A major refurbishment of the clubhouse at Woodcote Park will be taking place throughout the first half of 2026, which will result in a range of improvements. These include a completely new arrival area and fully refurbished bedrooms.
Most of Woodcote Park will continue to operate as normal. We are also constructing a temporary building – the ‘Pavilion’ – to provide alternative lounge and event facilities.
Updates on progress and information about any changes to the arrangements described below will be provided on this page and in The Club Wire.
The work
The Work
A number of improvements are being implemented at the same time, as they are all linked together in one way or another. This means that much of the clubhouse will be closed from Thursday 1 January until the end of June the end of June 2026.
- All the bedrooms are being refurbished, with air conditioning installed throughout and sound insulation improvements in the rooms overlooking the car park and at the rear of the clubhouse.
- An extension is being constructed on the side of the clubhouse to provide a new entrance and larger reception area, which will be more practical and of a standard befitting the Club.
- The main kitchen, located in the heart of the ground floor, is being refurbished with new equipment which will be more practical, reliable and efficient.
- The clubhouse car park is being relandscaped, also to provide a smarter and more welcoming arrival to the clubhouse. This includes moving the delivery area away from the clubhouse to the far end of the car park by the administration block.
- The Hurricane Bar is being extended and refurbished, but very much in the same character as it is now. This is possible because of the relocation of the existing reception and back office to the new extension.
- Extensive behind-the-scenes upgrades are also taking place in utilities such as water, electrics and heating.
- Finally, repairs are being undertaken to the external fabric of the clubhouse including the brickwork, stonework, windows and roof.
What will be closed?
What will be closed?
The following areas will be closed from Thursday 1 January until the end of June:
- the clubhouse car park
- the main clubhouse entrance
- the clubhouse reception area, ground floor cloakroom (including the cash machine) and WCs
- everything on the first floor and above of the clubhouse (including the bedrooms, snooker room, syndicate room and first floor banqueting rooms)
- the Hurricane Bar
- Stirling’s restaurant and bar.
What will be open?
What will be open?
Other areas of Woodcote Park
All other areas of Woodcote Park will be operating completely as normal including:
- Cedars Sports
- the Walled Garden
- the 19th Hole
- the Spike Bar and terrace
- all golf facilities
- the Club Shop (although access will be via the lower floor only)
- the Junior Club Room.
Within the clubhouse
- The Fountain Brasserie will be operating as normal, providing a full menu and with no change in opening hours. This will include the Fountain Terrace when the summer starts. Please note, however, that the square alcove area at the rear of the restaurant will not available as it will be used for other purposes during the project.
- The Lounge will remain open except when the refurbishment work is too noisy or causing other disruption. This is only likely to be on weekdays and, if possible, members will be advised via the project’s page on the Club website if the Lounge is going to be closed. Snacks and refreshments are available but with a reduced menu.
- The Cedar Room will be available for planned activities, meetings and events, including some private events arranged by members. Catering options will be limited until the replacement main kitchen opens in April, when the normal full food and beverage range will become available again. Please look out for special dining events which will be announced in The Club Wire.
- Sunday Lunch in the Cedar Room will continue to be available (from Sunday 18 January) but with a slightly reduced number of places.
The Pavilion
A temporary 500 sq m pavilion is being constructed on the Cedar Lawn, adjacent to the Cedar Room, and will be available throughout the project.
- It will be connected to the clubhouse via a short, covered walkway to the clubhouse’s Cedar Lawn entrance.
- The main area will be the ‘Pavilion Lounge’. Comfortably furnished, it will be open from 8.00am to 11.00pm, seven days a week. Newspapers, bridge tables and a menu of drinks and light refreshments will all be available.
- The Pavilion building will also include a room for members to work in (to replace the syndicate room in the clubhouse) and storage for the Activity Groups’ equipment.
- There will be heating and air conditioning throughout the Pavilion to control the temperature.
WCs and cloakrrom
WCs and Cloakroom
The Pavilion will also include high quality, fully plumbed-in and accessible WCs. These will be available from 8.00am to 11.00pm, seven days a week.
The WCs in the Fountain Brasserie will be available as normal.
Rails for coats will be available in the Pavilion.
Reception and post box
Reception and Post Box
A temporary reception desk will be located in the clubhouse Lounge. If you have any queries or need any assistance, please ask a member of the reception team.
The post box which is usually by the clubhouse reception desk will be temporarily located inside the ground floor entrance to Golf Reception. Post may be put into the box or handed to the team at Golf Reception.
