The Grove Hotel & Golf Course: In 2003 London acquired a new addition to its enviable collection of high-end out-of-town luxury golf resorts. Joining the likes of Foxhills, Wentworth, Stoke Park, Hanbury Manor and Brocket Hall, the "new kid on the block" also offers a top-quality golf course, laid out in the grounds of a former stately home.

Dubbed "London's country estate" by its owners, the centrepiece of The Grove is a sumptuous and much extended mansion house hotel, the former family seat of the Earls of Clarendon. Wrapped around the hotel and spa facilities is a top-quality golf course, one that has already hosted a World Golf Championships (WGC) event.

Kyle Phillips' quintessentially English parkland design provides a challenging test to golfers, as well as an impressive backdrop to the mansion house. With its significant linksy overtones, the layout exudes a relatively open feel, encouraging plenty of use of the big-timber from the tee. But don't stray too far offline; penal grassy rough lies in wait for anything hit too wide.

Incorporated within the gently undulating layout that roams across the picturesque grounds of the former stately home, are several attractively doglegging holes, occasional water hazards and excellent bunkering. The superb greens are generally large, and on several occasions distinctively square. The presentation throughout is top-quality, with picturesque views of the stately home and surrounding countryside - as befits an Earl!

Stay & Play at The Grove: luxury onsite accommodation available, see Where2Stay section below.