The Leading Courses, and the Best of the Rest
Quick Reference — All Courses
| Course | Area | Holes/Par | Tier |
| Cleeve Hill Golf Club | Cheltenham | 18 / par 71 | Leading |
| Painswick Golf Club | Stroud | 18 / par 67 | Leading |
| Minchinhampton — Old Course | Stroud | 18 / par 71 | Leading |
| Minchinhampton — Cherington & Avening | Stroud | 18 + 18 | Leading |
| The Players Club (Stranahan & Codrington) | Chipping Sodbury | 18 + 18 | Leading |
| Stinchcombe Hill Golf Club | Dursley | 18 / par 68 | Leading |
| The Kendleshire | Near Bristol | 27 (3×9) | Leading |
| Broadway Golf Club | Broadway | 18 / par 72 | Leading |
| Cotswold Hills Golf Club | Cheltenham | 18 / par 72 | Leading |
| Cirencester Golf Club | Cirencester | 18 / par 71 | Leading |
| Chipping Sodbury Golf Club | Chipping Sodbury | 18 / par 72 | Leading |
| Tewkesbury Park | Tewkesbury | 18 / par 72–73 | Leading |
| Lilley Brook Golf Club | Cheltenham | 18 / par 69 | Leading |
| Cotswold Edge Golf Club | Wotton-under-Edge | 18 / par 71 | Leading |
| Frilford Heath Golf Club | Near Abingdon, Oxon | 54 (3×18) | Leading |
| Huntercombe Golf Club | Nuffield, Oxon | 18 / par 70 | Leading |
| Burford Golf Club | Burford, Oxon | 18 / par 71 | Leading |
| Bowood Golf & Country Club | Calne, Wilts | 18 / par 72 | Leading |
| The Manor House Golf Club | Castle Combe, Wilts | 18 / par 72 | Leading |
| Cumberwell Park Golf Club | Bradford-on-Avon, Wilts | 45 holes | Leading |
| North Wilts Golf Club | Devizes, Wilts | 18 / par 71 | Leading |
| Wrag Barn Golf & Country Club | Highworth, Wilts | 18 / par 72 | Leading |
| Bath Golf Club | Bath | 18 / par 71 | Leading |
| Lansdown Golf Club | Bath | 18 / par 71 | Leading |
| Bristol & Clifton Golf Club | Bristol | 18 / par 70 | Leading |
| The Stratford Park Hotel & Golf Club | Stratford-upon-Avon | 18 / par 72 | Leading |
| Chipping Norton Golf Club | Chipping Norton, Oxon | 18 / par 72 | Relaxed |
| Witney Lakes Resort | Witney, Oxon | 18 / par 71 | Relaxed |
| Southfield Golf Club | Oxford | 18 / par 70 | Relaxed |
| Rodway Hill Golf Club | Gloucester | 18 / par 70 | Relaxed |
| Brickhampton Court — Glevum Course | Churchdown | 9 / par 27 | Relaxed |
| Puckrup Hall Golf Club | Tewkesbury | 18 / par 70 | Relaxed |
| South Cerney Golf Course | Near Cirencester | 18 / par 70 | Relaxed |
| Woodspring Golf & Country Club | Near Bristol | 27 (3×9) | Relaxed |
| Filton Golf Club | Bristol | 18 / par 70 | Relaxed |
| Henbury Golf Club | Bristol | 18 / par 69 | Relaxed |
| Long Ashton Golf Club | Bristol | 18 holes | Relaxed |
1. The Leading Courses
In the Cotswolds AONB — Gloucestershire
Cleeve Hill Golf Club
Cleeve Common, Cheltenham · 18 holes · par 71 · ~6,400 yards
Rating/ranking: #1, Today’s Golfer Gloucestershire ranking — “an England Top 100 course of rare appeal”
Laid out by Old Tom Morris in 1891 on Cleeve Common, the highest point in the Cotswolds (330m). True common-land golf: quarries, free-grazing sheep, and sweeping Severn Vale views, with no clubhouse ownership of the land itself. Saved from closure and taken on a 125-year lease in 2021 — genuinely wild, unspoiled character prized by connoisseurs.
Course map / scorecard / website: cleevehillgolfclub.co.uk
Painswick Golf Club
Painswick Beacon, Painswick, Stroud · 18 holes · par 67 · ~4,900 yards
Rating/ranking: #2, Today’s Golfer Gloucestershire ranking — “the most eccentric, idiosyncratic and bonkers golf course in these county rankings”
Founded 1891, laid out by David Brown atop an Iron Age hillfort in the AONB. One of the shortest 18-hole courses in Britain, with two blind par 3s and fairways shared with walkers. Not a championship test — a genuine curiosity piece with panoramic views to the Malverns and Brecon Beacons.
