Radlett Hertfordshire hotels:

Porters Park is a golfing gem located in rural Hertfordshire. It is a parkland course featuring wonderfully varied selection of pine and deciduous trees. Each hole is memorable in its character. The course originated from the park, known as Porters dating back to 1340, which John Le Porter owned. The famous architect Nicholas Hawksmoor lived at Porters in 1728, John Mason in 1748 and Lord Howe, a great name in naval history in 1772. It was in the late nineteenth century when the attractive park was described as 'designed by providence to be a golf course'. All that was needed was a man of enthusiasm, vision and energy to suggest that Porters be defined as a golf course. In the 1890's that man arrived - his name was Dr. Ross Smyth. And so Porters Park was born, being ready to play in 1899. The only remaining evidence of the Porters estate is the old Mansion House, perched on the hill to the east of the course at Shenley. Also one of the original ice houses is located in the pine copse on the right of the 3rd fairway. The clubhouse was extended in 1991, but retains its older features of the domed ballroom/lounge and gabled 1st floor offices over the members' bar. The dining room affords a wonderful view of the opening hole, while the ballroom / lounge view the opening and closing holes, and will no doubt provide visiting golfers with a treasured memory of this truly magnificent course.