SAMPLE ITINERARY
EXETER
CHAUFFEUR DRIVEN
HELICOPTER TRANSFER
LUXURY POWERBOAT
GOLF COURSES
HOTELS
RESTAURANTS
GUERNSEY JERSEY
ENGLISH CHANNEL
DOVER
LE HAVRE
AUX PÊCHEURS D'ETAPLES
LA MER AT LE TOUQUET GOLF CLUB CALAIS
Iconic Luxury Hotels and Bravo Whisky Golf have partnered to curate the ultimate golfing 3-night, 4-day mini adventure. Featuring two of England’s most famous hotels and country estates, Cliveden House and Chewton Glen, and world-class golf in Berkshire, Dorset and the North Coast of France. BWG will use their logistical expertise to organise efficient and luxurious travel by private charter helicopter.
Day 1 - Afternoon
A leisurely start to your adventure will see you gather at the magnificent Grade I stately home, Cliveden House - a five AA Red Star award-winning hotel, located in the heart of London’s countryside in Berkshire, just 40 minutes from London and 25 minutes from Heathrow. After enjoying a sumptuous afternoon tea overlooking the glorious estate, you will have time to explore the 376 acres of beautifully presented National Trust grounds, including manicured gardens, beautiful woods, parkland and relaxing walks along the Thames.
The House is preserved by The National Trust and steeped in history, power and politics, home to many important pieces of art; a private tour can be arranged to bring its rich heritage to life. You will also have use of Cliveden’s spa and heated outdoor swimming pool, and later the choice to dine in the formal Cliveden Dining Room or more relaxed The Astor Grill, located beside the clocktower in the former stables.
Day 2
After Breakfast at Cliveden House you will be chauffeur driven to either Sunningdale GC, or Swinley Forest GC (depending on availability and your preference) for 18 holes of golf.
At Sunningdale you will be hosted by a prominent Member of the Club who will make you feel comfortable, and ensure you have everything you require before taking on ‘The Old’.
This Willie Park Jnr designed course was the first truly great course to be built on the magical Surrey/Berkshire sand belt. Opened in 1901 and lined with pine, birch and oak trees (the Club’s emblem being based on the huge specimen oak that stands next to the 18th green) it has influences from Harry Colt who was Secretary and Captain in the Club’s early years.
Memorable holes include the par 4 5th: from an elevated tee the fairway below is bordered by heather, golden grass and dark green forest. There are 2 fairway bunkers in the right half of the fairway and a small pond and 4 sentinel bunkers to protect the green. Success calls for 2 pure and accurate shots. The 10th is a fabulous driving hole. From an elevated tee the fairway is shaped left to right, for the biggest hitters that avoid the fairway bunkers, the reward is a mid-iron into the green. By the time you have putted out, you will be ready for refreshments in the legendary halfway hut.
Swinley Forest GC was the brainchild of a disgruntled Sunningdale founder member Edward Stanley, the 17th Earl of Derby.
Lady Derby, a keen golfer, was unable to set foot in Sunningdale as women were not permitted. Lord Stanley mentioned this conundrum to King Edward VII who suggested Lord Stanley build his own course at Swinley Forest, which at the time was part of Windsor Great Park. The empathetic King provided the land (at peppercorn rent), and Lord Stanley built the clubhouse and commissioned Harry Colt to design the links.
Until the 1990’s Swinley Forest GC was frozen in time, exclusive and unusual; it did not even have a Club Captain or indeed allocated pars for each of the holes. The course has been recently extended to 6,400 yards and with a par 69 is testing and delightful. This heathland golf on the London sandbelt has mature pines, firm fairways, challenging greens, a hint of eccentricity, and an old world exclusiveness that sets it apart from its more glitzy neighbours.
After a hearty lunch at Sunningdale/ Swinley Forest you will be chauffeur driven to Ascot Racecourse where your executive helicopter (Agusta Westland 109) will be ready to fly you to Chewton Glen situated on the edge of the New Forest, adjacent to the Dorset coast. You will have time to relax and enjoy this 5-Star Relais & Chateau luxury hotel and spa, home to a driving range, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, and 130 acres of gardens and woodland to explore.
Day 3
Following breakfast at Chewton Glen you will be chauffeur driven to Parkstone GC for 18 holes.
Parkstone GC is a seaside heathland course; not a traditional links, nor situated inland, making it an unusual and unique course located on a sandy tract of undulating heathland. As the jewel in the crown of Dorset golf, the fairways are lined with pine and heather with panoramic views over Poole harbour, across to Brownsea island and the Isle of Purbeck. Also designed originally by Willie Park Jnr in 1909, the new course on land formerly owned by Lord Wimborne was revised and lengthened by James Braid in 1932.
Famous golfer and broadcaster Peter Alliss became a professional in 1957, remaining at the Club until 1970. Measuring 6,300 yards from the back tees, there are a number of risk/reward par 5’s and great little par 3’s, our favourite being the 7th with a 3-tier green sloping from back to front. The 18th is a picturesque hole where it is best to miss short right and always be content with a 3 on your scorecard on this tough finishing hole.