Course map / scorecard / website: painswickgolf.com
Minchinhampton Golf Club — Old Course
Minchinhampton Common, Stroud · 18 holes · par 71 · 6,088 yards
Rating/ranking: #3, Today’s Golfer Gloucestershire ranking
Laid out in 1889 directly on Minchinhampton Common and unchanged in location since — public roads cross the fairways, sheep and cattle graze freely, entirely unfenced. Widely described as “golf in its simplest and arguably best form.”
Scorecard: old.minchinhamptongolfclub.co.uk/course/old-course-scorecard/
Minchinhampton Golf Club — Cherington & Avening Courses
Near Avening, Stroud · Two further 18-hole courses · Cherington par 71, 6,433–6,459 yds; Avening par 70, 6,311–6,320 yds
Rating/ranking: Cherington #6, Avening #13, Today’s Golfer Gloucestershire ranking
Cherington, designed by Martin Hawtree (1995), has a links-ish feel; Avening, by Fred Hawtree (1975), has hosted Open regional qualifying. Together with the Old Course, Minchinhampton offers three genuinely distinct 18-hole rounds on one site.
Course map / scorecard / website: minchinhamptongolfclub.co.uk
The Players Club — Stranahan & Codrington Courses
Chipping Sodbury, South Gloucestershire · Stranahan: par 68, 5,340 yds · Codrington: par 72, 6,575–7,106 yds
Rating/ranking: Stranahan #5, Codrington #7, Today’s Golfer Gloucestershire ranking
Codrington, designed by Adrian Stiff (2002), has hosted Champions Tour/European Seniors events and features an island hole where both drive and approach carry water. Stranahan is a quicker, shorter round with an island-green opening par 3. A genuinely strong, modern pairing.
Course map / scorecard / website: theplayersgolfclub.com/visitors
Stinchcombe Hill Golf Club
Dursley · 18 holes · par 68 · 5,809 yards
Rating/ranking: #8, Today’s Golfer Gloucestershire ranking; rated by golf writer Henry Longhurst among the most scenic courses in Europe
Constituted 1889, redesigned by Fred Hawtree with advice from James Braid. A downland hilltop course above the Severn Valley with views into Wales; short but genuinely demanding, with rough kept long for nesting skylarks.
Course map / scorecard / website: stinchcombehillgolfclub.com
The Kendleshire
Coalpit Heath, near Bristol · 27 holes across three 9-hole loops · combined yardages 3,029–3,347 per loop
Rating/ranking: #11, Today’s Golfer Gloucestershire ranking; Golf World top-10 new course in the British Isles (1998)
Designed by Adrian Stiff, later enhanced by Ryder Cup player Peter McEvoy. Modern, water-heavy design with a famous par-3 island green. Deliberately informal — no membership required, doubles as an events/wedding venue.
Course map / scorecard / website: golf.kendleshire.com/play
Broadway Golf Club
Willersey Hill, Broadway, Worcestershire (on the AONB edge) · 18 holes · par 72 · 6,228 yards
Rating/ranking: #12, Today’s Golfer Gloucestershire-region ranking — “wonderful MacKenzie front nine”
Founded 1895, moved to its current escarpment site in 1910; Alister MacKenzie designed several greens in the late 1920s, including the drop-shot par-3 5th. Escarpment-top parkland with views over the Vale of Evesham to the Malverns and Black Mountains.
Course map / scorecard / website: broadwaygolfclub.co.uk
Cotswold Hills Golf Club
Ullenwood, Cheltenham · 18 holes · par 72 · 6,557–6,828 yards
Rating/ranking: #16, Today’s Golfer Gloucestershire ranking · Google 4.6★ (153 reviews)
Founded 1902, moved to its current Ullenwood site in the mid-1970s. Undulating course between fast-maturing woodland, regarded as one of the best-conditioned in the county with testing par 4s and 5s.
Scorecard: course.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/course/course/cotswoldhills/detailedscorecard.htm
Cirencester Golf Club
Bagendon, Cirencester · 18 holes · par 71 · 6,027–6,249 yards
Rating/ranking: #17, Today’s Golfer Gloucestershire ranking — “a great members’ course that serves a very lovely town”
Founded 1910, original layout by James Braid, remodelled by Donald Steel in 1996. Free-draining Cotswold limestone turf, a mix of long and short par 4s and demanding three-shot par 5s. Visitors welcome via online booking; also has a 14-bay Toptracer driving range.
