Stoke Park Hotel

Berkshire

When Auric Goldfinger’s Korean manservant Oddjob whipped off a statue’s head with a toss of his steel-rimmed Sandringham hat, Stoke Park became immortalised in movie legend for eternity. Connery’s Bond’s round of golf here is arguably the most famous representation of the sport on the silver screen and it couldn’t be on a more fitting course. Visually stunning and challenging from hole one to 18, it undulates around the estate and never strays far from the iconic mansion, which was the first country club in the UK. Evidence of the estate can be traced back nearly 1,000 years, although its current guise began in 1908, when it opened as a hotel. Each corridor and crevice exudes classic country house charm. Wood-panelled communal rooms feel clubby and homely, which extends to the bedrooms, all of which are individually designed and the perfect place for a cosy autumn escape. The restaurant, cheffed by the excellent Chris Wheeler, majors in elevated clubhouse classics; his take on ham, egg and chips is nothing short of sublime. A brilliant spa and 13 tennis courts complete the package. Doubles from £310.