties that can sleep four and are pet friendly, with the Millpond variety also coming with its own private hot tub. There is then a variety of suites in the hotel, along with Deluxe King Rooms that are in their own pods and a small walk to the hotel and its amenities.  

 

 

Visit The Springs’ website here.  

Go Back To NCG Top 100s Homepage. 

The Springs’ 18-hole golf course was originally designed by 1977 Ryder Cup captain Brian Huggett. The Par 72 layout, for the majority, runs north and south with only a couple of holes going east-west. The course first opened in 1998, but following the Darwin Escapes takeover, Tim Lobb came in to upgrade the course, after consultations with the original designer.  

 

The course is only 6,500 yards from the back tees, so it is not the longest course on the NCG Top 100s: GB&I Golf Resorts list, not by a long shot. However, there is plenty of danger, including the free-flowing River Thams which runs down the side of the par 5 15th hole.  

 

The 1st and 6th share a double green at The Springs, coming at the putting surface from opposite directions. The 2nd is the shortest hole on the property, measuring just 135 yards from the back tees, while the second par 3 on the course is the signature hole at The Springs. The 8th hole features a water hazard to the front and left of the green, while three bunkers are on the right for those that push their tee shots away from the water.  

  

The closing stretch at The Springs provides several birdie opportunities. 14 and 15 are back-to-back par 5s, with the River Thames bordering the latter. The 16th is the last par 3 on the course, while the penultimate hole is a true risk-and-reward. Big hitters could take the green on, but it is at least a 275-yard carry over a water hazard that sits in front of the green. The safe play is to take a long iron or fairway wood and keep left of the water. The closing hole features some towering trees that can be a problem, while the green is guarded by three bunkers and the clubhouse watching on. 

Having been purchased by Darwin Escapes in 2017, the accommodation at The Springs has had a recent makeover. The hotel has three types of suites, each of which has been individually designed. There is the Junior Suite range, the Deluxe Suite range, and the Executive Suite range, with something for everyone at The Springs.  

 

There is also a selection of lodges available at The Springs. The Deluxe King Rooms with Terraces come in a row of pods on the estate, which are a short walk from the hotel and amenities. Both the Hawthorn Lodge and the Millpond Premier Lodge are two-bedroom properties and can sleep up to four people. The latter comes with an outdoor hot tub, while both are pet friendly.  

 

The Ridgeway Restaurant is the spot for evening meals, with the restaurant having been decorated to honor the history of the golf club and the clubhouse. There is a vast array of meals on offer to suit all palates.  

The place for guests to relax during their stay at The Springs is the 1893 Spa. The facilities include a hydrotherapy pool, sauna, and steam room, while a team of fully trained professionals are on hand for massages and treatments. 

 

Facial treatments, full body massages, manicures, and pedicures are all on offer, while there are also adapted massages for pregnant women. There is also a nail salon so guests can leave with a brand-new set of nails to show off to their friends.  

 

There is also a fully equipped gym at The Springs, with a wide range of training equipment including treadmills, elliptical machines, and free weights.  

Where is The Springs?  
The Springs is just south of Wallingford in Oxfordshire, close to both the M40 and the M4. The cities of Oxford and Reading are both equidistant from The Springs, both within 15 miles of the resort.  

What is the nearest airport and station to The Springs?  
The country’s biggest and busiest airport, London Heathrow, is less than 35 miles from The Springs. The airport serviced more than 60 million people in 2022 and operates flights to almost every corner of the world. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic both have bases at London Heathrow airport.  

 

Four miles from The Springs lies Cholsey Station, the closest train station to the resort. Trains run through Cholsey on the line between Reading and Didcot Parkway, with services running in both directions every hour.  

What golf facilities does The Springs offer?  
Along with the 18-hole golf course, The Springs also has a great outdoor practice area. There is a driving range with eight bays, along with a short game area that includes a practice bunker, chipping green and a putting green.  

 

In terms of indoor practice, The Springs is home to Swing Studios. Foresight GC Quad is in use in the three indoor swing studios, which have been added to the complex following the purchase by Darwin Escapes. These can be used for fun and games, as well as coaching and lessons with the technology being used for custom club fittings and more.  

 

The pro shop has been recently rebuilt and refitted with the likes of Callaway, TaylorMade, Adidas, Under Armour and plenty more in stock for golfers to make sure they are ready for a round at The Springs.  

Does The Springs offer golf lessons?  
Lessons are available in many forms at The Springs. Swing Studios is the perfect place for qualified PGA professionals to use technology to understand your swing and to help improve your game, while custom fitting can also bring that handicap down.  

What are the green fees at The Springs?  
The price of a green fee at The Springs 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 The Springs, visit their website here. 

What accommodation is on offer at The Springs?  
There are many distinct types of accommodation on offer at The Springs. The hotel has a range of suites – Junior, Deluxe and Executive – while the Deluxe King Rooms come in a row of pods on the estate. There is also the Hawthorn Lodge and the Millpond Premier Lodge, with these being the best of the best when it comes to a more private stay at The Springs.  

What other resorts are nearby?  
The Oxfordshire, another venue on the NCG Top 100s: GB&I Golf Resorts list, is just 15 miles from The Springs. The likes of Wokefield Estate, Foxhills, The Grove, and Heythrop Park are all within an hour’s drive of The Springs.  

 

   

Visit The Springs’ website here.  

Go Back To NCG Top 100s Homepage.