Overstone Park Hotel, Golf and Leisure Resort

I only played golf and can’t give a full review of the accommodation, since I didn’t stay. From outside it looks lovely, especially by the lake, where the setting is stunning. The course layout was great, with plenty of holes that make you think. For this time of year it was in pretty good condition, and I’d recommend it to golfers of all handicaps.

The course layout was very good, especially the signature 17th, but its green was in poor shape. The tee boxes were mud with little or no grass, and what grass remained was burnt and sparse. Wildlife had dug up the greens, and they hadn’t been looked after. In my 30 years of playing golf, this is one of the worst-managed courses I’ve played. If I were a member, I’d be very angry about its condition.

We go to the pool every week for swimming lessons, but feedback to staff about the problems never seems to make any difference. The changing rooms are always dirty, with puddles of slimy water and hair on the floor. Repairs in the changing rooms and around the pool look bodged. One of the poolside windows has slipped down in its frame, leaving a gap of about 1-2 inches open to the weather. It’s been that way for over a year. The bridge at the entrance also feels rotten underfoot, and your feet sink as you cross. The lovely pond that used to be under it is gone, apparently because of a rat problem. We saw the rat traps.

Sue, the organiser, was there throughout the planning and even came in on the Saturday of our wedding, when she’d usually be off, to make sure everything ran smoothly. She couldn’t do enough for us and saw that all our wishes were carried out. The staff were friendly and helpful, and the food was amazing. Our guests commented on how nice it was. The setting was beautiful, with views of the golf course from the function area and a lovely veranda for a warm day. We booked for our wedding this May, found it great value, and would highly recommend it.