Golf City Guide #7 London
From historic heathland courses to iconic cultural landmarks and world-class cuisine, London offers an unexpectedly rich and refined experience for the travelling golfer, where a morning round on a Harry Colt classic can be followed by a late lunch in a Michelin-starred dining room. This is golf travel at its most cultured, most cosmopolitan, and most memorable.
Image courtesy of Sunningdale
London is a city shaped by the centuries, and for the discerning golfer it presents a unique mix of world-class golf and dynamic urban experiences. Days here might begin on a quiet, tree-lined fairway and end in a historic pub or restaurant, with more landmarks and sights to see in between than any other city in the world. London is one of the great cultural capitals, and its golf isn’t half bad either.
The Golf
London may not shout about its golf scene in the same way as the Channel Coast or Ayrshire might, but just beyond the M25 lies a collection of courses that would make even the most travelled golfer pause for breath. And of all the quality tracks within easy reach of the capital, none are more revered than the Old Course at Sunningdale.
Image courtesy of Sunningdale
The Old Course is a masterpiece of inland golf, arguably England’s finest, and a bucket-list round for any serious player. Originally laid out by Willie Park Jr., it was redesigned in 1922 by Harry Colt, one of the game’s true architectural giants. Colt’s influence remains everywhere in the tumbling fairways, intelligent bunkering, and the kind of subtle strategy that rewards intelligent play over brute force. It’s no exaggeration to say that this is one of the most beautifully presented and atmospheric inland courses in the world.
Image courtesy of Hankley Common
But the capital’s golfing riches don’t end there. Also within striking distance are The Berkshire’s Red and Blue Courses, Hankley Common, and the so-called Three Ws (Woking, Worplesdon and West Hill) – a triumvirate of golden-age design, set in glorious heathland and delivering heritage, charm and fast-running fairways in equal measure.
Image courtesy of Walton Heath
For those willing to venture a little further, Walton Heath (Old) – a former Ryder Cup host and another Colt creation – offers yet more pedigree, while Swinley Forest, long regarded as one of the UK’s most exclusive clubs, is a quiet, understated gem that feels like stepping back in time.
Food & Drink
In a city which few can match for culinary diversity, in London you can try anything from Michelin-starred Indian, Japanese, and Chinese restaurants to authentic neighbourhood spots serving Ethiopian, Vietnamese, Turkish, Caribbean, and Middle Eastern fare. After a morning round, there’s nothing better than heading back into the city and discovering what it has to offer.
Image courtesy of Monmouth Coffee
Start with Borough Market, a feast for the senses just south of the Thames, where traders have been selling artisanal produce since the 12th century. Grab a coffee from Monmouth, a grilled cheese from Kappacasein, or a dozen oysters with a glass of English sparkling.
Image courtesy of The Guinea Grill
Later, explore the pubs of Mayfair and Soho, from old-school boozers pouring hand-pulled ales to refined taverns offering wine lists as long as your scorecard. The Guinea Grill is a must, famous for its Guinness, steak and standing-room-only bar, while Rules in Covent Garden, London’s oldest restaurant, delivers classic British fare with a flourish.
Image courtesy of Rules in Covent Garden
For something special, Sketch, Core by Clare Smyth, or The Ledbury all hold Michelin stars and give you the kind of dining experience that elevates an entire trip.
Attractions
You can’t play golf every hour of the day, and in London, the off-course itinerary is just as essential. The city’s big hitters – Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral, and the British Museum – offer a direct line to the past, but it’s the lesser-known experiences that truly define a London visit.
Opt for a private, insider-led walking tour, where your guides aren’t actors or guides by trade, but historians, architects, doctors and lawyers – residents who know the alleyways and anecdotes of this vast metropolis like the back of their hand. From hidden courtyards in Clerkenwell to the quiet mews streets of South Kensington, these tours peel back the layers of the capital with a history stretching back to Roman times.
Art lovers will find heaven in Tate Modern, the National Gallery, and the V&A, while shoppers can lose hours in Liberty, Fortnum & Mason, or the arcades of Mayfair. And when you need a breather, take it in true London style: a stroll through Hyde Park along the Serpentine, an afternoon tea at Claridge’s, or a martini at Dukes Bar, where Ian Fleming found inspiration for Bond’s iconic order.