Golf Holidays in Northumberland
Hidden away in the Northeast corner of England is a wonderful stretch of coastline that has been preserved in its wild, original state and has not fallen victim to mass tourism. Northumbria is the perfect place to get away from it all and enjoy some natural links to boot.
Without a doubt, Northumberland is England's best-kept golfing secret. The courses and countryside between Newcastle and Scotland are simply stunning and what you get for your money is unparalleled anywhere else in the UK.
Northumberland - Golf Courses
There are four golf courses to play in Northumberland that are well worthy of the trip; all stretched along the coast and bereft of buildings: just you, a few dunes and the North Sea.
The foremost of these is close to the Scottish border at Goswick, a true links test and a regular on The Open qualifying rota. You will need all your links skills to master it!
The next two on the list are Bamburgh Castle and Dunstanburgh Castle. Bamburgh has arguably the best golfing views with its dominant castle looking out towards the Farne Islands and Lindisfarne itself; at times it becomes a magical place to play golf. Dunstanburgh arcs around Embleton Bay and offers more castle golf - this time with a stark medieval ruin to contemplate.
The fourth course lies in the pretty fishing village of Alnmouth, downriver from Alnwick, with a few trees around the course it is more seaside parkland than pure windswept links.
There are a few more Golf Clubs too (Seahouses and Alnwick Castle), plus some nine-holers (Warkworth and Old Alnwick) - so no shortage of golf to be played in Northumberland!
Northumberland - where to stay
The best town around in the Northeast of England for golf has to be Alnwick. Already famous in its own right for its castle and gardens it has by far the most to offer the travelling golfer looking for sustenance after a long day on the links. There are couple of good hotels in town, plus some excellent small guesthouses: all of them allowing easy access to the town's pubs and restaurants as well as the golf courses.
There are a few luxury hideouts sprinkled around the countryside too. The Dunstanburgh Castle hotel for example is a lovely place to stay with a traditional English country hotel feel about it. In Bamburgh The Victoria and the Sunningdale offer good accommodation and very easy access to the golf course. If your party would like a self-catering house then let us know, as we have a superbly modernised residence at our disposal that sleeps up to sixteen - in comfort!
Alnwick - around and about
One of the big attractions of the Northeast is the ruined monastery on the tiny, tidal Holy Island of Lindisfarne. A mystical place and a dangerous one too if you mistime the tides! The other specks of land that make up the Northumberland archipelago of the Farne Islands are a wildlife sanctuary and home to numerous species of birds (Puffins, Gannets etc.) and often bobs of seals too.
Down at the mouth of the river Aln is, you've guessed it, Alnmouth. A pretty, quiet little fishing village with a few B&Bs dotted in the narrow streets. It's a nice place for a coastal stroll or a good dinner at any of the small restaurants along the short High Street.
