Berkshire

Classic heathland golf at Swinley Forest in Berkshire.
The golden triangle — Sunningdale, Swinley Forest and the finest square mile of heathland golf in the world.

There is a triangle of land in east Berkshire — bounded roughly by Sunningdale to the north, Ascot to the east and Bracknell to the south — that contains a concentration of world-class heathland golf that has no parallel anywhere on earth. Sunningdale Golf Club sits at its heart with two courses ranked in the Global Golfer Top 100. Swinley Forest, ranked #20 in the world, occupies the same sandy, pine-clad terrain within the Crown Estate and is the most exclusive club in England. The Berkshire Golf Club offers two outstanding heathland courses on the same property. And Temple and Calcot Park extend the county’s offer westward into the Thames Valley.

Berkshire shares much of its heathland character with neighbouring Surrey — the same Bagshot Sand geology, the same pine and silver birch cover, the same fast-draining turf that produces firm, links-like conditions regardless of season. The difference is access. Some of Berkshire’s finest courses are among the most difficult to play in England. Swinley Forest does not accept visitor applications. Sunningdale requires a member introduction. The Berkshire is more accessible but still selective. Part of the appeal of Berkshire golf is the sense that you are playing somewhere exceptional precisely because not everyone can.

For Stay•Play•Recover, Coworth Park near Sunningdale is the definitive answer — a five-star Dorchester Collection hotel with an exceptional spa, polo ground and countryside setting, within minutes of the county’s finest courses. The combination of Sunningdale, Swinley Forest and Coworth Park in a single long weekend is among the finest golf and spa experiences England produces.

The Courses

Swinley Forest Golf Club

Swinley Forest, Berkshire · Heathland · Members & Guests Only · Par 69

Ranked #20 in the world and England’s most exclusive golf club. Harry Colt’s 1909 design within the Crown Estate is considered by many architects to be his finest work — a layout of perfect scale and proportion where every hole sits within its heathland surroundings as if placed by the landscape rather than a designer. The course is short by modern standards but plays with a difficulty that belies its yardage. Visiting without an invitation from a member is not possible under any circumstances. If you have the introduction, do not hesitate.

Green fees: By invitation onlyTop 100 scorecard: Swinley Forest #20 →

Sunningdale Golf Club — Old Course

Sunningdale, Berkshire · Heathland · Members & Guests · Par 70

Ranked #50 in the world — the benchmark of English heathland golf and one of the most important courses in Britain. Willie Park Jr.’s 1901 design achieved a perfection of proportion that set the standard for all inland golf that followed. Bobby Jones played a round here in 1926 and scored 66 — described at the time as the perfect round of golf. Access requires a club introduction; the effort is comprehensively justified.

Green fees: By arrangement (members’ guests)Top 100 scorecard: Sunningdale Old #50 →Full review: Sunningdale Golf Club →

Sunningdale Golf Club — New Course

Sunningdale, Berkshire · Heathland · Members & Guests · Par 71

Ranked #51 in the world — Harry Colt’s 1923 companion to the Old Course and arguably the more demanding of the two. The New Course plays longer and tighter than the Old, with bunkering of greater severity and greens that require a different approach strategy. Playing both Sunningdale courses in a single day is one of the great experiences in English golf.

Green fees: By arrangement (members’ guests)Top 100 scorecard: Sunningdale New #51 →

The Berkshire Golf Club

Ascot, Berkshire · Heathland · Visitors Welcome (limited) · Red Par 72 / Blue Par 71

Two outstanding heathland courses on a single property — the Red and Blue — both designed by Herbert Fowler and both consistently ranked among England’s top thirty courses. The Red Course is the more celebrated, with six par threes that are among the best in the country. Visitor access is more achievable than Sunningdale or Swinley Forest, making The Berkshire the natural starting point for golfers exploring the county’s heathland belt. Advance booking and a handicap certificate are required.

Green fees from: £150 (visitor)

Temple Golf Club

Hurley, Berkshire · Heathland / Parkland · Visitors Welcome · Par 70

A Willie Park Jr. design in the Thames Valley — less well known than the east Berkshire heathland courses but a fine course in its own right, with a setting above the river that gives it a distinctive character. More accessible than the county’s top clubs and an excellent choice for golfers visiting the Maidenhead and Henley area.

Green fees from: £65 (visitor)

Stay•Play•Recover in Berkshire

Coworth Park — Dorchester Collection ⭐

The definitive Stay•Play•Recover property for Berkshire golf. A five-star Dorchester Collection hotel in a 240-acre country estate near Sunningdale — polo ground, exceptional spa with treatment rooms and outdoor hot tub, Michelin-level dining, and a position within minutes of Sunningdale, Swinley Forest and The Berkshire. For golfers travelling with partners who want world-class spa facilities to match world-class golf, Coworth Park is the answer in this region.

Cliveden House ⭐

A National Trust stately home on the Thames near Taplow — one of England’s most historic luxury hotels, with a full spa, riverside setting and excellent access to the western Berkshire and Buckinghamshire courses. A compelling alternative to Coworth Park for golfers who want a Thames Valley base.

Recovery & Wellness in Berkshire

Golf Physiotherapists in Berkshire →Sports Massage for Golfers in Berkshire →Golf Fitness Coaches in Berkshire →

Practical Information

Best time to visit: Year-round — Berkshire’s sandy heathland drains exceptionally well. Peak season (May–September) offers the firmest, fastest conditions. Avoid race weeks at Ascot (June Royal Ascot, October) when local accommodation prices peak.

Getting there: Heathrow Airport is 20 minutes from Sunningdale. London Waterloo to Sunningdale takes 40 minutes by train. By road, the M3 and A30 give direct access from London in 45–60 minutes. The M4 serves the western Berkshire courses.

Green fee ranges: Budget £65–100 (Temple, The Berkshire off-peak) · Mid-range £150+ (The Berkshire peak) · Premium: Sunningdale and Swinley Forest by introduction only.

Recommended itinerary (2 nights, Coworth Park base): Day 1 — Arrive, The Berkshire Red Course · Day 2 — Sunningdale Old + New (full day, member introduction required) · Day 3 — Spa day at Coworth Park, depart.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best golf course in Berkshire?

Swinley Forest is ranked #20 in the world — England’s most exclusive club and widely considered Harry Colt’s finest design. Sunningdale Old (#50) and New (#51) are both in the Global Golfer Top 100 and the benchmark of English heathland golf. The Berkshire is the most accessible top-tier option in the county.

Can visitors play Swinley Forest?

No — Swinley Forest does not accept visitor applications under any circumstances. Access is strictly by invitation from a member. It is the most exclusive golf club in England.

Can visitors play Sunningdale Golf Club?

Yes, with a member introduction. Sunningdale does not accept unsolicited visitor bookings. A letter of introduction from a member of equivalent standing is required. Both the Old and New Courses are available to guests once introduced.

Is there a luxury spa hotel near Sunningdale golf?

Yes — Coworth Park, a Dorchester Collection five-star property, is the closest luxury spa hotel to Sunningdale. It offers an excellent spa, Michelin-level dining and a 240-acre country estate setting within minutes of the course.

How does Berkshire compare to Surrey for golf?

Berkshire and Surrey share the same heathland belt and geological character. Berkshire’s top courses — Swinley Forest, Sunningdale — are ranked higher in the world rankings, but are harder to access. Surrey’s courses (Walton Heath, Queenwood, St George’s Hill) offer a broader range of visitor access at the top level. Together the two counties form the finest inland golf destination in England.

Berkshire

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