Norfolk's golf is written in sand and salt marsh along one of the great undiscovered links coasts in England. Royal West Norfolk at Brancaster and Hunstanton lead a run of fine seaside courses from the Wash to Cromer, backed by Breckland heath inland. Here are the eight we rate most highly, ranked, with our verdict on each and how to play it.
Photograph: Royal West Norfolk Golf Club, via Google
Norfolk rewards the golfer willing to look beyond the famous links coasts further north. The county's seaboard, from the tidal marshes of the Wash round to the cliffs of Cromer, holds a clutch of natural links that trade fame for character and value. Royal West Norfolk at Brancaster is the masterpiece, a timeless marsh links where the tide genuinely runs the day, but Hunstanton across the bay is its equal on its day, and Royal Cromer and Sheringham add drama on the cliffs to the east.
Every fact here, from designers and dates to hosting and access, was checked at the time of writing. Most of these clubs welcome visitors readily, with Royal West Norfolk the one that asks for prior arrangement and minds the tides. The verdicts and the order are ours, and reasonable people will argue Brancaster against Hunstanton. If you want any of these built into a costed Norfolk trip with the tee times handled, that is exactly what our concierge does.
The county's masterpiece and one of the most atmospheric links in England. The 1892 layout is strung along a tidal salt marsh where sleepered bunkers and holes cut off at high water give it a character all its own, and on the biggest spring tides the clubhouse itself is marooned. A traditional members club that admits visitors by prior arrangement and is best played in two balls, par 71 of rare quality and a round you do not forget.
The great rival across the bay and a genuinely world class links, laid out in 1891 and extended to 18 holes by James Braid. It runs out and back along a single dune ridge, par 72 over around 6,763 yards, fast, firm and beautifully natural, and it was here that a member famously holed the same par 3 in one on three consecutive days in 1974. Visitor friendly and an essential round on any Norfolk trip.
A dramatic clifftop links above the North Sea, founded in 1888, with the Cromer lighthouse standing sentinel over the back nine and the sea always in view and in play. Old Tom Morris laid it out and Braid, J H Taylor and Frank Pennink all left their mark, producing a par 72 that is exhilarating and exposed when the wind comes off the water. The most scenic round in the county.
A charming clifftop course where the holes run along and back from the sea cliffs and a heritage steam railway puffs past on the inland side. Less severe than its links neighbours but full of character and sea views, it is an easy and thoroughly enjoyable visitor round, the natural companion to a day at Hunstanton or Cromer on the north coast.
One of the most ambitious new clubs in England, which left its historic home in 2019 for a bold European Golf Design course on the city's edge. A modern, generously contoured parkland with a nine hole short course and a full academy, it is the best inland golf in the county and a polished, accessible round when the coast is blowing.
A fine Breckland heathland course on the Norfolk and Suffolk border, all heather, silver birch and sandy soil that plays firm and true the year round. A complete contrast to the coastal links and a lovely sheltered round when the sea wind howls, with deer often crossing the fairways. The pick of the county's inland heath.
A 36 hole parkland resort in the Yare valley with a hotel, spa and two contrasting courses, the gently rolling Valley and the longer Hill. The natural stay and play base for an inland Norfolk break, relaxed and family friendly, and a comfortable counterpoint to the championship links on the coast.
A mature parkland course beside a country house hotel on the edge of Norwich, an easy, well kept round with a comfortable base close to the city. Not a course to build a trip around, but a sensible finishing round or wet weather option to round out a links heavy Norfolk week.
Designers, dates and access verified June 2026. Royal West Norfolk admits visitors by prior arrangement and minds the tides; the others welcome visitors more readily. Always confirm visitor access and fees directly before booking. Check tee time availability.
Tell us which of these are on your list, Brancaster and Hunstanton, the Cromer cliffs, or a wider county tour, and roughly when. One concierge handles the access, the Royal West Norfolk arrangement and the base, and costs the trip to the head, with no obligation.
Royal West Norfolk at Brancaster is the clear number one, a timeless tidal marsh links of 1892 that is among the most atmospheric courses in England. Its closest rival is Hunstanton, the fine James Braid extended links across the bay. Brancaster admits visitors by prior arrangement and Hunstanton welcomes them more readily, so plan ahead and confirm access and fees before booking.
Yes, but with planning. Royal West Norfolk is a traditional members club that admits visitors by prior arrangement, is best played in two balls, and sits on a tidal marsh where the access road and clubhouse can be cut off on the biggest spring tides. Check the tide tables, book ahead and confirm current access and fees directly before booking.
Most of the best. Hunstanton, Royal Cromer, Sheringham, Royal Norwich, Thetford, Barnham Broom and Sprowston Manor all welcome visitors, while Royal West Norfolk at Brancaster admits them by prior arrangement. Summer fills up on the coast, so reserve ahead and always confirm access and fees directly before booking.
May to September is the prime season, with the longest days, the warmest weather and the coastal links at their firm, fast best. The April and October shoulders offer fine conditions, quieter tee sheets and better value, while the Breckland heath at Thetford plays well the year round. Always check the forecast and the tides for your dates.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course facts, access and fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.