Best golf & spa resorts in the UK

Winner of an ever-increasing number of awards, including Best Golf Resort in The World by the Daily Telegraph, and Best UK Spa in the Good Spa Guide, Gleneagles oozes pure luxury. The Spa at Gleneagles is amongst the most well-equipped in Scotland, offering one-off treatments, as well as full day spa options.

The venue is one of only a handful of global destinations to be designated a Luxury Spa Resort, and unsurprisingly boasts an extensive menu of traditional therapies and complementary wellness treatments, designed to relax and rejuvenate both body and mind.

The courses at Gleneagles mirror the quality offered by the hotel and spa, hosting numerous professional events, including the 2014 Ryder Cup and 2019 Solheim Cup – held on the estate’s PGA Centenary Course.

The Queen’s and King’s courses compliment the PGA Centenary perfectly, providing guests with a variety of options, particularly when staying for three or more nights. Additionally, The Wee Course is ideal for those less familiar with the sport or looking to hone their short game on this quaint layout.

Described as 'a hidden oasis of calm', the spa at The K Club offers the highest levels of five-star luxury, comfort, and escapism. Host venue of the 2006 Ryder Cup, the two courses here have also seen plenty of action from the world’s best on the European Tour, with 13 European Opens as well as the Irish Open all being played across its layouts.

As an internationally acclaimed facility, The K Spa provides the perfect place to relax following a round on one of the resort’s courses. Enjoy a treatment using one of the spa’s hand-selected partner products, including Natura Bissé, and GROUND wellbeing – both chosen for their global reputation for incorporating the very finest ingredients.

However, you’ll certainly need to be on your toes once you head out on either the Palmer North or South courses, with water a frequent hazard throughout. Dare you emulate Rory McIlroy who famously carried the water with metalwoods on both the 16th and 18th holes en route to an iconic victory in the Irish Open?

The Seqoia Spa at The Grove is one of the most opulent in the Home Counties, promising a world of relaxation and recuperation. Their unique black mosaic-tiled pool is visually stunning, and only adds to the feeling of calmness which breezes through the venue.

Winner of numerous accolades, the facility was again nominated in 2021 at The Good Spa Awards, a recognition of its continued development, and industry-leading practices.

In addition to the Sequoia spa itself, there’s also a separate, and highly-equipped, fitness studio which is often used by international sports teams when playing at Wembley Stadium. Furthermore, The Grove have added the Sequoia Kitchen, an innovative food offering, designed to provide healthy nourishment that compliments your time spent in the spa.

The Grove Golf Course has been a perennial stop for the world’s best and is perhaps best remembered for Tiger Woods’ victory at the 2006 WGC Championship. The Big Cat memorably eagled the par-5 9th hole (18th hole for tournament week) three times, and lipped out for eagle once too on his way to an eight-shot victory.

The club placed a plaque on the fairway from where Tiger made his first eagle on Day 1, a mere 278-yards from the green! Why not drop a ball down and take it on yourself on your next visit?

In addition to the three outstanding golf courses on-site at Celtic Manor Resort, the venue also boasts two fabulous spa facilities, each designed to offer something unique to its visitors. The Forum Spa presents a more traditional day spa offering, with a choice of treatments, rooms, and pools, as well as ‘The Beauty Bar’ – the ideal place to grab a quick drink to further aid your relaxation!

Meanwhile The Ocius Treatment Rooms within Dylan’s Health Club at Celtic Manor specialises in shorter treatments, ideal for golfers looking to fit in a massage or spot of self-care in between rounds. Additionally, an offering of beauty-focussed treatments can help get you ready for a night at one of the venues’ many bars … or even for those who may be venturing out into nearby Cardiff later in the evening!

The courses here need little introduction, with The Twenty Ten Course, Roman Road and Montgomerie layouts constantly amongst our most played (and most loved!). Celtic Manor is also home to a myriad of practice facilities and putting greens as well as a full-length driving range – the ideal place to work on your game ahead of your round.

The stunning Trump Doonbeg International Golf Links & Hotel is home to the White Horses Spa, in the natural environment of the County Clare coastline, which provides endless inspiration for treatments.

One of the most popular treatments at the White Horses Spa is the deep tissue massage, designed with golfers in mind, and aiding recovery after a day on the links.

When you aren’t indulging in a signature Basalt Stone (like that found at Giant’s Causeway) massage, you will be blown away by the Greg Norman-designed course, where powerful winds off the Atlantic Ocean challenge you on every shot.

The layout is a traditional ‘out-and-back’ style, with first-class conditioning, and wider golfing facilities that have become synonymous with Trump properties.

Inspired by its idyllic woodland location perched along the River Maine, Galgorm is a stunning and tranquil inland location, despite being just 30 minutes from bustling Belfast. Making the most of its woodland setting, Galgorm offers both indoor and outdoor treatments, as well as full and half-day offerings which include perfectly paired gastronomy from the venue’s restaurant.

The Thermal Village created on-site is truly magical and mixes the hot (Celtic Sauna Infusion) with the cold (Snow Cabin) to offer a simply unique spa experience. Those looking for a shorter visit to the spa can take advantage of the many individual treatments on offer, as well as the superb fitness suite.

Galgorm partners with Galgorm Castle Golf Course, a few minutes' drive away (with free shuttles from the hotel), creating a fabulous mix of championship golf and world-class spa facilities. The venue is also the perfect base from which you can explore more of Northern Ireland – providing easy access to some of the world’s best links courses, such as Royal Portrush, Royal County Down, and Portstewart.

