England Destination Guide

England boasts more golf courses and historic links than anywhere in the U.K. That's largely because of it's sheer size, of course. But pound-for-pound, England holds its own versus the likes of the more widely marketed golf tours of Scotland and Ireland, with an impressive number of championship courses worth visiting in all parts of the country, including clubs both new and old, inland and links. In England, it's especially common to incorporate plenty of other activities off the golf course, like a visit to Stonehenge in the south, theatre in London or live music in Liverpool, or the countryside's many oddities and extraordinary castles and ruins. You can't explore all of England in one week as easily as the U.K.'s smaller countries, so you'll have a little more research to do when plotting your England tour. Here is a brief look at it's best golf by region:

Northwest England

The links around the lively metropolises of Manchester and Liverpool in the northwest boast the country's most prestigious links on some of the most striking dunes property, host to several Open Championship venues: Royal Birkdale, Royal Liverpool and Royal Lytham & St. Annes. It's complimentary courses help round out a tour, including Siloth on Solway and Southport & Ainsdale.

Southwest England

The sunny southwest is England's oldest vacation destination thanks to (relatively) dry and balmy weather, so it's no surprise the country's first links course was founded here, Royal North Devon Golf Club in Westward Ho! Across the estuary, Saunton Golf Club features two equal tests of championship links golf, while St. Enodoc Golf Club is a pure joy, one of James Braid's most acclaimed works. Add Burnham & Berrow Golf Club to the mix near Bristol and Trevose Country Club to the far southwest in Cornwall, and you have a week of links as enjoyable and varied in the isles. They're also much easier on the wallet compared to it's famous neighbors to the north.

Southeast England

Southeast England's best links in Kent are about a two-hour drive from the center of London and host to Open Championship venues as well, like 2011 host Royal St. George's, and former host Royal Cinque Ports, which last hosted the event in 1920 is just a chip shot away. Historic Parkstone Golf Club is one of England's better hidden gem parklands as well.

London area

Metropolitan London is host to some of the country's ritziest golf clubs and resorts, where the business set enjoy luxury hotels, spas and prestigious golf at clubs like Wentworth, Sunningdale, Walton Heath and The Berkshire. And don't forget Stoke Park, home to the famous cinematic duel between James Bond and Goldfinger, and also home to England's oldest club, Royal Blackenheath, which boasts a history of over 400 years of golf played on its grounds.