Foxhills Club & Resort
Foxhills Club & Resort is a 400-acre resort in Ottershaw, Surrey, which caters for a wide variety of leisure pursuits. The facilities are extensive for those looking for an active stay or simply to relax and unwind with two Championship-standard golf courses and a par-three Manor course, 11 tennis courts, three squash courts, four swimming pools, an award-winning health spa, conference and meeting facilities, a youth club, a weekly cycling club, 70 bedrooms and three restaurants.
In the past year, the resort has invested heavily on a significant renovation programme, signalling the start of a new era for Foxhills over the coming months and years with a new main restaurant, the Practice Den – to add to the practice and golf coaching facilities – and the Yoga Cabin.
There are more developments on the horizon too with plans for a new youth club building and additional improvements, including new car parks, spa reception and 20 more bedrooms.
The Fox Dining Rooms
The main restaurant refurbishment was the first phase of the improvement scheme, which took place in early 2019. Situated in the 19th century Manor House, The Fox dining rooms is seen as a fitting tribute to the life of Charles James Fox, the charismatic politician of the late 18th century, from whom the club takes its name.
The new restaurant combines comfort with a relaxed feel with three dining areas; comprising of the Terrace, Music and Garden Rooms, with a beautiful patio overlooking the grounds.
Alex Michaelis – an award winning interior designer, known for his work at members’ clubs including the Groucho and Soho House – was behind the refurbishment, which has added a touch of fresh, understated style to the new-look restaurant.
Alex Michaelis from Michaelis Boyd told PREMIER HOSPITALITY MAGAZINE: “The project was the refurbishment of old music rooms at Foxhill Manor into restaurant space with three areas; with iconic tall oak hammerbeam ceiling and views of the golf course.
“The brief was to refurbish the existing spaces, highlighting the existing architectural features and developing a comfortable yet flexible environment. Changes were to include new floors, lighting, joinery and furniture. In terms of interior design, the proposal had to be sympathetic to the heritage of the site and provide a higher end venue.”
The main space boasts striking wallpaper depicting an Indian dream scene, which is a nod to Charles James Fox’s position as the first Foreign Secretary and his keen interest in the country. Also hanging here are two striking brass pendant lighting fixtures from celebrated British lighting designer Lee Broom.
Rich textures and comfort are at the core of the design, including ribbed banquette detailing paired distressed leathers and patterned velvets. Deep colours with high social references, particularly RAF blues and British racing green assist in creating a vibrant take on traditional clubs.
The design of the Terrace Room is deliberately more contemporary, designed playfully in a colonial style. A strong use of pattern in the tiled floor and painted tables was adopted to complement the tropical wallpaper, potted palms and juxtapose the more formal dining spaces.
To the end is the Garden Room, a private dining area for eight guests around a generous oak table. An antique pendant, dark green walls, timber shelf lights and panelled doors allude to a discreet drawing room here.
Throughout the design, joinery, furniture and lighting have been specified with strong rich colours and textural materials to complement the attractive architectural character of the spaces.
The Practice Den
As well as the refurbishment of the restaurant, a new practice den has been built and has been described as “up there with the best in the UK” by two-time European Tour winner, Anthony Wall – a graduate into the professional ranks as a teenager through the Foxhills Foundation, which supports talented and aspiring golfers.
The new floodlit area is 3,500 square metres with two practice bunkers, synthetic hitting areas and a 650 square metre green, used specifically for honing techniques around the green during a round. The facility was developed alongside renowned golf club architects Edwards Design International.
Foxhills Director of Golf & Leisure Chris Fitt said: “As we stand right now, I think our practice facilities are now the best in the region. I’m really pleased with the end result because we’ve got exactly what we wanted – it basically completes our offering. We have the nine-hole par three Manor course, nice driving range, two putting greens and now a bespoke chipping, pitching and bunker facility. There’s not much more a golfer of any ability could want or need.”
Yoga Cabin
Set among the trees and beside its award-winning Spa, Foxhills members and guests now have the ideal venue to find their own unique tranquillity in the new-state-of-the-art Yoga Cabin. Its serene woodland setting is the perfect location to participate in more than 30 different classes under expert guidance, which can only enhance the peace and harmony associated with the ancient practice of yoga.
Constructed by Blue Forest, whose tree houses attracted the attention of the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, at the Chelsea Flower Show, the new building is nestled alongside the existing spa. Using only certified timbers from sustainably-managed forests where there is an active strategy of replanting and habitat regeneration, the building extends the eco-friendly ethos with bird boxes, while the planting has been designed to encourage butterflies and bees to the area.
Tutor-led groups are tailored to suit all participants – from first timers to experts – with 60 of the best instructors lined up to teach a range of attractive classes with the physical gains of improved flexibility and core strength, combined with the associated mental benefits.
Classes include:
- Reformer Pilates.
- Candlelit Restorative Yoga.
- Yoga Basics.
- Pilates for Golf.
- Dynamic Vinyasa Flow Yoga.
- Pure Stretch.
- Pure Yoga.
- Yoga & Meditation.
- Core Yoga.
Rosie Allen, Leisure Manager at Foxhills said: “It will be an excellent new facility for everyone to enjoy and we believe it is up here with the best you can find anywhere in the region. Yoga is an increasingly popular activity for both men and women and has been shown to make a really positive impact on people’s loves, both physically and mentally.”
For more information visit: https://www.foxhills.co.uk/
Blue Forest
From its offices in East Sussex, Blue Forest designs and builds luxury tree houses and unique sustainable structures. The company offers a turnkey solution to private and commercial clients, from architectural design and planning consultancy through to construction, commercial project management and maintenance.
Blue Forest is regarded as the world’s leading tree house consultant and is renowned for designing buildings that reflect the environment in which they are built. It was founded in 2003 by Andy Payne and is now run by Andy and his brother Simon.
The company was recently responsible for the design and build of the new Yoga Studio at Foxhills Country Club & Resort.
Caryn Mitten, Blue Forest Marketing Co-ordinator, said:
“We really enjoyed working on this project as the principle throughout the design of the studio was to reflect and compliment the surrounding landscape through the use of a predominately timber natural aesthetic. Through innovative craftmanship, we were able to produce a beautiful studio that compliments the existing spa amenities whilst not detracting from the natural surroundings and this is something we pride ourselves in.”
Blue Forest takes pride in its inclusive approach to design and bringing together the right team of experts to deliver projects to the highest possible standard. To find out more, please visit www.blueforest.com.