Manor House at Castle Combe

A wonderful course in a wonderful setting amidst 365 stunning acres of breathtaking Cotswold countryside on the edge of the ancient village of Castle Combe. This was the handiwork of Voice of Golf Peter Alliss and the thrills on this rollercoaster of a track come thick and fast, featuring sensational par-3s, driveable par-4s and a pulsating twisting par-5 12th. The signature hole is the stunning 134 yard 17th where you’re asked to find one of two alternate greens…120ft below you! Meanwhile, the stroke index 1 par-5 3rd and the short driveable par-4 8th (yet another elevated tee) will also have you drooling. Mind you, owing to the golf course’s severe elevation changes, only the fit and strong will survive though fortunately there’s a purpose-built buggy path and a fleet of buggies available for hire.

Wonderful 21-years-old Peter Alliss/Clive Clark undulating parkland layout which ends with a classic 384-yards par-4 finale involving a tight drive and daunting approach to a green guarded by a picturesque pond.

More Top 2-FORE!-1 parkland courses

Click here to find out where Manor House ranks in Golf World's Top 100 Resorts UK & Ireland

The newly improved Manor House Golf Club  is one of the most spectacular and challenging courses in the South of England and was recently awarded the coveted HSBC Gold Star as well as being voted within the top 15 2-FORE!-1 courses in Today’s Golfer. Originally designed by Peter Alliss and Clive Clark, it is located in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, nestled in the Cotswold countryside bordering the beautiful village of Castle Combe.

Stay & Play: The Manor House Hotel is a haven of peace and calm, the house itself dating back to the 14th century though its luxurious facilities are very much 21st century: all 48 delightful bedrooms in the Manor House and Mews Cottages are individually designed uniting traditional style with contemporary amenities.

• Course has: Bar
• Course has: Buggy Hire
• Course has: Driving Range
• Course does not have: Practice Green
• Course has: Pro Shop
• Course has: Restaurant
• Course has: Trolley Hire
• Course has: Dress Code
• Course has: Club Hire
• Course does not have: Handicap

• 4 out of 5 Great Course, staff had a bad day?? 24 July 2011

  By Derek Bremner

  Superb setting, the course itself was immaculate and showed you don't have to be super-long to be a proper challenge. Greens excellent, true and receptive. The club house is a very pleasant setting, and I am afraid that this is where the positives stop. A group of 40 of us played two rounds, the deal included bacon baps and coffee on arrival - not enough for us all, we were promised range balls set out for us - none, lunch was sandwiches - stale - and chips, cold and not enough for our later players. At this point our embarrased organiser had to go round and collect an extra £10 off all of us as the club had upped the price. The showers had run out of towels and getting fresh ones akin to growing a second head. The dinner took an absolute age to arrive and when it did was nothing special and rationed and then not enough sweet course for the last table, ice cream was grudgingly provided to those who complained. Classy course, classy surroundings but charged an awful lot for poor service and poor apres-golf experience which means we wont be going back.

• 4 out of 5 Great Course 15 October 2010

  By vasilee

   A great course, fantastic facilties. Grass driving range tees, every hole in isolation form the rest of the course! Streams, lakes, trees, par threes/fours with 80 foot drops to the greens! Love it

• 4.5 out of 5 stunning 23 July 2010

  By clay

  What a cracking course - and it's pretty reasonable to play too... we played a deal where you got coffee and bacon roll before the round and a two course meal after - and all for 40 quid... and i think they even threw in a bucket of balls for the range...   The course is great - some really good holes and some great variation... tricky par 4 and par 3s, a few shorter ones... long carries of some tees.. a real test and it's in top condition. I would happily play here 10 times a year as a visitor!!!!!

• 5 out of 5 Sexy Golf Stunning Course! 01 September 2009

  By andy e

  From the moment you pull up on the car park you know that this is a special place, the staff in the Pro shop are friendly and welcoming along with all the other staff from green keepers to bar staff. The course is set in a stunning location and kept to a very high standard, tees and greens are hand cut and in fantastic condition. This course has some of the best par 3’s I have ever played, the 17th is 134 yards from an elevated tee and the green has water on three side’s, so pick your club wisely. If you’re not the fittest golfer in the world then you might want to get a buggy as there are a few steep long climbs to some of the tee’s, from the 17th to the i8th will certainty get your heart pumping and your legs stiffing up when you relax on the 19th terrace watching the other golfers coming in. If you do one thing before our summer ends? Then make sure you visit this course because you will love it, if you don’t like this course then you should hang up your golf bag and try bowling instead. Best course I have played to date, and I have played some of the bigger named clubs and this course is right up there.  

