How I turned left at the M25 to discover a luxury urban oasis
Grandeur, golf and a gastronomic extravaganza combine at The Grove in Hertfordshire, a gem of a getaway destination just a stone’s throw from Britain’s busiest motorway.
On the peaceful, winding road up to The Grove, it’s hard to believe that only five minutes ago I was being overtaken by thundering 70mph juggernauts on a four-lane motorway.
Just 18 miles from central London, this unexpected oasis is set among 300 acres of beautiful Hertfordshire countryside, and the imposing hill-top property boasts 214 rooms and suites across the Mansion (which dates back to the 16th century and has been home to the Earls of Clarendon) and the contemporary West Wing.
A three-year refurbishment project was completed in 2023, which saw a new look for the rooms and suites at the Mansion undertaken by Martin Hulbert Design of London, with individual designs for suites in terracotta, blue or green featuring bespoke furniture and fittings, marble bathrooms and restored working fireplaces.
The signature Sequoia Spa was also totally refurbished in this period, and reopened with a new treatment menu showcasing treatments from sustainable skin and bodycare brand Bamford, whose products feature across the whole property, including my deluxe room in the West Wing.
Par Excellence
One of The Grove’s most renowned amenities is its golf course, the only UK venue to host a prestigious World Golf Championship event (won by legend Tiger Woods) plus a British Masters. As part of the resort’s commitment to supporting the women’s game, it also staged the final event of the high-profile 2023 Rose Ladies’ Series, with Senior PGA Assistant Professional Fenella Buss continuing to work on two game-growing initiatives for the women’s game with the R&A and England Golf.
As you’d expect from a course of this calibre, a round here is a seamless experience, from parking, check-in and club cleaning assisted by the friendly operations team to negotiating the manicured fairways and greens of this glorious championship course in a state-of-the-art GPS buggy. For the serious golfer, the driving range even features sophisticated Trackman technology to analyse your swing and (hopefully) see that handicap drop.
Tucking in
Gastronomy is another big draw for The Grove, and among its many options is The Glasshouse, the West Wing’s flagship venue and home to a culinary experience that went viral last year. Fans of TV show Million Dollar Buffet will already have had a sneak peek at this all-you-can-eat extravaganza and, as I discover, it certainly lives up to its star billing.
Leave your preconceptions of a traditional buffet behind – this is more like a smorgasbord of upmarket street food stalls, with ’live’ cooking stations featuring everything from pasta and hand-stretched pizza to curries, salads and grilled meat and fish.
I begin my belly-busting adventure at the seafood station, picking up langoustine plus a selection of nigiri with super-fresh salmon and yellow-fin tuna. Next up is a visit to the carving station, where it’s always a Sunday roast day with all the trimmings, then off to the Asian station to pick up some tender lamb curry with naan bread and chutneys. I finish with options from the charcuterie and cheese station, then manage to squeeze down a raspberry cheesecake from the dessert station. Eclectic, yes; a little indulgent, definitely; but in my opinion you’d be hard pressed to find a better-quality buffet (£65pp Mon-Thu; £82pp Fri-Sun).
If a la carte is more your thing, award-winning Madhu’s at the Grove offers upscale Indian cuisine in the Mansion, while The Stables serves hearty British classics and incorporates a separate bar where returning golfers can relax with a drink. Snacks and Asian-inspired light meals can be ordered in The Lounges, while Sequoia Kitchen provides a range of healthy dishes including poke bowls for spa goers.
Young at heart
It’s not just the grown-ups who are well catered for at The Grove – it’s also become a go-to destination for families.
Parents can join in the fun with their kids at an impressive range of activities including archery, laser clay pigeon shooting and horse riding, or take in a woodland hawking and falconry display. There are also various woodland trails to choose from that can be tackled on foot or by bike.
The real hidden gem here, though, is the walled garden, which opens up another raft of opportunities to keep kids active and engaged. Open seasonally, it’s home to a heated outdoor pool, man-made beach, activity lawn with croquet, badminton and giant chess plus two all-weather tennis courts. There’s also a potting shed where little ones can get their hands dirty at gardening workshops and Jemima’s Kitchen Garden, a bio-diverse area full of vibrant flowers which also provides organic produce for the resort’s restaurants.
If mums and dads want to escape to the refurbished Sequoia Spa for a spot of R&R, they can drop the kids off at Anouska’s Kids Club, The Grove’s Ofsted-registered hub for children aged 2-9, where qualified staff will keep kids entertained and provide healthy snacks. It’s open daily during the school holidays and on Saturdays all-year-round for children of hotel residents and spa members (sessions can be booked in three-hour time slots and cost £45 per child).
No longer just known for its golf getaways, The Grove has upped its game to embrace those looking for a romantic rendezvous, a rejuvenating wellbeing break or an activity-packed family – all just minutes away from the M25.
How to book it
A Golf Escape package at The Grove starts from £387 per person and includes an overnight stay in a Classic West Wing Room (based on two sharing), one round of golf per person, use of all facilities including Sequoia Spa and Asher’s Woodland Trails, three-course dinner at The Stables and breakfast.
Good to know
- Go for the full country estate vibe – Hunter wellingtons are available to borrow from the Activity Centre for walks on particularly muddy days.
- The chefs at a la carte eatery The Stables try to follow the seasons and achieve low-food miles, using lots of freshly picked produce from The Grove’s walled garden.
- Sustainability initiatives in place at the resort include a rainfall compensation system and built-in wetland within the woodland areas.
- Materials for the fixtures and fittings (antiques aside) in the new-look suites in The Mansion were sourced in the UK, with the original floors also being restored.
- Arsenal fans can benefit from The Grove's executive box at the Emirates Stadium with an overnight stay at the resort and a matchday experience starting from £765pp.
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Place of registration: England and Wales.
Company number 08723341.
Registered address: 6th Floor, 2 London Wall Place, London EC2Y 5AU
