Rockliffe Hall Stay & Play Review

Rockliffe Hall is a five-star luxury retreat featuring a historic hotel, spa, three restaurants and a Championship golf course. The course is playing host to events of increasing significance as a result of its high quality design and immaculate presentation. Golfshake sent Ambassador Rob Treanor on a short break to discover this gem of the North East.

Intro

A suitably grand entrance and impressive drive through the grounds greets visitors on arrival at Rockliffe Hall. The estate spans an enormous 375 acres and is set on the banks of the River Tees. Owing to the scale of the site, a sense of spaciousness and grandeur results with an immediate feeling of calm and escapism synonymous with the hotel’s status as a true five-star venue.

Accommodation

This really is a five-star resort, with opulent communal areas and guest accommodation which borderline requires sizing using acreage. Each guest bedroom is uniquely designed, making no two stays at Rockliffe Hall quite the same. Exquisite touches include the pre-set arrays of mood lighting, huge showers, deep bath tubs complete with televisions, and of course; the fantastic views across the gorgeous estate. A multitude of little touches make this a memorable experience with attention to detail bordering on the magical.

Food & Drink

The Clubhouse is a much smarter venue than its title suggests. As well as a spike bar for informal golf fayre, the Clubhouse Restaurant offers an appealing menu in a modern and chic setting overlooking the course. With options such as lemon sole and an array of different steaks to complement more traditional clubhouse offerings, this is a more upmarket experience than at most establishments which share the name. Almost invisible from the main hotel given its naturalised, grass covered roof; exploring the pretty mood lit path which leads from the hotel to The Clubhouse is an experience in itself.

A relaxed, modern bistro is also on offer at the hotel’s signature TERRA restaurant which has re-opened in January 2025 following a refurbishment. TERRA becomes the hotel’s main restaurant until the recently announced multi-million pound renovation delivers a spectacular "world-class dining experience" via a new flagship restaurant in the iconic Grade II listed Old Hall.

Facilities

Unsurprisingly for a five-star resort, not much is found wanting at Rockliffe Hall. A significant (50,000 square foot no less) spa and swimming pool complex awaits ready to revise, rejuvenate and revitalise. The spa garden offers an outside experience not to miss complete with an infinity pool and panoramic views. Inside there is a 20 metre swimming pool complemented by a hydro pool and an adults only area to ensure the ultimate in relaxation.

Golf

The golf course at Rockliffe Hall was opened in 2009 having been designed by the architects at Hawtree, who have an impressive reputation. Measuring in at an astonishing 7,879 yards from the tips, it can provide a test to the very best who play the game. Don't let the length put you off though, as there are five different tee box combinations to play from, which are positioned to allow all standards of golfer to enjoy this great course.

An excellent pair of holes await at four and five, with the former offering several different playing options. This par four creeps to the right around a lake, offering a cautious shot straight down the fairway which defers the need to carry water until later in the hole. Alternatively, a more aggressive approach plays over water from the tee which will significantly shorten the approach to the crafty green. A thinking golf hole which requires a combination of strategy and execution.

The signature fifth is picture postcard pretty. This par three plays over a lake to a raised island green framed by a pair of bunkers either side. Formidable at first glance and more so when stood over the ball, this stunning 162 yard hole will reward a well struck shot, though anything short will require a reload.

The legendary 436 yard 8th is a lengthy par four to put it mildly and is graded as stroke index one. Given Rockliffe Hall’s status as the "hardest course in the UK", this being the most difficult hole on the course, means it is technically the most difficult hole in the UK! 

The round finishes strongly with two excellent thinking holes at 17 and 18. The penultimate hole plays to an offset fairway which forces players to pick a line from the tee. The closer to the green, the greater the risk of catching the wetland which the ball needs to carry, meaning there are endless possible ways to play. A genuinely excellent golf hole and possibly the best on the course.

The 18th plays back to the magnificently designed clubhouse. A handful of enormous oak trees make this hole all about angles, as players navigate to find an optimal line to approach the green from. The theatre-style approach finishes in front of the huge glass windows and outside seating of the bar and restaurant which is raised up from the level of the green. This adds a little extra pressure to the finishing blows of this excellent golf course. Our full feature review can be found here.

Summary

Rockliffe Hall offers a uniquely luxurious experience for a UK stay and play venue. A genuinely excellent golf course is partnered with a five star hotel featuring all associated facilities. The level of service and attention to detail which awaits guests lucky enough to enjoy a golf break make this an unforgettable experience.