The Top 10 Golf Courses in the Lake District

CA6 | Parkland | Par 72, 6,517 yards | Visitor access: Weekdays & weekends

Set on the north east edge of the national park, this 27-hole venue , boasting an 18-hole championship course that regular hosts local events Eden Golf Club is a well regarded golfing venue in the area, offering 27 holes of golf on their 18 hole championship layout and their 9-hole Hadrian course. The championship course regularly hosts local events and is lauded for being in fantastic condition throughout most of the year,

The course is a visually stunning parkland course set in beautiful surroundings on the edge of the Lake District. The layout seamlessly uses the natural features to create a course that presents golfers with open fairways, well placed water hazards and tricky bunkers. Many holes reward bravery from the tee, but with woodland penalties on many holes, make sure you take on the right shot. The course has it's own amen corner with the 14th & 15th holes being two of the most difficult on the course, and quite often have a late impact on golfers scores.

Welcoming to societies, visiting groups and touring golfers, Eden Golf Club offers visitors a championship course with full practice facilities. Its location just outside the town of Carlisle means it can be combined with Brampton Golf Club, and Siloth on Solway to create a fantastic 2 night tour of the region.

Best for: Golfers looking for a championship venue with excellent conditioning and well positioned for a longer tour in the area.

Suggested tour: Carlisle Golf Tour

LA9 | Parkland | Par 70, 6,031 yards | Visitor access: Weekday preferred

Located on the outskirts of Kendal in the Lake District, Carus Green Golf Club, is a well regarded venue in Cumbria, boasting a contemporary Parkland layout that stretches just over 6000 yards through stunning scenery on south east edge of the Lake District. Complimented by comprehensive modern practice facilities, on-site restaurant and comfortable accommodation in the form of houses, lodges and apartments, Carus Green is the perfect base for a golf tour in the area

Let's take a bit of a deeper dive into the course itself. This Parkland course runs quite short at just over 6,000 yards, but makes excellent use of the natural undulations as it winds it's way through the stunning Kent Valley. The three rivers of Kent, Mint & Sprint all make their way through the course at different points, and the design of the course has expertly used these to add aesthetic and challenge throughout.

Carus Green is well setup to welcome visiting groups, offering generous tee time availability throughout the week and weekend alongside it's on-site accommodation and a great location for exploring the nearby town of Kendal and Lake District.

Best for: Golfing groups who are looking for a venue that has everything required to be the perfect base for golf break, while still being great value.

Suggested tour: Kendal Golf Tour

LA12 | Parkland | Par 71, 6,259 yards | Visitor access: Weekdays & weekends

Located within the stunning Furness Peninsula in the south west corner of the Lake District,, Ulverston Golf Club is a beautifully presented parkland course, designed by revered course architect Harry Colt. The design of the course makes full use of it's elevated position, providing golfers with panoramic views of nearby Morecambe Bay, and interesting holes that wind their way through the gentle hills.

As is the case with many Harry Colt courses, the course has been well designed to offer challenging golf without effecting the playability for less serious golfers. There are chances to pickup shots on the front-9, with 2 short par 4s and 2 par 3s that all rank below SI 12. The back-9 offers a much harder challenge with a number of the most difficult holes, including 3 difficult par-4s that rank 1, 3 & 5, but to compensate for this you are rewarded with stunning views of Morecambe Bay as you play the last few holes. The venue is also known locally for it's fantastic conditioning throughout most of the year, with well-maintained fairways and firm greens.

Welcoming to societies, visiting groups and touring golfers, Ulverston Golf Clubs location is perfect for those looking to travel deep into the Lake District, where you can play a fantastic variety of golf, with stunning views guaranteed

Best for: Golfing groups who are seeking great value golf in a beautiful coastal location.

