LUXURY country hotel, spa and golf estate Matfen Hall will welcome the first guests to its new 18-hole championship golf course this weekend, June 26-28.
Following many months of anticipation, The Douglas at Matfen Hall will greet its first players over the weekend – and marks the first big milestone in a total transformation of Northumberland’s first and only five star country estate’s golf facilities following a multi-million pound investment.
The Douglas at Matfen Hall has been many months in the making and has been carefully designed to challenge, inspire and reward golfers of all abilities. Named in honour of the estate’s heritage, The Douglas combines nine newly designed greens with the classic character of the original layout.
Dry stone walls, natural water obstacles and the fast-flowing River Pont all feature in this 18-hole journey across some of Northumberland’s finest countryside. A brand new irrigation system has also been added.
Eight new greens have been created on the course originally known as Douglas, along with one new green on Standing Stone – and both courses have now merged to create The Douglas at Matfen Hall. The estate’s other course, the nine-hole Dewlaw, remains the same.
Matfen Hall Golf Club members will get a first look at an exclusive preview day on Friday 26, before The Douglas welcomes players at a now sold-out Invitational event on Saturday 27. There are still a handful of tee times still available on Saturday afternoon for visitors who wish to be among the first to play.
The celebrations will continue into Sunday 28 with the grand opening of The Himalayas Putting Green. Brand new for 2026, the Himalayas is located next to the main country house and is easily accessible to guests and visitors.
Entry to The Himalayas will cost £5, which includes a premium branded ball and entry into competitions throughout the day.
The opening of The Douglas at Matfen Hall and the Himalayas form the first stage of a full overhaul of the estate’s golf facilities, with more to follow in the coming months.
A new, 15-bay driving range with Toptracer technology and a Power Tee system is set to open later this summer, along with an Academy Putting Course, featuring 18-holes linked to the driving range by a cafe and retail shop. A short game practice facility and a par-three course will also follow.
James Huntly, Head of Marketing at Matfen Hall country hotel, spa and golf estate is looking forward to revealing the first stage of this major redevelopment.
“It’s been a long time in the making and we have had to be patient with the Northumbrian weather as we waited for the new greens to grow in, but finally we are ready to open The Douglas at Matfen Hall and The Himalayas,” he said.
“The Douglas officially launches on June 27 and we already have a booked out competition that day but we will be welcoming everyone from June 28 and we can’t wait for people to come in, see it and play the course for themselves. We’re sure it will be a huge hit with golfers of all abilities, from amateurs right through to professional players looking for a new challenge.
“We’re also very excited about the opening of The Himalayas. It will be something that the hotel guests can enjoy but for serious golfers, it will also be a nice place to spend time and get some extra practice.
“These openings mark the start of what is set to be a very busy year for Matfen Hall, as we follow with the full opening of the new golf estate in the coming months and of course, the opening of our new, state of the art spa later in the year.”
To discover more about The Douglas at Matfen Hall, The Himalayas and for bookings, please visit the website: https://matfenhall.com/golf/