Alternative courses (subject to availability) include Ferndown GC, Isle of Purbeck GC and Broadstone GC.
On conclusion of your round, your clubs will be taken back to Chewton Glen and your chauffeur will take you to The Jetty Restaurant in Christchurch for a lazy lunch in one of the best alfresco dining spots in the UK. With fresh fish caught each day from Mudeford Quay, seafood includes local oysters, lobster and shrimps. The Jetty is the perfect place to open a bottle of wine and take in the breathtaking shoreline setting.
Driving to Lymington Yacht Haven, you will board a luxury powerboat for a late afternoon and sundown adventure on the Solent. You will explore its wildlife and history, passing Hurst Castle before crossing the Solent to the Isle of Wight, to see The Needles. Later you will boat to Yarmouth where you will disembark and explore this small town before having a drink at The George Hotel and Beach Club situated in between the town’s pier and castle. After the short crossing back to Lymington, your chauffeur will whisk you back to Chewton Glen in time for a fabulous dinner in The Dining Room, followed by relaxing in the bar or spa, and then a restful night in a sumptuous bedroom.
Day 4
After a good night’s sleep, and hearty breakfast at Chewton Glen, your final day will begin with a helicopter journey across the Channel to Brittany in northwest France. Landing at Dinard airport we will chauffeur drive you to Dinard GC a short distance away on the sandy emerald coast at Saint-Briac-Sur-Mer.
The fairways at Dinard GC date back to 1880 when a group of British servicemen established a number of sporting clubs. North Berwick professional Tom Dunn was enlisted to set out a course amongst the gorse and broom on a 125-acre site next to the sea that was previously occupied by sheep and cattle. It wasn’t long before Dinard GC became the most fashionable place to play golf in France, attracting aristocracy including the Grand Duke of Russia. Subsequent alterations have been made to the course, including by Willie Park in 1912.
What the course lacks in length, it makes up for in charm. It only has one par 5 (the dog leg 4th) and has a par 68. A precise challenge, out of bounds, comes into play on many of the holes. One of the feature holes, the par 3 165yrd 13th ‘les Essarts’ plays uphill from an old World War II concrete fortification to an exposed flag position on a ridge top green. The standout hole however is the 350yrd 6th where the hole’s undulations are wild and untamed as nature intended. The fairway is narrow with a three-step elevation change sweeping down to the ocean on the right. The hollows can create some interesting stances for the approach which is played to a steep faced green surrounded by swales and native rough.
Lunch afterwards will be in the art deco 1920’s Clubhouse Restaurant, which is known for its excellent cuisine and friendly service. Weather permitting you will enjoy a memorable afternoon on the terrace.
An alternative to Dinard GC and Restaurant is golfing at La Mer at Le Touquet GC followed by lunch at Aux Pêcheurs d’Etaples.
After a long lunch you will be chauffeur driven back to Dinard GC for another scenic helicopter transfer along the Brittany coastline before crossing the Channel heading northwards to your final destination: either Fairoaks Airport (where a transfer can be arranged into London) or Cliveden House.
Perfect for a long weekend, or for the international traveller to bolt onto an existing schedule whilst in the UK, this mini 4-day/3-night journey by private charter aircraft includes some of the finest properties and estates in England from the Iconic Luxury Hotel Group. Dining in renowned restaurants and playing a rich variety of courses from Berkshire and Dorset to the rugged Brittany coast, with a stunning powerboat experience along the way, this short break promises to be an adventure that will linger long in the memory.
Prices
The Price is £14,750pp based on 4 travelling guests
Inclusions and exclusions: The price includes the following:
• 1 night B&B Cliveden House (based on £445 per room and single occupancy - an opportunity to upgrade for additional cost)
• 2 nights B&B Chewton Glen (based on £405 garden room single occupancy and an opportunity to upgrade for additional cost)
• Champagne welcome afternoon tea at Cliveden on Day 1
• Luxury Powerboat Experience from Lymington Yacht Haven (or other activity according to preference/ weather) to The Isle of Wight, via Hurst Castle and The Needles
• 18 holes of golf at Sunningdale or Swinley Forest (subject to availability)
• 18 holes golf at Parkstone GC or Isle of Purbeck GC, Broadstone GC or Ferndown GC (subject to availability)
• Golf at Dinard GC or La Mer at Le Touquet (Subject to availability)
• All vehicle transfers from Cliveden and Chewton Glen and in France
• Agusta 109 executive Helicopter transfer from Ascot to Chewton Glen, from Chewton Glen to Dinard/ Le Touquet and return to Fairoaks Airport or Cliveden House
• Management of all customs between the UK and France
• A BWG host travelling with the party
• BWG merchandise
• Contribution to National Trust (unless a member)
Not included
• Food and beverage (unless stated) lunches and dinners
• Activities at Cliveden House or Chewton Glen, unless stated
• Optional 4th-night stay at Cliveden