Donnington & Co

There is a particular kind of golf break that rarely gets the attention it deserves — not the pilgrimage to a bucket-list links, not the corporate jolly at a five-star resort, but the unpretentious, genuinely enjoyable escape, where the course is fun rather than fearsome and the hotel is comfortable rather than cavernous. Donnington & Co, tucked into the rolling West Berkshire countryside just south of Newbury, does exactly that kind of break very well. The property sits within the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty — gentle hills, mature woodland, wide skies — and feels far further from the world than its location suggests: London is just an hour away and Reading is barely 30 minutes.

Hotel & Spa

The hotel has 113 bedrooms designed for genuine comfort, many with views across the fairways and the Berkshire hills beyond. It is a relaxed, four-star base that works well for golf groups, families, couples and mixed-party breaks where not everyone plays golf. The spa is considered one of the finest in Berkshire, using TEMPLESPA products across spa days, spa breaks and a health club — a strong draw for non-golfing partners, or for tired legs the morning after a long round. PRESS, the hotel’s main restaurant, holds two AA Rosettes for a seasonal, locally sourced approach to British cooking. For a more relaxed alternative, The Hangout is the seasonal restaurant open from April to October, offering al fresco dining with a laid-back vibe. Think sharing platters and chef-led barbecue cooking — ideal for warm evenings and easy dining outdoors.

Golf Course

The golf course at Donnington & Co is an attractive 18-hole, par-71 parkland layout measuring 6,221 yards from the back tees. Mature trees, water hazards, natural changes in elevation and strategically placed bunkers combine to create a course that is both enjoyable and genuinely challenging.

The course suits golf breaks and groups of mixed abilities well. Generous fairways and an absence of excessively punishing rough make it accessible and enjoyable for the higher-handicap golfer, while the layout, hazards and highly undulating greens provide a very different test for more accomplished players. Good course management and a confident putting stroke are essential, with the slopes and subtle breaks on the greens capable of testing even the best golfers.

The front nine provides an enjoyable introduction before the course becomes noticeably more demanding on the back nine. Changes in elevation, tighter approaches, water and challenging green complexes combine to create a memorable second half where a good score has to be earned all the way to the clubhouse.

Overlooking the 9th and 18th greens is the Grade II listed Snelsmore House, home to the golf clubhouse and a backdrop to the closing holes. Golfers can also make use of the practice putting and chipping areas, while the well-stocked Professional Shop provides equipment, clothing, accessories and expert advice.

As part of the wider Donnington & Co resort experience, golfers can combine their rounds with hotel accommodation, good food and the chance to relax in the spa afterwards.

Donnington & Co is just minutes from both the M4 and A34, making it easily accessible from London, the Thames Valley, the Midlands and the South of England. Its position also makes it a strong base from which to explore Newbury and the wider West Berkshire area, as well as the many golf courses across Berkshire and Oxfordshire.