Visitor booking: cirencestergolfclub.co.uk/visitors/bookings-green-fees/
Chipping Sodbury Golf Club
Grove Road, Chipping Sodbury · 18 holes · par 72 · 6,657–6,995 yards
Rating/ranking: #18, Today’s Golfer Gloucestershire ranking
Designed by Fred Hawtree, opened 1971 on the club’s fourth site — a distinct club from the modern Players Club in the same town.
Course map / scorecard / website: chippingsodburygolfclub.co.uk
Tewkesbury Park
Lincoln Green Lane, Tewkesbury · 18 holes (“Deerpark” course) · par 72–73 · 6,554–6,579 yards
Rating/ranking: #19, Today’s Golfer Gloucestershire ranking
Opened 1976, designed by Frank Pennink, fully upgraded in 2016. Mature parkland on the site of a former 12th-century deer park, with views to Cheltenham, the Cotswolds and the Severn Valley. Attached to a hotel and health club — a strong resort-golf choice.
Scorecard (PDF): tewkesburypark.co.uk/content/uploads/2025/11/18417-Tewkesbury-Park-6ppRC-Scorecard_FOR-WEB.pdf
Lilley Brook Golf Club
Charlton Kings, Cheltenham · 18 holes · par 69 · 6,212 yards
Rating/ranking: GolfPass 4.35/5 (26 reviews); Leading Courses 7.7/10
Founded 1922 and designed by Alister MacKenzie. The lower 12 holes cross undulating parkland; the final 6 climb to the Cotswold edge for views over Cheltenham to the Malverns, with fast, undulating greens throughout.
Course overview: lilleybrook.co.uk/the-course/course-overview/
Cotswold Edge Golf Club
Upper Rushmire, Wotton-under-Edge · 18 holes · par 71 · ~6,000 yards
Semi-private, playable year-round on the Cotswold escarpment, with views over Wotton-under-Edge to the Severn Vale, Malverns and Wales.
Course page: cotswoldedgegolfclub.org.uk/the-course/
Within 20–30 Miles — Oxfordshire
Frilford Heath Golf Club
Frilford, near Abingdon · 54 holes across three 18-hole courses: Red (par 72, ~6,912 yds), Green (par 69, 6,015 yds), Blue (par 72, 6,728 yds)
Rating/ranking: Historically an England Top 100 course; one of the most prestigious inland clubs in southern England
The Red Course was laid out in 1908 by five-time Open champion J.H. Taylor and remains the club’s flagship. 500+ acres of genuine heathland with greens repeatedly singled out as among the best-conditioned in the country. A serious, championship-calibre club that welcomes visitors by prior arrangement.
Course map / scorecard / website: frilfordheath.co.uk/visitors
Huntercombe Golf Club
Nuffield, South Oxfordshire · 18 holes · par 70 · ~6,281–6,319 yards
Rating/ranking: Ranked 55th in England by Golf World; the only National Club Golfer Top 100s England venue within 30 miles west of London
Founded 1901 and designed by two-time Open champion Willie Park Jnr; the layout remains essentially unaltered. Classic Chilterns heathland-turned-parkland, defined by 100+ grass “pot” hollows in place of conventional bunkers — a bold, strategic, old-school test. Ian Fleming was once a member.
Course tables: huntercombegolfclub.co.uk/course_tables
Burford Golf Club
Burford, Oxfordshire · 18 holes · par 71 · ~6,363 yards
Rating/ranking: #8, Top100GolfCourses Oxfordshire ranking
Designed by J.H. Turner; the first nine opened in May 1936, the second in September 1937. During the Second World War half the course grew cereal crops — the club still competes annually for the “Harvest Cup” in tribute. Mature 1930s parkland and woodland with tight fairways.
Within 20–30 Miles — Wiltshire, Bath & Bristol
Bowood Golf & Country Club
Bowood Estate, Calne, Wiltshire · 18 holes · par 72 · up to 7,309 yards
Rating/ranking: #1 in Wiltshire, Top100GolfCourses; official PGA golf course for the South West of England since 2019
Built in 1992 and designed by Dave Thomas on the historic Bowood Estate (a Capability Brown landscape). Long, championship-standard parkland that has hosted the Challenge Tour Championship — the most credentialed “big test” course in Wiltshire.
