Delamere Forest
Herbert Fowler laid out Delamere Forest in 1910 on rolling heathland inland of Chester, and it remains one of the finest courses in the North West of England. A par 72 of 6,348 yards, it is all space and strategy, with springy heath underfoot, gorse and broom in flower, and long panoramic views from the high ground that belie the modest scorecard length.
Photo: Delamere Forest Golf Club via Google.
The verdict
Delamere Forest is a connoisseur's course, the kind that golf architecture enthusiasts seek out and ordinary visitors leave raving about. Herbert Fowler, the man behind Walton Heath, found a marvellous piece of undulating heathland here and routed a course that uses every fold of the ground, with greens set on natural plateaus and shoulders that reward the bold, well struck approach.
The name misleads. This is not a tree lined forest course but an open, rolling heath where the wind matters and the strategy is laid bare in front of you. At under 6,400 yards it is no monster, but the firm heathland turf, the clever green sites and the demand for precise position make it a far stiffer and more rewarding examination than the yardage suggests, and a genuine hidden gem of Cheshire golf.
Delamere Forest at a glance
- Founded
- 1910
- Designer
- Herbert Fowler
- Type
- Heathland
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- 6,348 yds
- Green fee
- Visitor rate
Designer, founding year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Delamere Forest Golf Club and leading course databases. The club was founded in 1910 to a Herbert Fowler design, a par 72 of 6,348 yards. Delamere 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
Fowler's genius shows in the green sites. Many sit on natural shelves and rises, so the approach must carry to the right level and hold, and a shot that comes up short or runs long is left with an awkward chip from below or beyond. The contouring is subtle but everywhere, and reading the ground is the heart of a good round here.
The higher holes deliver the views, opening across the Cheshire plain to the hills beyond, and the heather and gorse frame the fairways with colour through the summer. There is room off the tee, but the heath punishes the wayward shot, and the strategic player who plots a route to the safe side of each green is the one who scores.
What lingers is the purity. Delamere has been left largely as Fowler intended, an honest, natural heathland that asks thoughtful questions rather than overpowering you, and that timeless quality is exactly why it endures on the lists of the region's best.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Members club that welcomes visiting golfers and societies on most days; advance booking is recommended |
| Green fee | Indicative visitor green fees in the region of 55 to 95 pounds depending on season and day (2026); always confirm directly before booking |
| Booking | Reserve through the Delamere Forest golf office; weekends are busiest with member play |
| On the day | Smart golf dress; a rolling heathland walk with trolleys available, firm and well drained year round |
| Getting there | Delamere in inland Cheshire, between Chester and Northwich, close to the A556 and the M56 |
| Best months | May to September for the heather in colour and the firmest heathland turf |
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
Chester makes a superb base, a historic walled city with excellent hotels and restaurants a short drive west, while Northwich and the surrounding Cheshire countryside offer quieter country house options. This is gentle, prosperous country, easy to tour and rich in good golf within a small radius.
Delamere pairs beautifully with the other quality courses of Cheshire for an inland golf break, an easy run to the championship parkland of the Mere near Knutsford or the Harry Colt classic at Prestbury toward Macclesfield.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Delamere Forest.
Build a Cheshire golf trip
We arrange tee times at Delamere Forest, pair it with the best of Cheshire's heathland and parkland 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.
Delamere Forest questions
Who designed Delamere Forest and when did it open?
Delamere Forest was designed by Herbert Fowler and the club was founded in 1910, one of the architect's fine inland heathland creations.
What is the par and length of Delamere Forest?
Delamere Forest is a par 72 of 6,348 yards, a heathland course where strategy and shot placement matter more than raw length.
Is Delamere Forest really a forest course?
Despite the name, Delamere is a natural heathland course with a wonderful sense of space. Trees feature on several holes but the prevailing feeling is open heath with wide views.
Can visitors play Delamere Forest Golf Club?
Yes. Delamere Forest welcomes visiting golfers; book a tee time in advance and confirm the current green fee before you travel.
Related
The Tee Sheet
Tee time windows, course access changes and the trips worth taking. Every other week.
Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, founding year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.