Suggested tour: Short Lake District Tour

LA23 | Parkland | Par 67, 5,122 yards | Visitor access: Weekdays & weekends

Sitting east of Lake WindermereWindermere Golf Club, is a relatively short par-67 course that has been intricately designed to use the terrain's natural undulations to create tricky narrow fairways and contoured greens. The course also sits in a beautiful spot, allowing golfers to enjoy breath taking panoramic views of the surrounding Lake District scenery,

The course itself is known for it's intricate design across varying terrain, creating unique and therefore challenging shots throughout the round. You may end up taking on one of these shots on the interesting par-4 4th hole, where even with a great tee shot, you are left with a blind shot into a 2-tier green that runs fast. This hidden gem also has a rich history established over 120 years.

Societies, visiting groups and touring golfers are welcome throughout the year, and the stunning location makes it the perfect addition to a tour in this area,

Best for: Golfers seeking a unique golfing challenge in serene surroundings

Suggested tour: West Lakes Golf Tour

CA16 | Moorland/Inland Links | Par 68 5,986 yards | Visitor access: Weekdays & Weekend

Founded in 1894, Appleby Golf Club sits high on Brackenber Moor, on the edge of the North Pennine, Lake District & Yorkshire Dales national parks. The course was redesigned in 1903 by Willie Fernie, is described as an Inland-Links and plays across open Moorland terrain that allow for firm and fast running fairways and greens. The layout is relatively short at just under 6,000 yards, but with a par of 68 and a tricky design that incorporates gentle undulations and thick rough, the course poses an enjoyable challenge.

This is a course where the natural landscape very much defines the character of the course. Tucked between three hilly areas of natural beauty, the terrain is contoured throughout, something the course designers were able to incorporate very well into their design of the course. Golfers also have to contend with heather like rough throughout the course, as well as ever present winds due to it's elevated moorland position. The signature 15th "Bell Hole" is a short par-4, considered to be one of the most memorable in the region, with a tee shot that rewards aggression but quickly punishes you if you go wayward.

Welcoming to societies, visiting groups and touring golfers, Appleby's location nestled between 3 national parks offers a tranquil venue that combined well with nearby courses

Best for: Golfers who want to experience a unique inland links that features Moorland & Heathland characteristics.

Suggested tour: Enquire for details

BS41 | Heathland/Moorland | Par 72, 6,418 yards | Visitor access: Weekday and Weekend availability

Located to the east of Carlisle with over 120 years of history Brampton Golf Club offers visitors a classic James Braid course known as the "Jewel of Cumbria". This James Braid masterpiece blends heathland golf with moorland elements, and boasts dramatic views of the nearby Lake District and North Pennines national parks. This par-72 course flows across naturally undulating land and the sandy soil allows year round playability.

The course offers a variety of different holes, some requiring precision, some strategy and others may need a little creativity. The course eases you in with a forgiving first few holes, before the course moves towards more dramatic terrain on the back-9, where you will be presented with many risk-reward opportunities. If you were to choose a feature hole for the course then most would point towards the par-4 10th, where a tee shot over a ridge can offer a short approach, though danger lurks for any wayward shots

Off the course, Brampton Golf Club has an excellent clubhouse where you can enjoy a range of local ales from the bar, or order one of many delicious dishes that are available on the menu,

Brampton Golf Club takes visitors most times during the week, with more limited weekend avaialbility. For those planning a Lake District golf break, then Brampton is the perfect place to start

Best for: Golfers looking to tick off another James Braid classic, with a unique blend of Heathland & Moorland

Suggested tour: North West Lake District Golf Tour

CA11 | Parkland | Par 69, 6,148 yards | Visitor access: Weekdays & weekends

Sitting at an elevated position on the east edge of the Lake District Penrith Golf Club is a well regarded parkland course that is consistently ranked inside the top 5 courses in Cumbria. This par-69 runs just over 6,100 yards in length and sits upon an elevated position, providing golfers with sweeping vistas of the pennines and lakeland fells., while they enjoy a layout that seamlessly uses the natural features of the land

Set amongst mature woodland on gently undulating terrain, the course features many tight fairways and doglegs, tricky bunkered greens and greens that run true throughout most of the year. If you do find yourself struggling with any of these aspects of the course, then take a look around and enjoy the views from the many elevated tees.

