The Wentworth Estate – home to British millionaires and celebrities

Wentworth Estate is a privately owned 1920s spa and golf club (near Virginia Water, Surrey) covering some 700 hectares (1,750 acres) of northern Surrey. In 1922, builder WG Tarrant acquired the development rights to the Wentworth Estate and appointed Harry Colt to develop a golf course around the “Wentworth” house.

In 1926 a match between American and British professional players was held at the Club. One spectator was Samuel Ryder, who suggested that the match should become a regular event and backed it by donating the Cup that bears his name. The first official match was held the following year.

Now approaching 100 years later and now with four courses, thousands of enthusiastic golfers flock to the Wentworth Estate on Virginia Water to watch the creme de la creme play golf on what are said to be some of the most exciting courses from United Kingdom.

Golfers follow in the footsteps of the great players of the last 85 years: legends such as Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Seve Ballesteros, Greg Norman, Nick Faldo, Ernie Els and Tiger Woods, to name but a few. . but some

The core of the Wentworth Estate golf course is known to the local community as ‘The Island’. This moniker adds to the feeling of exclusivity that seems to pervade the entire area and with a long list of the rich and famous on your doorstep, it would be hard not to be impressed.

Wentworth is the most televised golf course in the UK since hosting the annual PGA European Golf Championships. An extensive West Course renovation program at a cost of £6,000,000 hardened the course to modern standards, leading to professionals such as Ian Poulter and Pádraig Harrington being drawn to the improvements, which were designed by Wentworth resident and double champion of the Open Ernie. Els.

This course is also unusual in that it is the only course of its kind to have been designed with houses along the fairways. And there are few more glorious natural settings for living and golfing than this stretch of heathland surrounded by pine, oak and birch forests with vibrant rhododendrons adding a splash of colour.

There’s no denying Wentworth has class and this air of glamor and sophistication draws the rich and famous to purchase ringside seats at these illustrious grounds. Owners enjoy the opportunity to invite their friends from the city to spend a weekend in the “field” and play golf.

Past and present famous residents of the Wentworth Estate range from Sir Bruce Forsyth and Sir Cliff Richard to Elton John and the Bee Gees of show business. From Ron Dennis (the owner of McLaren) and former boxer Prince Naseem to Nick Faldo and Ernie Els in the sports world.

As well as the world-class golf on offer, the Wentworth Club is owned by Richard Caring, who also owns arguably London’s best stable restaurants, including The Ivy, J. Sheekey and Le Caprice. So if good food is appealing then this is a great place to live.

It’s worth noting that living on the Wentworth Estate does not automatically grant membership to the golf club.