Visitor information: bowood.org/golf/visitor-information/
The Manor House Golf Club, Castle Combe
Castle Combe, Chippenham, Wiltshire · 18 holes · par 72 · ~6,300 yards
Rating/ranking: #2 in Wiltshire, Top100GolfCourses.com; 26th, NCG Top 100s: GB&I Golf Resorts; TripAdvisor: #5 of 7 things to do in Castle Combe (108 reviews); Leading Courses 8.5/10
Designed by Peter Alliss and Clive Clark, opened 1992, in 365 acres of wooded valley and downland beside one of England’s prettiest villages. Tree-lined and tight rather than long — the River Bybrook and almost 80 bunkers do the defending, with a genuine risk-reward run of back-to-back par 5s at the 6th and 7th. Part of The Manor House hotel, home to the Michelin-starred Bybrook restaurant — polished resort golf rather than an eccentric classic, and a strong fit for a luxury-stay guest.
Official golf page: exclusive.co.uk/the-manor-house-golf-club/
Cumberwell Park Golf Club
Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire · 45 holes — four 9-hole loops (Red, Yellow, Blue, Orange) plus a developing White Course and a 9-hole Par 3 course
Rating/ranking: 18Birdies 4.6/5 (65 reviews)
Marketed as Wiltshire’s only 45-hole golf course — loops combine into varied 18-hole rounds mixing parkland and inland-links-style holes. On-site cottages available.
Course map / scorecard / website: cumberwellpark.com/golf
North Wilts Golf Club
Bishops Cannings, Devizes, Wiltshire · 18 holes · par 71 · 6,414 yards
Rating/ranking: Hole19 4.7
Founded 1890. A downland course on the Wiltshire Downs midway between Calne and Devizes, near Marlborough — traditional, unpretentious, and well-regarded locally for its condition and welcome.
Course map / scorecard / website: northwiltsgolf.com
Wrag Barn Golf & Country Club
Highworth, near Swindon, Wiltshire · 18 holes · par 72 · 6,622 yards, plus a 6-hole academy course and driving range
Opened 1989. Parkland with wide views across the Berkshire Downs; reviews consistently praise the greens and variety of holes. Also a wedding/events venue.
Course overview: wragbarn.com/wrag_barn_course_overview
Bath Golf Club (“Sham Castle”)
Claverton Down, Bath · 18 holes · par 71 · 6,464 yards
Rating/ranking: #2 in Somerset
Established 1880, majorly redesigned in 1937 by Harry Colt. Named for the nearby Sham Castle folly; a classic downland/parkland course with sweeping views over Bath.
History & course: bathgolfclub.org.uk/history
Lansdown Golf Club
Lansdown, Bath · 18 holes · par 71 · 6,394 yards
Rating/ranking: 18Birdies 4.5/5 (39 reviews)
Established 1894 and originally designed by Harry Colt. Solid rather than flashy parkland three miles from Bath’s centre, popular with visitors as a straightforward complement to Bath Golf Club.
Visitor reviews: lansdowngolfclub.co.uk/visitors/reviews/
Bristol & Clifton Golf Club
Bristol · 18 holes · par 70 · ~6,400 yards
Rating/ranking: Widely regarded as the West region’s leading course; host to regional and national amateur events
Established 1891. The most credentialed members’ club in the immediate Bristol area, though a private club — the visitor experience is more formal than most on this list.
Within 20–30 Miles — Warwickshire / Stratford-upon-Avon
The Stratford Park Hotel & Golf Club (formerly Ingon Manor)
Ingon Lane, Snitterfield, Stratford-upon-Avon · 18 holes · par 72 · 6,502 yards
Designed by David Hemstock, opened 1993, with USGA-spec greens and full irrigation; open all year and open to the public. A modern hotel-resort parkland course rather than a historic classic, but the strongest option immediately around Stratford.
Course map / scorecard / website: ingonmanor.co.uk
The Belfry, near Sutton Coldfield, has been deliberately excluded — at roughly 39 miles from the Stratford/Ilmington edge of the AONB, it sits outside the 20–30 mile radius this guide covers, and reads as West Midlands rather than Cotswolds-adjacent.
2. The Rest — Relaxed, Pay-and-Play & Family-Friendly Courses
For a gentler round, a beginner in the group, or simply a more affordable day out. Grouped by area.
Oxfordshire
Chipping Norton Golf Club (The Cotswolds Club)
Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire · 18 holes · par 72 · ~6,284–6,316 yards
Rating/ranking: TripAdvisor 4/5 (18 reviews)
Semi-private club with public green-fee days (Mon–Fri), attached to the Cotswolds Hotel & Spa. Undulating parkland with a good mix of shorter, forgiving holes alongside tougher ones; good value, welcoming to casual and visiting golfers.
