The 6 Best Golf Courses in the North West
North England is known for lots of things, from butter pies to Oasis. There’s something for everyone in the north, and if you like golf, you’re in the right place.
The North West of England, from Lancashire and the Lakes right down to Cheshire, attracts golfers from all over the country. And, being partially on the coast, the region is home to a great many incredible links courses that have held some of the most celebrated golfing tournaments in the world.
We think that relaxing in a lakeside hot tub and toasting marshmallows on the flames of a firepit would be a perfect way to end a lovely day of 18 (or more!) holes.
So, if you’re coming to Cleveleymere Lakeside Lodges as a base for your golf trip in Lancashire and the North West, below are 6 excellent golf courses that we have nearby.
Royal Lytham & St Annes
The much-loved Royal Lytham & St Annes golf club dates all the way back to 1886 and the course you play on today was built in 1897.
This is a stunning links course with a top reputation. In its 100-and-counting years, it hosted 2 Ryder Cups, 11 Open Championships, and more. The course itself has 174 bunkers and is far enough away from the sea that the breeze won’t interfere with your game.
This is one of the most popular pay-and-play golf courses in Lancashire and you can make the most of the food, drink, and atmosphere at the Club before and after your game.
Royal Birkdale
Only want the best? The Royal Birkdale has a proven track record.
Royal Birkdale has been voted the best golf course in England, not just the North West. This prestigious links course has hosted more Championships and International events than any other golf course in the world since WW2.
The Royal Birkdale golf course is a links course in Southport, Merseyside. It strikes the right balance between challenge and charm and was awarded its ‘royal’ status in 1951.
Silverdale
Silverdale Golf Club has a top-class setting. You’ll find it in the Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, on the beautiful Lancashire coast, and just a short trip away from the RSBP Leighton Moss nature reserve.
This golf course dates back to 1906 and is best known for its signature hole, which is called The Plateau. The Plateau is the 13th hole and is one of Britain’s 100 Extraordinary Golf Holes.
When you play golf at Silverdale, you’ll have fabulous views over Morecambe Bay and, if you’re lucky, you might even see a deer or two.
Hillside
Hillside Golf Club, based in Southport, is home to a championship links course. It has hosted a number of amateur and professional events, including the 2019 British Masters.
The course itself is in two halves: the first 9 holes are on mostly flat ground and the second 9 holes (which have been described by Double Open Champion winner, Greg Norman, as the ‘best in Britain’) is played through dunes. This gives players the ultimate balance – a slow build-up to a spectacular finish.
Hillside Golf Club has top-tier food available. Led by Jason Wainford, the fantastic team of chefs at Hillside can deliver anything from fine dining and banquets to freshly-made and really tasty bar food.
Formby
Love a links course? Don’t miss Formby.
Said to be one of the best links courses in the world as well as one of the best golf courses in Lancashire, Formby golf course was established in 1884.
You can enjoy this golf course through all 4 seasons of the year (yes, even in the North!), with varied holes and gorgeous surroundings. This interactive map gives you a hole-by-hole view of the course. When you play here, you’ll get awesome scenes, from sand dunes to pinewoods.
At the clubhouse, you can expect delicious food options, bars, snooker, and Dormy House accommodation. Dormy visitors have unrestricted access to tee times and a full English breakfast is included in the price. Up to 8 people can sleep in the Dormy House at a time. It has 2 single rooms and 3 double rooms.
There are 2 bars at Formby Golf Club: Halls Bar and Golfer’s Bar. When you go upstairs to the lounge, you’ll be greeted by panoramic views of the course.
Southport & Ainsdale
The Southport & Ainsdale Golf Club (a.k.a. S&A) has hosted the Ryder Cup twice, which is quite a flex. On top of the prestige of hosting the Ryder Cup, this golf course has also hosted The British Ladies’ Open and The British Amateur.
It’s known for being a challenging course with top-notch amenities. When you play at the S&A, you’ll have full access to the clubhouse – there aren’t any members-only areas. That means that you can enjoy the casual bar, the lounge, the Ryder Cup Room, and the patio as much as you like.
You can take a tour of all 18 holes at Southport & Ainsdale Golf Club by clicking here.
Cleveleymere Lakeside Lodges is an excellent base for golf trips in Lancashire and the North West. We have 8 luxury holiday lodges on our huge 24-acre woodland site, all sitting on the edge of Cleveleymere Lake.
When you stay, you can make the most of our activities and amenities completely free of charge. The activities we have at Cleveleymere include:
Mountain bikes
Pedal boats
Rowing boats
Kayaks
Lawn games
(Psst! We even have a 9 hole mini-golf course so that you can practice your swing.)
Want to take a look at our luxury Lancashire holiday lodges for yourself? We have really cool 3D tours of the lodges on our website so that you can see every nook and cranny before you book. Click here to find out about our holiday lodges and have an online 3D tour.
Click here to check availability and book.
