Why Tewkesbury Is a Hidden Gem for Golfers
Tewkesbury is best known for its magnificent Norman abbey, its medieval timber-framed streets and the meeting of the Rivers Severn and Avon. Yet for golfers, the town offers something equally appealing: a location that puts dozens of quality courses within a short drive. The flat, fertile Severn Vale provides gentle parkland terrain, while the nearby Cotswold escarpment and the Malvern Hills deliver dramatic elevation and panoramic views. The result is a remarkably varied golfing landscape where you can play a relaxed hotel course in the morning and a challenging hilltop links-style layout in the afternoon.
The region has also benefited from growing interest in golf across the UK. Participation surged in recent years as people sought outdoor recreation, and many clubs around Gloucestershire have responded by investing in course conditioning, practice facilities, flexible memberships and improved clubhouse hospitality. Whether you are a visiting golfer, a newcomer looking for lessons or a seasoned player seeking a new home club, Tewkesbury makes an excellent base.
How We Selected These Courses
Our shortlist considers course design and conditioning, the overall playing experience, practice and coaching facilities, welcome for visitors and societies, clubhouse amenities and value for money. We have included courses within Tewkesbury itself as well as those within an easy drive, since most local golfers regularly play across the wider area.
The Top 10 Golf Courses in and Around Tewkesbury
1. Tewkesbury Park
Set on a hillside overlooking the town and the abbey, Tewkesbury Park combines an 18-hole parkland course with a hotel, spa and restaurant. The course has undergone significant investment and rewards accurate driving, with mature trees, undulating fairways and views across the Severn Vale. Its resort-style setting makes it a favourite for golf breaks, corporate days and players who enjoy relaxing after a round.
2. Puckrup Hall Hotel and Golf Club
Located just north of Tewkesbury, Puckrup Hall offers an attractive parkland course set in rolling grounds with water hazards and well-placed bunkering. Its combination of a country house hotel and a welcoming golf club appeals to both members and visitors, and it is well regarded for society days and weekend golf getaways.
3. Brickhampton Court Golf Complex
Situated between Tewkesbury, Cheltenham and Gloucester, Brickhampton Court is known for its accessible, pay-and-play friendly approach. It offers a full-length championship-style course alongside a shorter nine-hole layout and an excellent practice range, making it ideal for beginners, improvers and competitive golfers alike.
4. Cotswold Hills Golf Club
Perched on high ground above Cheltenham, Cotswold Hills offers wide fairways, fast greens and exposure to the elements that tests every part of your game. The club has a strong competitive culture, a friendly membership and a reputation for excellent course presentation throughout the year.
5. Lilley Brook Golf Club
Lilley Brook is one of the oldest and most respected clubs in the area, with a course designed in the classic era of golf architecture. Its hillside setting on the edge of Cheltenham delivers testing elevation changes, sloping lies and some of the most memorable views in Gloucestershire.
6. Cleeve Hill Golf Club
Set on the highest point of the Cotswolds, Cleeve Hill offers a rugged, open common-land experience unlike most inland courses. Wind, natural terrain and far-reaching views give it a distinctive character. It is known for being welcoming and affordable, making it popular with visitors who want an authentic, unpretentious round.
7. Broadway Golf Club
Located on the Cotswold edge above the picturesque village of Broadway, this well-established club blends upland terrain with beautifully maintained greens. It is a rewarding day out for Tewkesbury golfers, and the surrounding villages make it a pleasant destination for a golf-and-lunch outing.
8. The Vale Golf Club
Near Pershore in the Vale of Evesham, The Vale Golf Club offers a longer championship-standard course alongside a shorter layout. Its generous practice facilities and strong junior and coaching programmes make it a good option for families and developing players.
9. Evesham Golf Club
Evesham Golf Club is a traditional parkland course with a relaxed, sociable atmosphere. Tree-lined holes and well-kept greens reward thoughtful course management rather than raw power, and its friendly members' culture regularly earns praise from visiting societies.
10. Ombersley Golf Club
A short drive north into Worcestershire, Ombersley Golf Club offers undulating parkland golf with views towards the Malvern Hills. Its driving range, academy-style coaching and pay-and-play options make it a practical choice for golfers who want to practise regularly and play without the commitment of a full membership.
Golf Trends Shaping the Tewkesbury Area
Several trends are reshaping golf around Tewkesbury. Flexible membership models, such as points-based or off-peak packages, are becoming more common and are helping younger players and busy professionals get involved. Many clubs are investing in shot-tracking technology at their ranges, launch monitor coaching and sustainable greenkeeping practices that reduce water and chemical use. There is also a stronger focus on inclusivity, with women's golf initiatives, junior academies and beginner-friendly nine-hole formats encouraging more people to take up the game.
Tips for Choosing the Right Course
If you are new to golf, start at a venue with a practice range and short course, where you can build confidence without pressure. Improving players may benefit from joining a club with an active competition calendar and handicap system. Visitors should consider the season: the Severn Vale can be soft after heavy rain, while the hilltop courses around Cheltenham tend to drain well but can be exposed to wind. It is also worth checking whether a course offers society packages or twilight rates, which can provide excellent value.
Final Thoughts
Tewkesbury offers golfers an enviable combination of historic charm and outstanding courses within easy reach. From the resort facilities of Tewkesbury Park and Puckrup Hall to the dramatic heights of Cleeve Hill and Lilley Brook, there is a course for every ability, budget and mood. Explore a few of these venues, try a visitor round or two, and you may well find your perfect home club in this beautiful corner of Gloucestershire.
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