Ramside Hall is found on the outskirts of Durham – a short hop off the A1(M) and well-placed for a golfing getaway.
With two golf courses, an impressive new short game area, spa, gym, several restaurants and The Pin entertainment centre, there is plenty on site to fill your diary.
I spent a couple of days at Ramside Hall exploring the resort and experiencing what it has to offer. Having last visited several years ago, I was struck by how much had changed.
Substantial investment has transformed everything from the golf courses and short game facilities to the accommodation and spa, while The Pin has added a whole new dimension. It felt a long way from the Ramside I remembered, and it is all the better for it.
Our itinerary included rounds on both courses, a tour of the resort and dinner at its restaurants, with plenty of free time to explore and enjoy the facilities.
The first round was on the Prince Bishops’ Course. This parkland layout measures 6,851 yards from the championship tees. It was in excellent condition and the setting revealed magnificent views towards Durham Cathedral and across the rolling countryside.
It’s a relaxing round but there is also enough variety to keep you thinking about the next shot. The Prince Bishops’ was an enjoyable introduction to Ramside Hall’s golf offering.
Playing both courses at Ramside Hall is essential to the experience
The Cathedral Course offers a striking change. Opened in 2014, it had an inland links feel, and I could hardly believe how different the ground was despite being only a short buggy ride from the previous day’s round.
More sandy turf, elevation changes, and an open layout created a completely different test. Again, the course was in outstanding condition, with recent changes to the 7th, 8th and 9th holes bedding in extremely well.
Having two courses with such distinct personalities is a real strength and playing both felt essential to getting the full Ramside experience.
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The short game area was another standout. As somebody who loves to practise, I wasn’t far from heaven. The setup offers a huge range of shots from 90 yards in, covering pitching, chipping, and bunker play.
Different lies and angles give each practice session a purpose. You could easily spend hours here. The area is floodlit with all-weather surfaces extending its use throughout the year, and the coaching team offers both individual and group tuition.
The Pin at Ramside Hall is an incredible addition to the resort
I last visited Ramside Hall with friends a few years ago, but hadn’t returned since the development of The Pin. Arriving back and seeing this multi-million-pound addition was quite something.
It includes a 43-bay Toptracer driving range, six-lane bowling alley, darts, shuffleboard and a sports bar. The scale, design and finish felt more akin to a Florida resort than County Durham, and it brings a different energy.
Whether you want a focused practice session, a few competitive games with friends or an evening watching live sport, there’s plenty to keep you occupied. It also gives a golf group somewhere to spend time together after a round.
The aforementioned investment has also brought substantial improvements to the spa. Indoor and outdoor pools, a hydrotherapy pool, saunas, cold plunges and a wide range of treatments make it an excellent place to unwind.
I spent plenty of time here during my stay, using the well-equipped gym before relaxing in the spa. It was a welcome change of pace after the golf, and somewhere I’d happily have set aside more time to enjoy. For anyone travelling with a partner who doesn’t play, it’s just another compelling reason to make the trip.
Dining was equally enjoyable. With four restaurants on site, there’s plenty of choice.
We ate at the Rib Room and Fusion and both delivered excellent food and service. Each had its own atmosphere and, much like the golf courses, it was easy to forget that these different experiences were all on the same property.
Who will enjoy Ramside Hall? I’d feel comfortable recommending it to several different groups. Serious golfers have two excellent courses, a driving range and a short game area that could justify a visit on its own. Groups of friends can build a break around the golf, with The Pin providing an easy option for the evenings.
Families have activities, varied dining and a choice of accommodation, while couples can combine spa time, good food and as much golf as they like.
But what impressed me most was how well those individual parts held up. A long list of facilities doesn’t always translate into a consistently good stay, but the quality carried through from the courses to the practice areas, spa and restaurants. There was plenty to do and there are plenty of reasons to come back.
Now have your say
Have you been to Ramside Hall? What have you made of the changes to the resort? Let us know in the comments, or get in touch on X.
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