Ramside Hall, located in unspoilt countryside a few miles east of Durham, has become one of the most talked-about golf venues in the UK over the last 18 months, with a host of new and updated facilities putting it firmly on the path to becoming one of the leading golf resorts in the country.
GBN talks to John Adamson, Ramesides Estates’ owner and director, to tell us about the current developments and future ambitions for the venue.
GBN: The project at Ramside Hall has created a lot of interest over the last year – how excited are you about the developments?
John Adamson: Incredibly excited. This has been a project that everyone who works at Ramside has put their heart into and it is fantastic to see everything taking shape. We have always had a venue we have been proud of but the developments – some of which are complete and some of which are still in progress – really are set to take the visitor experience up a level. It is great to see!
What was it that made you want to develop and build on what you already had?
I have worked in the hospitality space for a long time and I really believe that now, more than ever, you have to be offering people so much more than what they experience on the golf course. I can remember some time ago, there was one day when it hit home: the rain was really coming down, people were sitting in the clubhouse as the courses weren’t playable, and there wasn’t really anything else to do. The driving range was pretty standard really; there wasn’t much to get them out there and I felt we were missing out. If they couldn’t play golf on the course, we just didn’t have the facilities to keep them here.
You have two golf courses, but much of the recent investment has focused on off-course developments. What are the reasons behind this?
The off-course entertainment, whether that’s relaxing and enjoying the food and beverage offering, or utilising the practice facilities, really does make a huge difference, so enhancing what we have and developing something new was key. That is where our Entertainment Centre and PIN sports hub comes into play, and our new two-tiered driving range.
Tell us about The Pin, which officially opened at the beginning of October…
The Pin really is the new centre point of Ramside Hall for golf and sport lovers, with its bar area serving as the perfect spot to unwind after a round, taking in all the sporting action on our multiple large screens. But you don’t have to have played golf to enjoy this; it’s for everyone to visit. Interactive electronic games, such as darts, shuffleboards and pool tables, make it great fun for family and friends, and of course you can grab a bite from an extensive menu. Next to the bar area we have a six-lane bowling alley, so it really is somewhere you can enjoy a night’s entertainment. It has everything!
You’ve also invested heavily in the driving range. How has that impacted on footfall?
The driving range is a fantastic upgrade from what we had before. It is not just somewhere where golfers can go and hit balls and work on their games – although it is perfect for that, of course – but is an area for socialising with friends and groups.
The Toptracer technology is great fun where you can test your skills playing virtual games. It is perfect for beginners or people who just want to have some fun. We have 43 bays and it is two-tiered so there is plenty of space, and with the PIN sports bar right next door, people can enjoy some food and drinks while they play. It is well-sheltered and heated – so fun all year round.
You can really dial in your game here, but our PGA teaching professionals will also be on hand to offer lessons and advice so you can take your best game out onto the course. The Toptracer data really does help with performance and teaching feedback.
What further plans do you have to develop that golf side of the business?
A new short-game area is currently in development. I genuinely believe there will be nothing else like it in the country. It will be positioned close to the clubhouse and PIN, will have two large greens and bunkered areas so plenty of space to practice, and the best part… it will be floodlit, so those golfers who want to work hard on their games through the winter months can still do so after work and into the evening. As I say, golfers want more and they want the very best, and the short-game area really will complement everything we have here at Ramside Hall.
We also are also making some signficant upgrades to our two golf courses. Some minor and some more extensive. We have already completed a lot of work on the Prince Bishop’s course, which will celebrate its 30th anniversary next year. Fairway and tee box maintenance, as well as some new bunker positions replacing obsolete ones, have really got the course looking at its best.
Meanwhile, on the Cathedral course, extensive work on the front nine and the development of new holes are set to enhance the course’s standing even further in 2026. Our Golf Course manager, Shaun Embleton, and his greenkeeping team led by Jonathan Flowers and Nick Mansell, have been fantastic.
The North East might not traditionally be noted as a hotbed for UK-based golf trips, but you must believe you have the perfect spot for golf groups to base themselves for exploring what the region has to offer…
This is one of the most beautiful parts of the country. I am a local lad, so I am bound to say that, but there is so much to see and do here. There is also some great golf to enjoy around Ramside and the Durham area, and we don’t want people to just visit us; we want people to experience the beauty of the North East and play other courses.
Of course, we think Ramside is the perfect spot to base yourself: two great courses, superb off-course facilities, a mix of accommodation options for couples, small and large groups. But we want visitors to get out and experience all that the area has to offer, because once you experience it you will want to come back.
What has been the financial scale of the investment?
Once all facilities have been developed, we will have invested over £8 million into the resort. But this is a project which we all care deeply about, and so we want to build something and a legacy at Ramside.
Finally, what has been the driving force behind this project?
The staff are incredible. Ramside Hall is a family business and the people who work here all play a part in its success. I am lucky to have a senior management team that covers all the bases and my sister, Helen Roseberry, alongside me as owner and Director. Everyone plays their part!
For more details, visit ramsidehallhotel.co.uk