The Forest of Arden Hotel and Country Club offers everything you could possibly want from a golfing venue. With two sublime 18-hole golf courses, great practice facilities and a lovely clubhouse, the golfing side of things is spot on. However, the resort also has a Leisure Club, beautiful hotel and great eateries. 

 

Starting with the golf, and there are two incredible Donald Steel designs at the Forest of Arden. The Championship Arden Course is the one that most will know when it comes to the resort. The Par 72 layout has hosted the DP World Tour several times, with the English Open and British Masters calling the course its home in the past. The venue also has the Aylesford Course, which is a great complimentary layout for the resort. A driving range, short game area and the opportunity for coaching round out the golfing facilities. 

 

The Leisure Club at the Forest of Arden Hotel and Country Club provides the right environment for those that want to work out or relax. The gym is fully equipped with cardiovascular and resistance machines, while there are also fitness classes available. A swimming pool, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and whirlpool are also among the facilities that can be used by guests of the leisure club and the spa – the latter being the place to go for guests who want massages and treatments with a wide range available. 

 

When it comes to resting your head at night, the hotel at the resort has a variety of options for guests to enjoy. The hotel at the Forest of Arden has both Deluxe and Family Rooms, the latter coming with two double beds for larger groups. There are also Superior Rooms and Premium Rooms, with the Premium offerings being the best of the best at the Forest of Arden Hotel and Country Club.  

 

 

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The Forest of Arden Hotel and Country Club is the proud host of not one, but two golf courses designed by the great Donald Steel. The world-renowned golf course architect was behind both the Arden and Aylesford Courses at the resort, with the former playing host to the DP World Tour on multiple occasions.  

 

Championship Arden Course 

The Championship Arden Course is, as it says, the championship offering when it comes to golf at the Forest of Arden. The course plays nicely in two loops to allow golfers to play just nine holes if they prefer. The Par 72 layout has hosted the DP World Tour on 11 occasions, holding both the English Open and British Masters. Darren Clarke and Colin Montgomerie both won twice on the Arden, with Thomas Bjorn and Robert Allenby also among the winners.  

 

Three of the first four holes are short par 4s, providing good birdie opportunities to get your round off to a great start. The par 5 3rd and par 4 6th meet at a double green, while the short 8th hole is a beauty. It is only 167 yards from the back tees, but that is entirely over water to a green surrounded by trees. The 9th then tees off over the same water hazard before winding its way back to the clubhouse. 

 

In comparison to the start of the round, the back nine really gets tough, with four par 4s over 400 yards from the 10th to the 14th. The only respite comes in the form of the par 5 12th, which has water in front of the green, and joins a double green with 17. The closing stretch of the course is one of the finest in the country. The 16th is a stunning dog-leg par 4, before the par 5 17th. The Arden Course at the Forest of Arden finishes with a sublime par 3, as described by Terry Jacoby in the ‘1001 Golf Holes You Must Play Before You Die’. 

 

“One of the most distinct signature holes, the 211-yard par 3 overlooks the fishing lakes and resort. It’s a breathtaking view with a breathtaking tee shot, which requires you to carry the water. A par here and you deserve a pint of accolades.” - Terry Jacoby. 

 

Aylesford Course 

The Aylesford Course is the second course at the Forest of Arden Hotel and Country Club and is a great complement to the Championship Arden Course. Also designed by Donald Steel, the Aylesford sits at the north of the resort and is less than 6,000 yards. The Par 69 layout is not without its difficulties, though. 

 

Both the 5th and 8th could be seen as drivable par 4s, with the pair measuring less than 280 yards. Both are dog-legs – 5 to the right and 8 to the left – and play into the corners of the resort at its northern tip. There is no water on either of the two holes, but there is plenty of other danger for any errant drives. There are only two par 5s on the layout, with the 18th being one of those. The closing hole on the Aylesford is only 475 yards, so it is reachable in two, but the green is surrounded by huge oak trees and a small pond to the right of the green.  

When a venue has the word ‘Hotel’ in its name, you expect a beautiful place to rest your head. The Forest of Arden Hotel and Country Club does not disappoint, with a sublime selection of rooms available.  

 

The Deluxe Rooms and Family Rooms are the standard offering for guests at the Forest of Arden Hotel and Country Club. The Family Rooms come equipped with two double beds, so there is plenty of space for the parents and children to enjoy themselves and relax.  

 

The Superior Rooms and Premium Rooms are the upper echelons of comfort and elegance at the resort. The Superior Rooms come with their own sofa, while the Premium Rooms have a sofa bed and a king-sized bed, with spacious seating areas.  

 

There are great choices when it comes to eateries at the resort. The Fairway Bar & Grill offers pub classics, steaks and a Sunday carvery each week, while Zest is the place to go for snacks and a lunch menu.  

The Forest of Arden Hotel and Country Club has its own Leisure Club. The club features a fully equipped gym with an extensive range of both resistance and cardiovascular equipment, along with a range of free weights.  

 

There is also a heated indoor swimming pool at the Leisure Club at the Forest of Arden resort. The pool is open all day, and guests can also enjoy the whirlpool, sauna and steam room, along with relaxing on the poolside loungers following a swim.  

 

The Cedarwood Spa on site is the place to go for guests looking to upgrade their relaxation. A range of treatments, including aromatherapy, facial treatments, body massages, manicures and pedicures, and even waxing and brow works are all available.  

Where is Forest of Arden?  
The Forest of Arden is located near Maxstoke in the Midlands of England. It is right in between Birmingham and Coventry, with the two big cities to the west and east of the resort.  

What is the nearest airport and station to the Forest of Arden?  
Birmingham International Airport is just six miles from the Forest of Arden resort. TUI, easyJet, Ryanair and Jet2.com all have bases at Birmingham International, which is the busiest airport in the Midlands. Almost 10 million passengers travelled through Birmingham International in 2022. 

 

The train station at Birmingham International is also the closest to the Forest of Arden, the same six-mile journey from the resort. Trains run both north and south through Birmingham – as far as Glasgow and Manchester, down to London and Bournemouth. 

What golf facilities does Forest of Arden offer?  
Along with the two Donald-Steel designed golf courses, the Forest of Arden resort also features a full-length driving range which has both covered and uncovered tees, along with a row of grass tee which are used throughout the summer months. There is also a short game area which practice green and bunkers. The putting green sits near the 18th green on the Arden Course so you can practice your putts while watching those face the treacherous par 3.  

Does Forest of Arden offer golf lessons?  
There is the option for golfers to receive coaching and tuition, with the driving range being the base at the Forest of Arden Hotel and Country Club. Both individual and group lessons are available from a team of qualified professionals.  

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

What accommodation is on offer at the Forest of Arden?  
The range of accommodation at the Forest of Arden is sublime, with Deluxe and Family Rooms being the standard, but still with comfort and elegance in mind. There are then Superior and Premium Rooms which offer the utmost luxury at the Forest of Arden Hotel and Country Club.  

What other resorts are nearby?  
There are plenty of other venues on the NCG Top 100s: GB&I Golf Resorts list that call the Midlands home. The likes of The Belfry, Breadsall Priory, Belton Woods, Staverton Park, Hellidon Lakes and more are all within a short drive from the Forest of Arden. 

 

  

Book your trip to Forest of Arden with Golfbreaks now.  

  

Visit the Forest of Arden website here.  

Go Back To NCG's Top 100s Homepage.