Bamburgh Castle
Founded in 1904 on the dunes between Bamburgh and Seahouses, this is a short links with one of the great views in British golf. A par 68 of 5,604 yards, it tumbles over whinstone outcrops and humpy fairways below the great Norman castle, with Lindisfarne and the Farne Islands filling the sea horizon. It will not test you on length, but it will charm and unsettle you in equal measure.
Photo: Bamburgh Castle Golf Club via Google.
The verdict
Bamburgh Castle is not a championship test and never pretends to be. It is something rarer: a course people travel for because of where it sits. The links runs along a low ridge above the beach, and from almost every tee you have the castle on one side and the open North Sea on the other, with the Holy Island of Lindisfarne and the Farne Islands laid out beyond.
The golf is short, eccentric and great fun. Outcrops of whinstone rock break through the turf, blind shots and steep little climbs keep you guessing, and the wind off the sea can turn a wedge into a long iron. Purists looking for length should set expectations, but golfers who love character, scenery and a course that makes them smile will rank a round here among the most memorable of a Northumberland trip.
Bamburgh Castle at a glance
- Founded
- 1904
- Type
- Links
- Par
- 68
- Yardage
- 5,604 yds
- Region
- Northumberland
- Green fee
- Visitor rate
Founding year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Bamburgh Castle Golf Club and leading course databases. The club was founded in 1904, a par 68 links of 5,604 yards. Bamburgh welcomes visiting golfers; green fees vary by season and day (indicative, 2026), so always confirm the current rate directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The round opens in unusual fashion with a pair of short par 3s, a quirk that sets the tone, before the holes climb the ridge and the views begin to do their work. The whinstone rock is the signature hazard, breaking through fairways and framing greens, and shots that find it can kick anywhere, so local knowledge and a sense of humor both help.
The high holes along the top of the course are the ones you will photograph, with the castle dominating the skyline and the islands strung out across the sea. Several greens are perched and exposed, and judging the wind on the short approaches is the whole game here, a little links where the half club either way is the difference between a tap in and a scramble.
It is a course best played for what it is: a joyful, scenic, old fashioned links that has barely changed in a century. Walk it slowly, keep the camera handy, and accept that the wind and the rock will have the last word.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Members club that welcomes visiting golfers; tee times can be booked ahead and are in steady demand through the summer |
| Green fee | Indicative visitor green fees in the region of 50 to 90 pounds depending on season and day (2026); always confirm directly before booking |
| Booking | Reserve through the Bamburgh Castle golf office; weekends and holiday weeks fill quickly |
| On the day | Smart golf dress; the course is short but the climbs are real, so a comfortable walk rather than a buggy course |
| Getting there | Bamburgh on the north Northumberland coast, about an hour north of Newcastle and close to the A1 |
| Best months | May to September for the long northern daylight and the clearest island views |
Access and fee details verified June 2026; rates change by season and day, so always confirm directly with the club or your trip planner before booking.
Where to stay nearby
The village of Bamburgh sits beneath the castle and offers characterful inns and hotels within walking distance of the first tee, while nearby Seahouses and Beadnell give more options along the coast. This is a part of England where the golf is only half the appeal, with empty beaches, the Farne Islands boat trips and Lindisfarne all on the doorstep.
Bamburgh pairs naturally with the other links of the north Northumberland coast for a relaxed buddies trip, an easy drive from the rumpled fairways of Goswick near Berwick or the polished parkland of Close House inland toward Newcastle.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Bamburgh Castle.
Build a Northumberland golf trip
We arrange tee times at Bamburgh Castle, pair it with the best of the Northumberland links coast and book the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Bamburgh Castle questions
When was Bamburgh Castle Golf Club founded?
Bamburgh Castle Golf Club was founded in 1904 and opened that August, established by Lord Armstrong on the links between Bamburgh and Seahouses.
What is the par and length of Bamburgh Castle?
Bamburgh Castle is a par 68 of 5,604 yards, a short links that places more emphasis on positioning and short game than on length.
Can visitors play Bamburgh Castle Golf Club?
Yes. Bamburgh Castle welcomes visiting golfers; book a tee time in advance, especially in summer, and confirm the current green fee before you travel.
What are the views like at Bamburgh Castle?
The course is famous for its panoramas, looking out over Bamburgh Castle, the Holy Island of Lindisfarne and the Farne Islands across the North Sea.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Founding year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.