Nestling in idyllic surroundings, the Dorset Golf & Country Club is the county’s only five-star resort and represents the perfect venue to take a short break.

But don’t just take our word for it, take that of the British Tourist Board who have awarded the resort its 5-Star Gold Award - the highest accolade possible.

The Dorset venue received the award from Visit Britain in recognition of its luxury homes, food, attention to detail, customer service and surroundings and it’s easy to see why once you have visited.

Situated in Bere Regis near Poole, Dorset Golf & Country Club offers 27 holes of the most challenging golf in Dorset and is recognised as one of the golfing gems in the south-west of England.

With its 5-Star Gold status, wonderful championship golf courses and new indoor leisure centre, which includes a championship bowling arena and comes complete with gym and sauna, this is a true all-year round resort.

And the venue’s commitment to investment has continued with the unveiling of its new £500,000 ‘Woodland Cottage’.

The four-bedroom house will have pride of place on the Woodland Golf Course amongst the stunning rhododendrons and will be built to the same specification as its award-winning neighbours. Four luxury twin-bedrooms and immaculate facilities will be the icing on the Dorset resort’s already popular Scandinavian log homes.

Dorset Golf & Country Club’s Lakeland, Parkland and Woodland Courses, designed by Martin Hawtree, offer fabulous championship golf for all abilities and are the ultimate challenge.

All the courses have been built to the highest standards and boast USGA specification greens and tees, while they have also hosted many championship tournaments in the region.

A recently upgraded ‘watermation’ system keep the courses in pristine condition, even throughout the hottest of temperatures, which make the courses are a joy to play in any conditions.

In addition, the club recently saw a huge investment with improved irrigation, additional pathways and numerous cosmetic enhancements taking the courses to a new level. Great grass coverage on tees ensures no mats will be used throughout the winter or any period for that matter.

Set on heathland, the courses withstands even the toughest of Britain’s notoriously fickle winters and haven’t closed in more than eight years.

The Championship Lakeland/Parkland Course, par 72, provides a great golfing experience with beautifully sculptured greens, surrounded by cleverly placed bunkers. The course also boasts some of the most picturesque lakes and waterways you could find on any course.

With a par of 33, the Woodland Course offers a contrasting challenge to the main course with tight tree-lined fairways which have been carved through a forest of rhododendrons.

Any combination of the Lakeland, Parkland and Woodland lay-outs can be combined to create an exciting and different 18 holes each time you play.

For practice, there’s an impressive undercover floodlit driving range while the resident golf professionals will look after your every need.

A variety of packages are available and can be tailored to a group or society’s requirements and the resort’s facilities are just as impressive off the course.

The unique air-conditioned clubhouse with restaurant and two further function rooms is beautifully furnished has two large screen TVs, and features full Sky Sports channels. There is also a separate sports room with pool table, card tables, gaming machines and dart board.

Visitors can enjoy the use of three coarse fishing lakes which offers the perfect way to relax and unwind while, for the family, the resort is situated in a wonderful area near too the best attractions that Dorset has to offer. Not only are there fantastic beaches just down the road but there are plenty of things to do all year round which will keep the most inquisitive of minds busy.

The Dorset Golf & Country Club is now one of the most popular golfing venues in the south of England and, with a repeat business of more than 65 per cent, it’s easy to see why the resort is so popular and is definitely a venue not to be missed.

For more details about The Dorset Golf & Country Club, go to www.dorsetgolfresort.com.