Course info: cotswoldsclub.co.uk/golf/the-course/
Witney Lakes Resort
Witney, West Oxfordshire · 18 holes · par 71 · ~6,570 yards
Rating/ranking: Mixed TripAdvisor reviews — praised for the maturing course, mixed on price/service consistency
Designed by Simon Gidman (1999). Lakeland-style, tree-lined but forgiving, part of a full resort with spa and hotel — a good casual day out rather than a serious test.
Course information: witneylakes.com/golf/course-information/
Southfield Golf Club (Oxford Golf Club)
Hill Top Road, Oxford (3 miles from the city centre) · 18 holes · par 70 · ~6,303–6,325 yards
Harry Colt design (1875/1922), renowned for a strong set of par 3s. Sand-based construction drains well and plays year-round; close to Oxford city centre for an easy casual round, despite a tight suburban setting.
Gloucester, Cheltenham & Tewkesbury
Rodway Hill Golf Club
Highnam, Gloucester · 18 holes · par 70 · 6,071 yards
Rating/ranking: TripAdvisor 4/5 (47 reviews) — voted best value course in Gloucestershire
Affordable pay-and-play with a scenic Highnam Woods backdrop, on-site eco-pod accommodation and stay-and-play packages. A relaxed, family-friendly choice.
Course map / scorecard / website: rodway-hill-golf-course.co.uk
Brickhampton Court — Glevum Course
Churchdown, near Gloucester/Cheltenham · 9 holes · par 27 · 1,788 yards (plus a members’ 18-hole Spa Course)
Rating/ranking: 18Birdies 4.3/5 (42 reviews); Hole19 4.2
A short, purpose-built pay-and-play nine designed for beginners and families, with an excellent driving range and practice facilities alongside.
Puckrup Hall Golf Club (Hilton)
Tewkesbury · 18 holes · par 70 · 6,219–6,293 yards
Rating/ranking: Golf reviews more positive than the hotel’s general TripAdvisor score
Part of the Hilton Puckrup Hall Hotel & Golf Club. A wide-open, forgiving front nine suits casual and beginner golfers; tighter back nine; views to the Malvern Hills. Easy to combine with a spa day.
Golf at Puckrup: puckruphallgolfclub.co.uk/golf-at-puckrup
Bristol Area
South Cerney Golf Course & Driving Range
Northmoor Lane, South Cerney, near Cirencester · 18 holes · par 70 · 5,987–6,119 yards
Rating/ranking: TripAdvisor reviews consistently praise condition and value
True pay-and-play, no membership required, opened 2002. An explicitly forgiving layout, described as ideal for higher-handicap players, near the Cotswold Water Park.
Course map / scorecard / website: southcerneygolfcourse.co.uk
Woodspring Golf & Country Club
Long Ashton, North Somerset (just outside Bristol) · 27 holes across three 9-hole loops (Avon, Brunel, Severn)
Rating/ranking: One of the best budget-friendly options in the Bristol area
Mix-and-match 9-hole loops let casual golfers pick a shorter, easier round (the Avon loop is the shortest and straightest) rather than committing to a tough full 18.
Course map / scorecard / website: woodspring-golf.com
Filton Golf Club
Bristol · 18 holes · par 70 · 6,174–6,192 yards
Rating/ranking: Reviews highlight excellent value (roughly £14–£16 a round)
Established 1909; mature parkland with a good mix of drivable par 4s and short/long par 3s. Praised for a warm welcome to visitors and societies.
Course tour: filtongolfclub.co.uk/the-course/course-tour/
Henbury Golf Club
Bristol (bordering the Blaise Castle Estate) · 18 holes · par 69 · 6,001 yards
Easy walking on the first two and last eight holes; a welcoming clubhouse in a scenic mature-woodland setting near Blaise Castle. Green fees are a little higher than most on this list — worth noting for guests comparing value.
Course map / scorecard / website: henburygolfclub.co.uk
Long Ashton Golf Club
Bristol · 18 holes · ~6,382 yards
Rating/ranking: TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice award
Established 1893, remodelled in 1937 by Hawtree/Taylor. 220 acres of well-maintained rolling parkland with strong practice facilities — a slightly more “proper club” feel than others in this section, but still a relaxed visitor round.
Course map / scorecard / website: longashtongolfclub.co.uk
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