In 2020, the Spa at Carden was awarded the Best New Spa by the Good Spa Guide, no doubt due to its exceptional design and unique facilities, having undergone a multi-million-pound renovation. The venue also received accolades from the World Spa Awards, Professional Beauty Awards, and World Luxury Spa Awards – leaving no doubt as to its truly global level of excellence.

Guests will love the magnificent hotel, with a choice of rooms and suites to suit every group. The grounds of the estate also provide ample opportunity for exploration, adding to the relaxation offered by both the hotel and spa.

In addition to the award-winning Spa at Carden, the resort hosts two outstanding Championship courses; the Nicklaus Course, designed by the legendary course designer himself, and the classic Cheshire Course offering unparalleled views over the Chester hills.

Carden Park has become one of Golfbreaks’ most popular destinations over recent years, thanks in no small part to its continued development and level of excellence, in addition to the creation of one of the best spa facilities in the north of England. An easy pick for our best golf & spa resorts list!

One of the most iconic 54-hole golf resorts in Europe, The Belfry's Spa holds the same high-calibre as its three golf courses. A unique place to relax and unwind, the spa perfectly completes any luxury stay & play package. Be sure to experience the signature fire and ice treatment; a spiral journey through a foot spa, igloo, feature showers, aroma steam rooms, a sauna, hydrotherapy pools and more.

With every feature designed to spoil you from head to toe, from the 16 luxurious treatment rooms to the elegant relaxation area, this exquisite spa is the ideal place to unwind after your round. There’s a choice of pools, as well as a huge list of treatment options – designed to cater for visitors with any requirement imaginable.

In terms of the golf, you’ll struggle to find a venue with more to offer. The famous Brabazon Course is joined by The Derby and The PGA National, as well as a full-length driving range, extensive short-game areas, and options for both tuition and custom fitting. Whether you want to emulate past Ryder Cup heroics on the Brabazon or have a quick whip around the PGA National Course, The Belfry always has you covered.

The Spa at Trump Turnberry provides the perfect place to relax and revitalise, with beautiful views over the Irish Sea. The heat experiences and relaxation rooms provide the ultimate prelude to advanced, bespoke ESPA treatments, with a 65-foot heated infinity pool lying in the heart of the facility. Investment in the resort has seen it become one of the most highly-ranked golfing facilities on the planet, with its spa offering firmly at the centre of this.

Much of the international praise for the work carried out at Turnberry over recent years rightly focuses on the golf courses. The Ailsa has been slightly reworked, turning the legendary lighthouse into arguably the world’s most iconic halfway hut facilities in the world, whilst also making more use of the dramatic coastline around the turn. Equally the King Robert the Bruce course has also garnered much acclaim, helping to create a world-class multi-course facility.

With one of the most advanced fitness suites available in the industry, an Alfresco ThermoSpace outdoor spa, as well as a 20-metre heated indoor swimming pool, it is no wonder this delightful spa at Champneys Mottram Hall was awarded Best Country Retreat by the Good Spa Guide. During 2020, £10 million was invested into Champneys Spa to provide the complete package for guests, with added treatments and facilities to enjoy.

In addition to the Alfresco ThermoSpace Spa, there are also thermal experiences, hydro pools and private poolside cabanas, as well as individual treatments and massages, creating a truly extensive spa offering.

The Mottram Hall Golf Course winds its way through the Cheshire Woodlands, with a multi-million-pound renovation creating unbeatable conditioning for the area. The two nine’s present different tests, with many looking to make their score on the opening holes, before hanging on through the tougher stretches later in the round. The Claret Jug Bar is the perfect place to kick back after the round, offering a wide choice of excellent food, and the perfect backdrop from which you and the group can go back through the scorecards!

Another exceptional five-star venue to add to the list, Druids Glen is beautifully situated between the Wicklow Mountains and the Irish Sea, just 30-minutes away from Dublin. The secluded location provides the perfect country retreat, with The Spa at Druids Glen providing an ample choice of treatments, full-day packages and access to the on-site health club – with an 18-metre swimming pool, jacuzzi, plunge pool, sauna and steam room, and a fully equipped gym.

The two golf courses are both fantastic and present two contrasting challenges for golfers. The Druid Glen Course is a former Irish Open host with exceptionally manicured, tree-lined fairways and plenty of water to contend with. The Druids Heath Course is another great track and compliments the Glen course perfectly – with a mixture of heathland/parkland and links-style holes for good measure.

Elsewhere in the area, we’d recommend visitors completely immerse themselves in the Irish countryside. From quaint villages and lush gardens to hiking and cycling trails, Co. Wicklow offers the perfect getaway.

Moving further south amidst the tranquil Cork Harbour, Fota Island is one of just a few five-star, 54-hole resorts in the UK & Ireland and is a three-time host of the Irish Open. The Deerpark Course is undoubtedly the star of the show and works its way through a mature, woodland setting, whilst the Belvelly and Barryscourt courses are a little longer and playable all year round. The clubhouse is a beautiful stone building that blends effortlessly into the surrounding countryside – the perfect 19th hole to enjoy a drink and discuss your round.

The Fota Island Spa epitomises luxury and matches the high standards found throughout the resort. Here, guests are invited to fully immerse themselves in the Cork countryside and indulge in the many treatments that this five-star facility has to offer. Spa and leisure amenities include a hydrotherapy pool, thermal suite, walking river, steam room, outdoor sauna, high performance gym, and tennis courts. Everything you need all under one roof… total bliss!