Slaley Hall

The Priestman Course at Slaley Hall occupies rolling Northumberland countryside approximately twenty miles west of Newcastle upon Tyne. Designed by Neil Coles and opened in the mid-1990s, it serves as the resort's second eighteen-hole layout, complementing the older Hunting Course. Coles, a former Ryder Cup player who transitioned to course design, created a parkland routing that works through mature woodland and open moorland terrain characteristic of this part of northeast England. The course plays across varied elevation changes, with holes moving through stands of pine and deciduous trees while offering occasional views toward the Pennines to the south. Water features appear on several holes, and the layout incorporates both strategic bunkering and natural contours to define playing corridors and green complexes. The design generally favors accuracy over pure distance, rewarding players who navigate the tree-lined fairways and position themselves carefully for approaches. Slaley Hall operates as a hotel and golf resort, making the Priestman Course accessible to visitors alongside resort guests. The property hosts corporate events and regional competitions, though it maintains a lower profile than championship venues elsewhere in northern England. The course provides a woodland golf experience distinct from the links courses found along Northumberland's coast, offering an inland alternative within the region's golf landscape.