Activities
Activities
The Activity Groups’ programmes are continuing with very little change.
- Most activities will take place in the Cedar Room, including Chess and Bridge, Book Club meetings and Photography, Film, Choir, Gardening & Nature and Golf events. Further details are available on the Club website (in the ‘Activity Groups’ area) and will be provided in Activity Group information emails.
- A snooker table will be temporarily located in Stirling’s.
Events
Events
The Club events programme at Woodcote Park has been reduced during the first half of 2026 but as many events as possible will be taking place in the Cedar Room or by visiting external sites. A full list is available in the ‘Events’ section of the Club website.
Unfortunately, it will not be possible to hold the normal Ladies’ Day and Derby Day events this year. However, options for smaller scale alternatives are being developed.
Access to the clubhouse and pavilion
Access to the clubhouse and pavilion
The main access point for both the clubhouse and the Pavilion will be from the Lounge Terrace (the terrace between the clubhouse and the Cedar Lawn).
- If you are on foot, there are external steps from the Fountain Terrace up to the Lounge Terrace – or you can walk along the path passing near Cedars Sports.
- When the clubhouse Lounge is open, access will also be available via the stone staircase at the front of the clubhouse directly into the Lounge.
- Additional lighting is being installed along the access routes to ensure safe visibility at all times.
Car parking
Car Parking
With nobody staying overnight and no big events taking place, we expect the existing car parks to be sufficient, even with the clubhouse car park unavailable.
Buggy service
If you need assistance, a buggy service will be available every day from 8.00am until 11.00pm to transport you between your car and the clubhouse or Cedars Sports (via the Cedar Lawn). At peak times (11.30am-3.30pm and 5.30-9.30pm) a buggy will be regularly touring the car parks. Alternatively, please call reception on 01372 276 311, or ask any member of staff, to arrange transport.
Blue badge parking
For any members unable to walk or use a buggy, limited blue badge parking will be available on the temporary hard standing which has been placed on the Cedar Lawn.
Taxis
Taxis
If you are arriving by taxi, please ask the driver to drop you off by the Spike Bar Terrace. This will also be the designated pick-up point for taxis to collect you from.
If you need assistance with booking a taxi, please ask at the reception desk in the clubhouse.
Alternative accommodation
Alternative Accommodation
No overnight accommodation will be available at Woodcote Park. However, the Club has negotiated preferential rates with a number of hotels.
Further details about these can be viewed below.
To secure your room, you will need to contact the property you have chosen directly.
If you would like further information, please contact the Central Reservations Team (020 7747 3474 or reserve@royalautomobileclub.co.uk). Please note the Central Reservations Team are unable to making bookings on behalf of members.
The bedrooms at Woodcote Park are already available to book for dates from 1 July 2026 onwards.
Woodlands Park Hotel
Woodlands Lane, Stoke d’Abernon, Cobham, Surrey, KT11 3QB
(Approximately a 20-minute drive from the clubhouse)
Telephone: 01372 843 933
Email: woodlandspark@handpicked.co.uk
Book online via Woodlands Park Luxury Country Hotel Surrey | Han Picked Hotels website using the corporate ID RAC26WPH (must be entered in CAPS), or you may contact the property directly.
Holiday Inn Express, Epsom Downs
Langley Vale Road, Epsom Downs, Surrey KT18 5LG
(Approximately a 5-minute drive from the clubhouse)
Email: epsom@hiepsom.co.uk
Book online via Royal Automobile Club Booking Link – Holiday Inn Express Epsom. Alternatively, please call the central reservation line on 0800 434040 and quote Corporate Account 954286678.
Foxhills Club & Resort
Foxhills, Stonehill Road, Ottershaw, Surrey, KT16 0EL
(Approximately a 35-minute drive from the clubhouse)
Telephone: 01932 872050
Email: reception@foxhills.co.uk
To book the above, please contact the property directly and advise that you are a member of the Royal Automobile Club.
If you require any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the Central Reservations Team on 020 7747 3474.
Nutfield Priory Hotel & Spa
Nutfield Road, Nutfield, Redhill, Surrey, RH1 4EL
Telephone: 01737 824 400
Email: nutfieldpriory@handpicked.co.uk
Book online via Nutfield Priory Hotel & Spa | Handpicked Hotels website using the corporate ID RAC25HPH (must be entered in CAPS), or you may contact the property directly.
Questions
Questions
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the reception team at Woodcote Park:
- in person at the reception desk in the Lounge
- wpreception@royalautomobileclub.co.uk
- 01372 276 311