Fifty years ago, in 1975, the elegant grounds of Foxhills – set within 400 acres of Surrey countryside – officially opened to the public as a two-course golf club. It was a bold new chapter for a historic estate once home to the 18th-century politician, Charles James Fox, whose legacy still echoes through the halls of Foxhills Club & Resort’s manor house. Back then, Foxhills was under the ownership of Aer Lingus, which had ambitious plans for the golf venture as it was looking to diversify. Despite its beauty and promise, the early days proved challenging, and, by the early 1980s, the club was ripe for a new beginning.
That turning point came in 1983 when Ian and Pamela Hayton purchased Foxhills. Ian, an advertising executive by trade, had a clear vision: to build not just a golf club, but a vibrant family-friendly country club (with inspiration from the US country clubs, particularly in New York) where people of all ages could relax, play and feel at home. He famously said: “If we can get their families here to join them after their round of golf, we keep the wallet here”. It was an insight that would shape the soul of the business for the next five decades.
From that moment on, Foxhills began to evolve into something far beyond a golf club. Ian and Pamela brought energy, charm and personality to the club which still lives on through their brand every day. They extended the accommodation offering and began welcoming paying guests to stay overnight. Pamela oversaw the transformation and interior design of the rooms, ensuring each one carried her hallmark of warmth and a “home from home” feel. Members could now dine, play, stay and unwind, all in one location.
By the 1990s, Foxhills had become a magnet for Surrey families. The restaurant served popular dishes like Breast of Chicken Country‑style and early set menus that included wine, all for under £10. Children played in the open grounds, tennis courts buzzed with activity and the club’s reputation grew with each passing year. Yet the Haytons stayed true to their mission of maintaining an inclusive, relaxed atmosphere that brought people together.
Through the early 2000s, the club diversified its proposition to meet the evolving tastes of members. It became a host for family fireworks displays and summer parties, events that kept the atmosphere fun, fresh and accessible. Behind the scenes, the Foxhills Foundation was steadily making a mark on British golf. By supporting promising young players, it helped launch the careers of professionals like Anthony Wall and Paul Casey, making it the UK’s longest-running golf scholarship programme.
When Ian Hayton sadly passed away in 2010, his son Marc took the reins and set out on a mission to continue the family’s legacy. Under his guidance, and the watchful eye of Pamela, Foxhills entered a new era of innovation and investment. While the club had already launched a website in the late ’90s, it was in the 2010s that it fully embraced the digital world. Their social media strategy helped showcase Foxhills’ aspirational lifestyle offering to a broader audience.
In 2012, Foxhills played a unique role in Britain’s Olympic success story. The Team GB cycling squad, including Sir Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton, chose Foxhills as their training base during the London Olympics. The club adapted quickly, installing Wattbikes and supporting the team’s performance efforts. The legacy of that Olympic summer can still be felt throughout the state-of-the-art indoor cycling studio and wellness areas today, as well as in Lyne House where each bedroom is named after a GB cyclist, including the Sir Bradley Wiggins Suite, where the Olympic champion stayed during their training for the games.
Further enhancements followed. In 2016, a £1.7 million refurbishment added two new Deluxe Suites, blending the estate’s historic elegance with modern comfort. With more than £40 million of investment over the 50-year period, the resort has expanded to provide even more opportunities for people to socialise, exercise and try something new. 66 bedrooms, 9 tennis courts, padel and pickleball courts, 5 swimming pools, spa, gym, yoga cabin, art studio and driving range are all available to guests and members, in addition to the 2 Championship golf courses and 9-hole par-3 Manor Course. As well as weekly timetables that includes nearly 250 activities, from woodland walks and runs to yoga, fitness and art classes. Plus, the resort now boasts three restaurants, providing a range of dining options for families, couples and corporate guests.
The COVID‑19 pandemic in 2020 posed an unprecedented challenge. Foxhills was forced to close its doors for the first time in its history. Yet, in this time of crisis, the club’s community-first values came to the fore. More than £28,000 was donated to local food banks. And, just months later in May 2021, Foxhills unveiled one of its most significant investments, the Pavilion.
This new £7 million leisure facility was designed especially for families. Nestled within the Victorian walled garden, it includes indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a soft play area, group fitness studios, a crèche, playground, games room and a restaurant. It represents the Hayton vision in full bloom, a space where parents and children can enjoy active, healthy and joyful experiences together.
Alongside new amenities, Foxhills has become a model of environmental responsibility. Initiatives like rainwater harvesting, solar panel installations, LED lighting and the use of low-energy DAISY filtration systems are all part of a long-term commitment to sustainability. The club has also moved toward cleaner products and wellness-focused amenities in its spa treatments and hotel toiletries.
The investment has not gone unnoticed. In recent years, Foxhills has collected an impressive number of awards. It was named National Gym of the Year and Best Hotel & Spa Facility by the National Fitness Awards. Condé Nast Johansens recognised it as Best for Families, and Today’s Golfer recently ranked it among the top three golf resorts in England -and within the top 20 across Great Britain and Ireland. It is also one of just 17 venues globally to be named in the 59club’s Eminent Collection, which recognises excellence in service across the golf and hospitality industries.
As 2025 arrived, Foxhills began its 50th anniversary celebrations in style. This summer, members will celebrate everything the club is today with a ‘Festival of Foxhills’ in July, featuring family activities, competitions, games, challenges, live music and entertainment.
Video and photo tributes showcase five decades of evolution, from the millennium ball to Olympic preparations, to the opening of the Pavilion. Familiar faces – including Sylvester Stallone, Omar Sharif, Desmond Tutu, David Cameron and Lewis Moody – were remembered for their visits across the decades, adding glamour to Foxhills’ guestbook.
Yet, even as it celebrates its past, Foxhills continues to look ahead. The past year saw a refurbishment of Lyne House, one of the accommodation wings as part of a wider £3 million investment into the hotel and manor house. More than half of the bedrooms now have a fresh new look, embedding AI-driven in-room concierge services and Proverb eco-friendly bathroom amenities. New pickleball and padel courts were also added to the resort in 2024, and a new spa garden is scheduled to open in 2026.
The club remains as committed as ever to the Surrey community and being a good neighbour. The Hayton Charitable Trust has funded over £200k so far in local projects, including free holiday camps for children. To mark the 50th anniversary, the club and its members will be raising £50k for the Foxhills Community Camp, funding more than 700 places for children this year (the most ever!). The Foxhills Foundation also continues to nurture the next generation of golfers, with more than 150 graduates to date.
Today, nearly 400 people work across the resort, from its reception team to spa therapists, instructors, event planners, chefs and greenkeepers. The club is a second home not only for its members and guests, but for its colleagues, many of whom have been with the business for decades.
Fifty years on, Foxhills is still what it always aspired to be, a place where everyone – from toddlers to retirees – can find joy, peace, activity and a sense of belonging. From modest beginnings as a golf course, it has become one of the UK’s most celebrated leisure destinations and top country clubs. Its tagline, “Where You Belong,” is more than just a slogan, it is a philosophy that has endured, evolved and enriched thousands of lives over the decades.
As Foxhills looks to its next 50 years, one thing is certain. The spirit of the Hayton family, and the essence of community, will continue to define every experience across the resort. In an era of fast-moving trends, Foxhills remains timeless, a cherished place in the heart of Surrey, and in the hearts of all who’ve ever walked its fairways, swam in its pools or dined with views over the historic manor house’s luscious lawns.
Here’s to the next 50 years.
