Frederick G. Hawtree and J.H. Taylor
Royal Birkdale Golf Club
A championship links in Southport set among large dunes and one of the defining anchor rounds on England’s Golf Coast.
At Royal Birkdale
UK&I
Golf Trips in England
Build an England golf trip around Open Championship links, Surrey heathland and concentrated regional golf routes.
England — overview
England offers several very different golf trips within one country. The northwest combines Royal Birkdale, Royal Liverpool and Royal Lytham & St Annes; Kent pairs Royal St George’s with Prince’s and Royal Cinque Ports; and the London area opens access to Sunningdale, Walton Heath, Swinley Forest and St George’s Hill. JEL Golf Travel can connect those courses into a practical 4–7 day itinerary.
- Destinations
- 15
- Courses
- 35+
- Best months
- May through September
- Typical length
- 4–7 days, depending on the region and number of rounds
What makes it special
Why play golf in England.
England stands out because its best golf is organized into distinct regional clusters rather than scattered one-off courses. The northwest delivers Open Championship links, Kent combines three historic coastal venues, and the London heathland belt features classic work from Harry Colt, Herbert Fowler and Willie Park Jr. That variety lets a golfer build a 4–7 day trip around one style of golf or combine links and heathland within the same country.
England’s Golf Coast is the clearest first-trip route for golfers who want championship links in a compact region. Royal Birkdale, Royal Liverpool and Royal Lytham & St Annes anchor the itinerary, while Hillside, Formby, Southport & Ainsdale and West Lancashire add enough depth for a five- to seven-day trip. The destination context notes that the three royal clubs alone have combined to host The Open Championship dozens of times.
Kent offers another concentrated links cluster. Royal St George’s has hosted The Open 15 times, Prince’s hosted the championship in 1932, and Royal Cinque Ports adds a demanding out-and-back layout at Deal. With all three in the same coastal area, golfers can build a multi-round trip without crossing the country between tee times.
Around London, England shifts from links to heathland. Sunningdale’s Old and New courses, Walton Heath’s Old and New, Swinley Forest, The Berkshire and St George’s Hill feature architects such as Willie Park Jr., Harry Colt and Herbert Fowler. These courses trade coastal dunes for heather, pine, strategic bunkering and rolling inland terrain, giving England a second distinct style of golf within reach of Heathrow or Gatwick.
Resorts & destinations
View all 15 destinationsWhere to play in England.
The England destinations we plan the most — each with the courses, lodging and seasonality our concierge knows by heart.
Signature courses
The courses that define England.
For a first England golf trip, these four show the range of the country: northwest championship links, Kent’s Open history and classic London-area heathland.
Robert Chambers and George MorrisRoyal Liverpool Golf Club - Hoylake Course
A historic Open Championship venue at Hoylake, with firm links ground, coastal wind and a route that pairs naturally with the northwest’s other major clubs.
At Royal Liverpool Golf Club
Laidlaw PurvesThe Royal St George’s Golf Club - Championship Course
Kent’s championship centerpiece, defined by undulating fairways, deep pot bunkers, elevated greens and extensive Open history.
At The Royal St George’s Golf Club
Plan your trip
When to go, how to get there.
- Best time to visit
- May through September
- Weather & climate
- England’s coastal links are exposed to wind, while inland heathland courses play through heather, pine and firmer rolling ground. Visitor availability and clubhouse hours can change by season, so trip planning should account for both weather and club-specific access windows.
- Typical trip length
- 4–7 days, depending on the region and number of rounds
- Getting there
- Use Liverpool John Lennon or Manchester for England’s Golf Coast, Heathrow or Gatwick for London and southeast England, and London airports for Kent. Ground transfers are the simplest option for most multi-course trips, although Prince’s can also be reached by train to Sandwich followed by a short taxi ride.
- Nearest airports
- LPL (Liverpool) · MAN (Manchester) · LHR (London Heathrow) · LGW (London Gatwick)
- Who it's best for
- Experienced golfers and buddies-trip groups who want Open Championship history, classic links and English heathland architecture in a multi-course itinerary.
- Trip styles
- Buddies tripLinksHeathlandChampionship venuesGolf tourCouples
Off the course
Local culture in England.
The strongest England itineraries work as regional road trips. In the northwest, golfers can base around Liverpool, Southport or the Lancashire coast and move between historic links clubs. In Kent, Sandwich and Deal place several championship courses close together, while London-area heathland trips can pair golf with time in the capital. The destination context supports travel by airport transfer, rail in selected areas such as Sandwich, and short regional drives between clustered courses.
Frequently asked
England golf FAQs.
What is the best time of year for an England golf trip?
May through September is the most consistent peak window across the courses in this guide. Several clubs remain open year-round or extend their visitor season into April, October or later, but visitor tee times can be limited to specific days.
How many days do I need for an England golf trip?
A 4–7 day trip works well if you focus on one region. England’s Golf Coast specifically suits a five- to seven-day itinerary, while individual destinations such as Sunningdale, Royal Birkdale and Royal St George’s can fit into shorter one- or two-day stops.
Where should I go for a first golf trip to England?
England’s Golf Coast is the strongest first-trip option for golfers focused on championship links. Royal Birkdale, Royal Liverpool and Royal Lytham & St Annes can be combined with Hillside, Formby, Southport & Ainsdale and West Lancashire in one northwest itinerary.
Can I play Royal Birkdale, Royal Liverpool and Royal Lytham on the same trip?
Yes. All three are part of the northwest England golf cluster and are specifically grouped together in the England’s Golf Coast destination context. Liverpool John Lennon and Manchester airports are the most useful gateways for that itinerary.
What are the best golf courses near London?
The destination context highlights Sunningdale, Walton Heath, Swinley Forest, The Berkshire and St George’s Hill around London and the surrounding counties. These are primarily classic heathland courses designed by architects including Harry Colt, Herbert Fowler and Willie Park Jr.
Do I need a handicap to play golf in England?
Some of the featured clubs require or expect a valid handicap certificate. Royal St George’s lists a minimum handicap of 18.4, Royal Birkdale is described as suitable for experienced players with a valid handicap, and Formby permits public play on selected days with a valid handicap certificate.
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