Known for its friendly atmosphere, Penrith Golf Club welcomes societies, visiting groups and corporate outings. The welcoming clubhouse offers a selection of local ales, as well as menu of freshly made dishes for you to enjoy while you look out over the course.

Best for: Golfers seeking to play one of the most highly regarded courses in the region, thanks to it's fantastic layout and incredible panoramic views

Suggested tour: Enquire for details

CA4 | Parkland | Par 72, 6,529 yards | Visitor access: Society groups are welcome from Mon - Sun

Located just outside of one of Englands most northern city's, Carlisle Golf Club is considered to be one of Cumbria's finest inland courses. Founded in 1908, this 6,500 yard championship course has a rich history, including an early redesign of the course by revered architect James Braid. The par-71 layout provides a challenging layout that rewards consistent accuracy and course management, and has played host a number of top level events including the Open Championship Regional Qualifying.

Thanks to the work of the original architect, combined with an expert redesign from James Braid, this course effortlessly flows through the natural terrain, creating a interesting mix of broad fairways and tight tree line fairways. Some stand out holes to mention are the par-4 3rd, which poses a nerve testing tee shot through large oaks, or the par-3 17th, where you play over a natural hollow to a well protected green.

Carlisle Golf Club welcomes visitors throughout the year at both weekdays and weekends. Friendly members are always happy to help, and a warm welcome awaits you in the clubhouse before or after you round

Best for: Societies and groups who are seeking to play one of the regions most prestigious courses, with tournament pedigree and year-round playability.

Suggested tour: Enquire for details

CA20 | Championship parkland | Par 71, 6,584 yards | Visitor access: Weekdays & weekends

Sitting in a beautiful position on the western coastline of the Lake District, Seascale Golf Club is one of the finest and most authentic links golf courses in the region. The course was founded in 1893, and has a wonderful layout that has influence from both Willie Campbell & George Lowe. Much of the course runs along dramatic coastal dunes, and provides visitors with sweeping views of the Irish Sea and the Isle of Man.

At 6,500 yards from the white tees, the course poses a true championship challenge, with features like deep riveted bunkers and fast contoured greens adding an extra layer of complexity. The course opens quite gently, before moving towards more undulating links terrain, with the closing holes returning inland with a number of challenging doglegs. Naturally it's coastal location provides variety each time you visit, and more often than not, throughout your round as well.

Seascale Golf Club is a highly respected links venue that regularly hosts events that include Open Championship Regional Qualifying. and is a must visit course if you find yourself deep in the Lake District countryside.

Best for: Links golf enthusiasts who want to add another must-visit course to their list

Suggested tour: Enquire for details

CA7 | Links | Par 72, 6,641 yards | Visitor access: Weekdays & weekends

Widely regarded as one Englands finest links courses, Silloth on Solway Golf Club offers a true hidden gem of English golf. The history of the incredible layout goes back to 1892, with the original design by David Grant later being refined by the renowned Alister MacKenzie. The course sits upon wild Cumbrian countryside overlooking the Solway Firth, so complimenting this incredible course, are beautiful views throughout your round.

The course itself offers 6,441 yards of the purest championship links, with natural dunes, undulations throughout and firm fescue turf providing the perfect foundation. The route of the layout rises and falls through the natural dunes, with a number of elevated tees allowing views over to Scotland and across the Lakeland Fells. All of the holes at Silloth have their own character, however there are a few holes that deserve a shout out, one of these is the par-4 13th, which requires a demanding drive and an approach shot into an awkwardly sloping green. This course is a must visit and is regularly ranked inside the top 50 courses in GB & Ireland.

Off of the course you will receive a warm welcome from members and staff alike. The traditional clubhouse overlooks the 18th green, perfect if you want to make way to the bar and enjoy one of the local ales as you watch the groups come in.

Best for: Golfers seeking some of the finest links golf in all of the country

Suggested tour: North West Lake District Tour