What are England’s best parkland courses?

England is well known for its classic links and glorious heathland layouts, but what about its best parkland courses?

Many will know the likes of Royal St George’s and Royal Birkdale as Open Championship-hosting venues, among plenty of other glorious links layouts around the coastline of England.

Then there are the heathland layouts of Swinley Forest, Worplesdon, and the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa.

But what about the parkland genre… Well not to worry, because England has plenty of beautiful parkland tracks, spread out far and wide across the country.

From championship calibre venues to local courses you might never have heard of, there is plenty to choose from, but what are the best in the business?

NOW READ: Is Harry Colt the greatest architect ever?

England’s best parkland courses.. Who makes the top five?

1 – JCB Club

Despite being one of the newest golfing venues in the country – having only opened in 2018 – the JCB Club is without doubt one of the best known courses in England now.

That is thanks to its hosting of several big tournaments over the last few years. The venue played host to the Rose Ladies Series in its first two years of competition, while the European Legends Tour visited in 2022 and 2023. The LIV Golf League hosted an event at the JCB Club in 2024, with Spain’s Jon Rahm claiming his first win in the league.

The course plays across the lush green rolling countryside, around the ruins of Woodseat Hall, and it was tour ready from the outset. Brooks, canals and large water hazards all feature throughout the round, and if you want some real pain, you can play from the tips, pushing the course back to 7,300 yards in length.

The course is located near Uttoxeter, with both Stoke-on-Trent and Derby within 20 miles. The M6 and the M1 – which both run north-south – are within a half hour drive from the JCB Club.

How does it rank?
NCG Top 100s: England – 58th
NCG Top 100s: West Midlands – 2nd

READ MORE: NCG Top 100s – JCB Club

2 – Little Aston

Little Aston has been lucky to have had two of the great as its designers. Harry Vardon created the original layout, with Harry Colt then making changes over the course of a two-decade spell.

The course is played amongst the trees and with plenty of outstanding holes for you to savour during a round of golf. There are nearly always ways to avoid serious trouble, yet one is asked to take risks on a great many of the holes. Add in the fact that the course plays at more than 6,800 from the tips, and there is danger to be avoided. 

Oh, and there is also the glorious putting green (that you can see above)!

Little Aston is less than ten miles north of Birmingham – England’s ‘Second City’. Both the M6 and the M6 Toll Road run close by to the venue.

How does it rank?
NCG Top 100s: England – 62nd
NCG Top 100s: West Midlands – 3rd

READ MORE: NCG Top 100s – Little Aston

3 – Knole Park

Knole Park is unique compared to the other 99 venues on the NCG Top 100s: England list. It is the only venue that is situated inside a National Trust estate.

That means that more often than not, you will come across a deer or two on your way round. It is entertaining and engaging from start to finish, with its six short holes making sure you are always kept on your toes.

Close to the town of Sevenoaks, Knole Park is next to the junction where the M25 and M26 meet, while the centre of England’s capital city is just 30 miles to the northwest.

How does it rank?
NCG Top 100s: England – 66th
NCG Top 100s: Kent – 5th

READ MORE: NCG Top 100s – Knole Park

4 – Prestbury

Prestbury Golf Club is one of the finest golfing venues in Cheshire, with the likes of Colt, Hawtree and MacKenzie & Ebert among those who have had a hand in the design.

To thrive at Prestbury requires character, skill, and no little imagination. For those prepared to invest, they’ll uncover one of England’s finest inland courses – an undulating journey through the Cheshire countryside and Harry Colt’s mind. That Prestbury can do this despite being a little on the cramped side – it’s just over 6,300 yards from the tips – is even more impressive.

The course is located just 20 miles to the south of Manchester, with Manchester Airport only ten miles away, providing great links for international visitors.

How does it rank?
NCG Top 100s: England – 70th

READ MORE: NCG Top 100s – Prestbury

5 – Tandridge

Founded a century ago in 1924, it would be the great Harry Colt that would design the layout as we know it now, one shaped by the land and with plenty of trouble throughout its 18 holes.

There are two quite distinct loops of nine which offer the golfer a complete contrast with something new on offer from every tee. The holes on the front nine are strategic with some demanding doglegs, and it begins and ends with par 5s.

Situated just a mile from the M25, it is easy to get to by road, sitting just 25 miles to the south of the English capital city.

How does it rank?
NCG Top 100s: England – 71st
NCG Top 100s: Surrey – 13th

READ MORE: NCG Top 100s – Tandridge

Now have your say

What do you make of our list of the best parkland courses in England? Would you make any changes? Have you played on any of our top five? Let us know your thoughts with a post on X, formerly Twitter!