Situated in the North East of England, in the county of Northumberland, and set along the region’s coast, a designated area of outstanding beauty, Bamburgh Castle Golf Club is located on the outskirts of the village of Bamburgh, and is only nineteen miles from the town of Berwick-Upon-Tweed. Considered to be one of the most scenic courses in England, this clifftop links affords stunning views in all directions and offers a classic coastal challenge. Bamburgh Castle Golf Club is a must play venue for golf enthusiasts, and especially for those who enjoy pure pleasure in their golf. A warm and friendly welcome awaits visitors in the clubhouse, and with practice facilities open to guests, Bamburgh Castle Golf Club is a fantastic destination to play at while enjoying a golf holiday with Scottish Golf Breaks.
History: Bamburgh Castle Golf Club was founded in 1904 by Lord Armstrong of Bamburgh and Cragside. He donated the clubhouse and funded the development of the course, which was laid out on land leased from one of his friends, based in Newcastle. The club fitted in with his vision to develop Bamburgh as a holiday resort. The course was designed by George Rochester, professional at Alnmouth, and Initially it was 4,282 yards in length. The great golf writer, Bernard Darwin, described it as ‘mountain golf’ and also commented, ‘There may be prettier golf courses, but I really don’t think I have ever seen them, and I have seen a good many by this time’.
In 1907 the club was able to lease more land which gave room for longer holes, and a layout that provided more variety. However, in 1910 the landlord let the mineral rights in a disused stone quarry in the middle of the course. The quarry working caused major disruption. It prompted a further reorganisation of the course to avoid the workings, and the creation of a layout that remains substantially the same to this day.
Over the years, the club’s fortunes fluctuated dramatically, with the periods during and directly after both World Wars proving extremely difficult. During WWII, the RAF took over most of the clubhouse and part of the course, for a radar station, and the Army built defence features, while other parts of the course were given over to agriculture. The remnants of the course remained open but they were hardly played, so, that by the end of the war the club’s finances were exhausted. The RAF did not fully give up the course until 1949. Even then, a major problem for the club remained: a petrol shortage meant people could not easily get to the remote course. By 1954, membership was down to 124 and the club only survived thanks to donations and fundraising events, and the hard work of a few members. Slowly, the club regained its position as rationing was reduced and people could afford to travel again.
1960 saw a major turning point in the club’s fortunes when the life tenant of the trust owning the course agreed to allow Sunday play. Coupled with general economic improvement, this lead to an increased membership. The purchase of the clubhouse from Lord Armstrong in 1969 was another positive step forward, while the purchase of the freehold for the course in 2000 is perhaps the most significant recent development. Today, the club continues to go from strength to strength, with membership and visitor numbers at high levels.
The Course @ Bamburgh Castle: Thought to be one of the most scenic golf courses in England, this traditional coastal classic will leave you breathless. Offering views of Lindisfarne, the Farne Islands, the Cheviots and the magnificent Bamburgh Castle, this clifftop links course is one of the best golfing experiences to be had in England. Opening with a par 3 played over the cliff edge, the drama continues throughout. Blind shots from tee-boxes and fairways add to the excitement, whilst wind direction and strength play a huge part in club selection, on any given day. The course is lined by gorse, heather, whinstone and rare fauna and may not be the longest, but it is stunning, rugged, challenging and great fun to play. If you are lucky enough to enjoy a round on a sunny day, there aren’t many places anywhere to beat it. Bamburgh Castle Golf Club is home to an eighteen hole, par 68 men & par 70 women, track. It has tees ranging from 5,106 to 5,604 yards.
SGB Signature Hole: Name: Island. Number: Hole 8. Measuring 163 yards (M) and 123 yards (W) this short to mid length par 3 offers quite stunning views from its elevated tee-box. Concentration is required to execute the demanding tee shot and find the rather small looking ‘island green’, which seems cut into the rock face. The solitary bunker, front left, should be avoided, whilst any shots right or left of target may be lost forever, and anything short will roll down the steep bank, from a false front at the entrance to the green. Amazing to look at, great fun to play and often a challenge to make a par on, this hole is the pick of the bunch amongst many fantastic holes at Bamburgh Castle Golf Club.
Clubhouse & Practice facilities: The clubhouse at Bamburgh Castle Golf Club was opened in 1904 and has been recently extended. Offering excellent hospitality and glorious sea views towards Lindisfarne and the Farne Islands, the clubhouse affords visiting guests a warm welcome before and after a round of golf. It is a fantastic place to enjoy food and a drink, while being served by the attentive staff team. (see food and dining section). The club openly welcome visiting golfers to use their members’ locker rooms and shower facilities. Buggies, manual and electric trolleys, and club hire are all available at the clubhouse. Practice facilities: Bamburgh Castle Golf Club have a number of practice facilities for visiting golfers. These include warm-up nets, a chipping green, a full size practice area/field, which requires golfers to supply their own balls, and a putting green.
Food & Dining: Overlooking the first tee, and beyond towards Lindisfarne and the Farne Islands, the bar and restaurant at Bamburgh Castle Golf Club offer a range of appetising food and beverage options. From breakfast, to delicious Crayfish salad bowls, whether you’d like a light bite or a full meal, their menu has it covered. For larger groups, a dining room seating up to sixty people is available for use, by arrangement. The well stocked wood panelled bar in the clubhouse offers a wide range of beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks, for visitors to enjoy before or after a round on the course.
Accommodation: SGB partner with a number of hotels in Carlisle, Berwick-Upon-Tweed, and Newcastle, covering the North of England, from the Cumbrian coast on the west, to the Northumberland coast on the east. Many of our customers travelling, by car, from central and southern England, choose to stop off in Berwick-Upon-Tweed, near the Scottish border, or Newcastle, Northumberland’s largest city, for a game of golf in the region and a night’s accommodation, before venturing further northwards onto Scotland’s eastern coast for the remainder of their golf break. Alternatively, many others stop off for a game in the area and then continue onwards into the Scottish Borders or East Lothian, where we partner with a number of hotels. In addition, we have partnerships with several letting agencies to ensure we provide a fantastic suite of accommodation options across Northumberland, the Scottish Borders and East Lothian. Whether you want to stay on a country estate, in a hotel, a luxury lodge, an apartment or a signature villa, Scottish Golf Breaks can arrange it for you.
Featured deal:
Typical packages include:
- Accommodation in a hotel, lodge or signature villa
- A round at Bamburgh Castle Golf Club
- A round at Eyemouth Golf Club
- A round at North Berwick Golf Club
- Dinner Reservations
- Full English/Scottish Breakfast
- Access to changing & locker-rooms, clubhouse and practice facilities
Golf packages can be designed to your specification and group size, and can include alternative accommodation, additional courses across Northumberland, in England, and the Scottish Borders, and or other regions within Scotland.
Additional services:
- Airport or train station transfers (all sizes of groups catered for)
- Executive travel
- Caddie service
