There are few places as fundamentally woven into the fabric of English sport as the Belfry. The resort has hosted the Ryder Cup a total of four times and provided some of the most memorable moments in the history of the tournament.
Most recent was 2002, when Paul McGinley holed the winning putt to secure the win for team Europe. That was more than 20 years ago, and it’s a relief to find that the hotel, golf course and resort haven’t been resting on their laurels in the time since.
Not looking to rely too heavily on the past, the hotel has been busy updating itself. There have been some pretty big changes to the venue ever since 2013, when a reported £23million was put into the hotel. There have been a few alterations to the golfing set up in that time, and the resort has kept up with the pace of play too.
Where is it?
The Belfry is found in the village of Sutton Coldfield, around eight miles outside of Birmingham. Its location makes it pretty well placed for a lot of people across the country, and it’s easily accessible from the M6, M40 and M42. We drove less than two hours from the family home in Leeds to get there, and it’s pretty easy to get there by train too.
Style
Contemporary British styling with reverence for its golfing legacy, is how we’d describe the feel of the place. My dad joined me on our trip, and in the 10 years since he last stayed here there’s been a lot of time, money and attention put into it.
There are splashes of luxury in the finishing touches. A chandelier constructed from hundreds of glass golf clubs hangs in reception and the grand central bar is the focal point of the hotel’s interior. It elevates the reception area and makes for a versatile space. There are business groups, training courses and company away days booked throughout the day, but there’s enough individuality, history and personality to make it feel more than your standard corporate destination.
The best views come from the 18th green of the Brabazon course. But while golf is the focal point here, non-golf fans wouldn’t feel alienated by the feel of it.
Which room?
Our comfortable, well-sized ‘double double room’ overlooked the final hole of the Derby golf course. A balcony shared with the room next door offered a nice spot for a scotch after the round, as well as views towards the 1st tee of the Brabazon down to our left.
The hotel hosts 319 rooms and suites, and there are rooms available specifically for families which include essentials like baby changing mats and bottle warmers. For something a little extra special, the Belfry also offers the Brabazon Lodge for up to eight people overlooking the famous 10th tee of Brabazon, consisting of a private lodge offering four bedrooms and an outdoor hot tub.
Extracurricular
Golf is king here, as you’d expect. The resort boasts three courses. First and foremost there’s the Brabazon, which has played host to the Ryder Cup and welcomed the biggest names in the history of the game over the years.
Despite hearing about the legacy and reputation of the par 72 course, I still didn’t necessarily expect to find a track so bursting with imagination and full of character. Parklands courses can be a slog in the off season, but despite heavy rain we found the course in fantastic shape during our visit.
The most famous holes here are the 10th and the 18th, and both lived up to the hype. Attempting to replicate the actions of Seve Ballesteros and drive the 10th green turned out to be fruitless during our round, and we ended up stuck out among the trees on the right. Still, we found every hole to have personality, while the length (7,250 yards off the back tees) and the cannily placed water hazards and bunkers made for a real challenge. The greens were pure in mid-November too, and blessed with subtle undulations and extensive false fronts.
Finishing on the 18th is a delight, as players are tasked with not one but two intimidating shots over water. The finish up towards the clubhouse is one of the most aesthetically pleasing you’ll find in the UK, and with winter rates starting at £65, we also believe it to be fantastic value for money; it’s not often you get to play a world class course for less than £100, regardless of the time of year.
The second course is the PGA National, which is a championship course in its own right that has hosted European Tour events in the past. Just as long and challenging as the Brabazon, it’s designed as an inland links course with plenty of interesting layouts and challenging holes. Finally, there’s the Derby which offers a more relaxed experience from just £20 a round. There’s also a fully stocked pro shop and a driving range with Top Tracer technology a short walk from the first tee boxes.
It’s not just golf. For families, there’s a children’s outdoor adventure playground. The hotel can also arrange packages for nearby attractions Twycross Zoo, Drayton Manor, Cadbury World, Ash End House Children’s Farm, National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham and Lucky Tails Alpaca Farm.
Spa
There are spa facilities a short walk from the main reception, through the labyrinthine corridors of the ground floor. Facilities open to hotel guests include a compact but functional pool, as well as a sauna and steam room. I enjoyed an early morning visit there and it proved a comfortable way to loosen up for the day ahead, and work of the evening before.
The resort’s ‘Fire and Ice’ experience offers 60-minutes of relaxation though a selection of bio thermal rooms, and can be purchased for an additional £25. There’s a long list of bookable treatments including facials, massages and manicures or pedicures. The Leisure Club also holds a gym, a yoga studio and spin classes, and there’s a tennis court and a mini golf course too.
Food & drink
We spent an enjoyable couple of hours propping up the impressive central bar right next to reception, which comes into its own at night. The main point of call for refreshments, though, was the Ryder Grill, which consists of a bright and airy dining space. It’s far from the stuffy, wood-lined dining rooms that come to mind when thinking of traditional golfing haunts.
The vegetarian options were impressive: our picks were a delicate cheese soufflé and a killer sticky toffee pudding. My dad, who is a coeliac, found the staff to be very knowledgeable and attentive to his dietary requirements. Thankfully, there was no need to swap anything out for his choice of main: fillet steak, another winner.
Breakfast, we have to say, was much needed after enjoying the Belfry’s hospitality a little over-zealously the night before. The Ryder Grill hosts a buffet on the mornings with all the elements needed for a proper full English. Other dining options on site include the Italian themed Rocca’s Pizza Pasta, as well as afternoon tea room The Brabazon Bar and drinking spot Sam’s Club House.
Details
Two nights, two rounds from £194 per person. Includes a two-night stay, breakfast and two rounds of golf on either The Brabazon, PGA National or The Derby. Lichfield Road, Wishaw, Sutton Coldfield, B76 9PR; thebelfry.com
