Published: 4 November 2026
England’s finest golf courses offer more than championship play; they are often set within some of the country’s most sought-after residential locations. From the heathland courses of Surrey and Berkshire to the coastal links of Merseyside, these destinations combine distinctive landscapes with established communities and access to the outdoors. For property buyers, living near a celebrated course can add another dimension to a home’s setting. Here are ten notable English golf courses and the residential areas that make them appealing.
Sunningdale Golf Club, Berkshire
Founded in 1900, Sunningdale Golf Club is widely regarded as one of England’s outstanding golfing destinations, with its celebrated Old and New courses set among mature woodland, heather and sandy heathland. The Old Course, designed by Willie Park Jr., is particularly admired for its natural contours and strategic challenges, while the New Course, designed by Harry Colt, offers a distinctive experience. Together, both courses provide an exceptional expression of traditional inland golf.
The surrounding area is equally appealing to those seeking a refined country lifestyle. Sunningdale and nearby Ascot offer grand detached homes, secluded properties and elegant residences set within leafy surroundings. For buyers who value a sense of retreat without losing access to London, this area presents a compelling combination of sporting prestige and residential convenience.
The Wentworth Club, Surrey
Located in Virginia Water, Wentworth Club is renowned for its championship courses, particularly the West Course, which hosts the annual BMW PGA Championship. Its tree-lined fairways, carefully maintained greens and established reputation have made it a significant destination within the professional golfing calendar.
Beyond the course, Wentworth is closely associated with the prestigious Wentworth Estate, which features substantial private homes with premier leisure amenities, mature gardens and properties designed to make the most of the landscape. For buyers, the appeal lies in more than access to golf; it’s the opportunity to enjoy privacy, green space and a country setting within reach of London and Heathrow Airport.
St George’s Hill Golf Club
Set within a private estate in Weybridge, St George’s Hill Golf Club is celebrated for its heathland setting and thoughtfully designed course. Widely ranked among the top 30 courses in Great Britain and Ireland, its landscape of rolling terrain, mature trees and carefully positioned hazards rewards precision and strategy, while the surrounding greenery creates a sense of separation from the pace of urban life.
The wider St George’s Hill area is particularly attractive to buyers seeking an exceptional home within a private gated setting. This estate features a variety of architectural styles, ranging from traditional country residences to contemporary properties with landscaped grounds and generous entertaining spaces. With convenient connections to London and access to the wider Surrey countryside, this area remains appealing to buyers who prioritise privacy, space and outdoor living.
Queenwood Golf Club, Surrey
Known for its privacy and exclusive membership, Queenwood Golf Club offers a secluded golfing experience in the Surrey countryside. Designed by David McLay Kidd, its 18-hole championship course draws on the traditions of Golden Age course design, with rolling fairways, natural contours and strategically positioned hazards that reward accuracy and thoughtful play. Its carefully maintained grounds and quiet setting distinguish it from more prominent championship venues.
The surrounding area offers an appealing mix of substantial detached homes and contemporary residences set among mature trees and landscaped gardens. Nearby Virginia Water, Ottershaw and the wider Surrey countryside attract buyers looking for space, privacy and access to outdoor pursuits, while road and rail connections provide excellent links to London and Heathrow Airport.
Beaverbrook Golf Club, Surrey
Set within the historic Cherkley Court estate near Leatherhead, Beaverbrook Golf Club offers a distinctive course shaped by the surrounding Surrey countryside. Designed by David McLay Kidd in collaboration with eight-time major champion Tom Watson, the 18-hole course opened in 2016 and follows the natural contours of the estate. Its open fairways, wavy terrain and expansive countryside views create a course that combines strategic challenges with a striking rural setting.
For those attracted to the area, this location appeals to buyers seeking a country residence within convenient reach of London. Leatherhead and nearby villages offer a mix of period houses, substantial detached family homes and contemporary properties, while the wider Surrey Hills provide opportunities for walking, cycling and outdoor activities. This combination of established market towns, countryside surroundings and access to the capital makes this part of Surrey attractive to those looking for a balance between rural living and everyday convenience.
