When you are thinking of taking a break you can head out for golf holidays that offer you a combination of fun, adventure and relaxation. England is home to some of the most iconic and historic golf resorts in the world.
Whether you’re chasing a challenging round or a leisurely escape with fine dining and five-star stays, England’s top golf resorts provide the perfect backdrop for your next getaway. This allows you to unwind in style and an opportunity to improve your golf skills and enjoy camaraderie with your golf buddies.
With Halcyon Golf Travel, you can enjoy bespoke golf trips that blend exceptional golfing with luxurious hospitality, ideal for golfers who expect more than just a round. If you are exploring England, you can look out for these 6 iconic golf resorts that offer you an unforgettable golfing experience.
Royal Birkdale Golf Club, Southport, Merseyside
When you are looking for a golf resort that has all the reputation and respect it has to be the Royal Birkdale Golf Club. Located along England’s northwestern coastline in Southport, Merseyside, this legendary links course has hosted ten Open Championships, as well as Ryder Cups and Women’s British Opens, cementing its place in the pantheon of world-class golf venues.
If you are a purist you would certainly love the course here designed with rolling dunes, narrow fairways, unpredictable coastal winds, and pot bunkers that demand precision. However, the course here offers a lot more than a challenge; the setting too offers a lot of drama. Various golfers and walkers often describe the layout as one of the fairest where skills come more into play than luck.
The clubhouse, with its distinctive art deco architecture, is as iconic as the course itself, offering a warm welcome and a nod to Birkdale’s rich tournament history. Golfers can stay at the nearby Vincent Hotel, a chic boutique stay just minutes away, or opt for the Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa if they want to combine top-tier golf with spa indulgence.
Sunningdale Golf Club, Berkshire
Located within the beautiful landscape of Berkshire, just 30 miles from London, Sunningdale Golf Club is regarded as one of the most amazing golfing experiences in England. With its Old and New Courses, both consistently ranked among the finest in the UK, Sunningdale offers the rare chance to play 36 holes of world-class golf on a single estate.
Of course, while you are here you would want to try your skills at The Old Course, designed by Willie Park Jr. in 1901. On the other hand, the New Course crafted in 1923 is equally breathtaking, longer and tougher. Hence, you can have a great time in these courses that demand skill and reward finesse. This makes Sunningdale a true test for golfers of all levels.
While the club doesn’t offer on-site accommodation, golfers can stay at Coworth Park, a five-star countryside retreat with polo fields, a spa, and gourmet dining, a perfect match for Sunningdale’s genteel charm. When you want to explore more there are plenty of things to do in Reading, Berkshire’s biggest town.
The Grove, Hertfordshire
While you are in London you can head to The Grove in Hertfordshire and make sure that you are never far from the game you love. Just 18 miles from central London yet surrounded by 300 acres of rolling Hertfordshire countryside, The Grove offers one of England’s most luxurious and accessible golf destinations.
Often dubbed “London’s Country Estate”, it combines top-tier golf with five-star service, award-winning dining, and a spa experience to rival any European resort. If you are good at golf get ready to put your skills to the test on a championship course, designed by Kyle Phillips. This course is well-known for its pristine condition, open layout and strategic water features.
The Grove has hosted the World Golf Championship and welcomed legends like Tiger Woods, earning a reputation for both playability and prestige. Unlike many historic clubs, The Grove is a full resort with luxury accommodation on-site. Its restored 18th-century mansion houses elegant rooms, and the contemporary West Wing and the award-winning Sequoia Spa offer modern flair. For travellers seeking a complete golf-and-lifestyle escape within easy reach of London, The Grove is the ultimate blend of English country elegance and world-class sport.
Royal Lytham & St Annes, Lancashire
While you are exploring Northern England, you can always look out for golf holidays at the historic Royal Lytham & St Annes. Located in Lancashire, just a short distance from Blackpool, this golf destination has a legacy dating back to 1886 and has ten Open Championships to its name. The course here is known for its no-nonsense character, deep bunkering and challenging layout, especially when combined with coastal winds at play.
If you are a seasoned golfer you would know that this course demands strategy and precision over power. This means you need to be clear about your shots or be penalized for carelessness. Accommodation nearby includes the Glendower Hotel, a stylish and comfortable stay just a short stroll from the course. Those looking to unwind can explore some of the best beaches in Lancashire for a memorable unwinding experience.
Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire
Set in the tranquillity of Lincolnshire, Woodhall Spa Golf Club is often described as the hidden gem of English golf. This prestigious destination is the official home of England Golf, and its Hotchkin Course is consistently ranked among the top inland courses in the world. Hence, when you are in England you would want to enjoy this golfing destination for your holidays.
Designed with a rugged heathland character, the Hotchkin is known for its deep bunkering and fairways lined with gorse, pines and silver birch. This course is a shotmaker’s paradise, combining strategy with sheer natural beauty. For those seeking a gentler round, the adjacent Bracken Course, designed by Donald Steel, offers a more forgiving but still engaging challenge.
While there is no luxurious stay on-site, you can stay at The Petwood Hotel once home to RAF officers during WWII, which offers elegance and history in equal measure.
Formby Golf Club, Lancashire
Located in Lancashire, Formby Golf Club is a masterclass in quite elegance on England’s Golf Coast. Established in 1884 and nestled in the Sefton Sand Dunes near Southport, Formby offers a unique mix of classic links and woodland terrain making it one of the most distinctive and scenic golf destinations in the country.
Unlike other courses, this one weaves through tall pines and later opens up into coastal links offering a range of holes that would test your golfing skills. Narrow fairways, natural undulations, and strategic bunkering give Formby a timeless character.
While Formby doesn’t offer accommodation on-site, it pairs beautifully with Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa, just a short drive away. The resort complements the club’s upscale character with luxury rooms, a full-service spa, and its 18-hole course—perfect for golfers wanting to extend their stay with additional rounds and relaxation.