• 4.5 out of 5 second time round 26 July 2009

  By madennis

  Having already writing one review we played the course again. Since the last time the 18 holes has been mixed up. Why ? . Again the course has some fantastic views and great holes. It was nice ti see some grass on the tee boxes this time and the range was open. My only down point is the buggies. £30 for a buggie and you can't go up to your ball you have to stay on the path and they are right on the edge of holes so you do end up walking most of the way. As a example the new third the path is on the right and the hole all slopes to the left so you end up having to take a few clubs and walk down the hill. As its a par five and two in the buggy you end up taking a long time on this hole as many others

• 4.5 out of 5 What a beauty! 13 March 2009

  By duncanmcdine

  If the views don't get your heart racing, the uphill climbs certainly will. My brother and I walked the 18 holes, and after the walk from 2nd green to 3rd tee, we realised why everyone else forked out nearly £40 for a buggy! There are only 4 or 5 steep uphill climbs, but boy do they get you! Anyway, the course, clubhouse, staff etc were all great. We played it in early March 2009 for the bargain price of £12.50 (teeofftimes.co.uk) and enjoyed playing the most spectacular golf course. It was in great shape despite the cold weather and amount of rain just days before. Most of the holes are easy to reach in regulation, apart from a couple of long par 4's (hole 5 was very difficult). There are lots and lots of sand & water traps to make it tough, but if you play straight and sensible, you should enjoy it here. Hole 17 was the WOW hole. Just tickled a pitching wedge and watched the ball land a yard from the pin (this green is about 120 yards long, and 60 yards down - guarded very tightly by a wide stream to the front & sides). You MUST play this course!

• 5 out of 5 Wow! 12 February 2009

  By katiechick

  Wow!   This is a must, spectacular, awesome, a must.  I've played some courses round the world but this little hidden Wiltshire gem is must.  By far the best course I've ever played.    The whole experience from the moment we arrive till we left, completely 5star.   The course itself is spectacular.  Each hole as challenging as the last one, each one different.   Undulating over some of the most beautiful English countryside I have ever seen.    A real must!!! 

• 5 out of 5 Wentworth of the West! 12 February 2009

  By SallyWebb

  Wow, what a great expereince!  first time i have played this course and i have no doubts in the fact that i will be returing rather promptly!! From arrival to departure we were well looked after, the staff in the bar and shop could not do enough for us,  even the caddymasters knew our names when they caught us halfway round for a hot toddy which went down very well! The food post match was also faboulous, something rather rare with other courses we frequent.  Overall an exceptional course and facilities.

• 5 out of 5 What a hidden Gem!!! 10 February 2009

  By fourscratch

  The Manor House at Castle Combe is a must play for 2009. With 18 truly different golf holes testing every shot in the bag. My partner and I played the course on Saturday 31st January and found the condition to be superb with full tees and geens in operation. PS If it is your first vistit to The Manor House I would reccomend hire of either an electric trolley of golf buggy as it is a testing walk.

• 4.5 out of 5 Buggy essential unless you want a gym workout on the course! 10 November 2008

  By reano72

  Great course, a few memorable fantastic holes inbetween the parkland holes. Very tiring walk between holes. Amazing facilities and in great condition. Even have leave blowers out on the course.

• 5 out of 5 a good course 01 November 2008

  By callumb

  i was very lucky to play this course in the junior wiltshire league this year. the course it self is a very nice course with some nice holes including the 17th even of the back tees its only like a sandwedge

• 5 out of 5 What a Cracker 20 September 2008

  By evandando2

  This is a cracking course. If your not driving straight your in trouble. I loved some of the par 3s. 18th is a lovely finishing hole , open your shoulders on the drive then a tight green protectd by water. Food in the clubhouse was great.

• 4 out of 5 Stunning Setting 17 May 2008

  By gslack

  Top 'wow' factor. Magnificent location, classy club-house. Valleys, drop holes, streams and lakes. You need to be driving straight and then it's a fairly 'easy' course, otherwise take plenty of balls. Either carry or use a power trolley. Buggies are available. A number of long walks from green to tee. 4 hours 30 minutes is the accepted time for a 4 ball over 18. A treat.

• 4.5 out of 5 Beautiful Course 21 April 2008

  By julian_spicer

  Amazing setting, Beautiful course, Recommended as a must play, only paid £32.50 2fore1. Lot of walking between holes recommend trolley or Buggie. Can't wait to go back.

• 4.5 out of 5 Great Course 10 July 2007

  By dunnsterkd

  A great course, fantastic facilties. Grass driving range tees, every hole in isolation form the rest of the course! Streams, lakes, trees, par threes/fours with 80 foot drops to the greens! Love it

• 3.5 out of 5 What a veiw 16 February 2007

  By Anonymous

  Went to play this gem as another course let us down locally. So glad i did the veiw was spectacular and good golf needs to be played. Only down points were the range was closed for work and the tees had NO grass. Also buggies are needed if you dont want to die walking this is known thats why they charge big bucks for the buggies.