Swinley Forest Golf Club, Berkshire
Positioned between Ascot and Sunningdale, Swinley Forest Golf Club is a distinguished private members’ club designed by Harry Colt. Set among mature woodland and heathland, it is admired for its traditional course design, natural contours and understated character.
The surrounding area is synonymous with established country living, with Ascot, Sunningdale and Virginia Water offering substantial detached houses, traditional residences and contemporary homes set within private gardens and wooded grounds. Larger properties can be found along leafy residential roads and in secluded settings. For buyers who value outdoor space, privacy and proximity to some of Berkshire's best-known golf clubs, this part of the county offers a compelling residential setting.
The Wisley, Surrey
Set across 224 acres of Surrey countryside near Ripley and Woking, The Wisley is a members-owned club known for its thoughtfully designed courses and distinctive approach to the game. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and opened in 1991, this club features three nine-hole layouts: The Church, The Garden and The Mill. Each offers a different playing experience, with natural water features, mature trees and thoughtfully positioned hazards creating a varied test for golfers.
The wider area offers a mix of village homes, substantial detached houses and country residences surrounded by established gardens and open countryside. Ripley retains a traditional village character, while nearby Guildford provides a broader choice of shops, restaurants and cultural amenities. For buyers seeking a quieter setting without feeling remote, this corner of Surrey combines rural surroundings with practical links to London.
Royal Birkdale Golf Club, Merseyside
Set along the Lancashire coast in Southport, Royal Birkdale Golf Club is one of England’s most celebrated links courses. Its wavy fairways, natural dunes and exposed coastal setting create a distinctive test of golf, while its history of hosting The Open Championship has established its reputation on an international stage.
Southport offers a different residential appeal from the country estates of Surrey and Berkshire, combining Victorian architecture and traditional seaside character with access to the coast. For buyers, the surrounding area presents opportunities to enjoy coastal walks, open landscapes and a more relaxed pace of life, with the amenities of an established seaside town close by.
Bearwood Lakes Golf Club, Berkshire
Bearwood Lakes Golf Club is distinguished by its mature woodland and extensive water features. Opened in 1996 and set within approximately 200 acres of Berkshire countryside, this course winds through the trees and around a series of lakes, creating a varied layout in which the landscape plays a central role.
Nearby Wokingham, Sindlesham and the surrounding villages offer a varied selection of homes, from period cottages and traditional family houses to grand detached properties and modern developments. The area also benefits from access to Reading and its extensive amenities, alongside rail connections towards the capital. For buyers desiring a balance of green surroundings, established residential communities and convenient transport links, this part of Berkshire offers an appealing alternative to more remote country locations.
Centurion Club, Hertfordshire
Located in Hertfordshire near St Albans, Centurion Club is a modern championship venue set within the countryside. Its 18-hole course, designed by Simon Gidman, opened in 2013 and combines pine woodland with more open, sculpted terrain, strategically placed bunkers and water hazards. The layout has hosted professional tournaments, including LIV Golf events in 2022 and 2023, establishing the club as a prominent venue in the modern golfing calendar.
The surrounding area offers a combination of substantial detached homes, period properties and contemporary family residences, particularly around St Albans and the neighbouring villages. St Albans itself is known for its historic centre, independent shops, restaurants and green spaces, while the wider Hertfordshire countryside offers a quieter residential setting. With road links towards London and access to rail services from St Albans, the area appeals to buyers seeking space and a more suburban or rural lifestyle without sacrificing connectivity to the capital.
Where Golf and Country Living Meet
England’s finest golf courses offer more than exceptional sport; they are part of the character of the places that surround them. From the wooded fairways of Surrey and Berkshire to the coastal links of Merseyside, each destination offers a different perspective on country and coastal living. For property buyers, nearby golf can be an appealing addition to a home’s setting, alongside green space, established communities and access to the outdoors. Whether seeking a secluded country house or a sizeable family home within reach of London, these locations demonstrate how a passion for golf can complement contemporary living.
