The Addington Old Course
J.F. Abercromby opened the Old Course at The Addington in 1913, a wild, ravine crossed heathland just south of London that has long been a cult favourite among golf architecture lovers. A par 69 of about 6,338 yards, it has been brought back to life by a restoration begun in 2020, and ranks among the most original inland courses in England.
Photo: The Addington Golf Club via Google.
The verdict
The Addington is one of the great curiosities and joys of English golf. J.F. Abercromby designed the Old Course and opened it in 1913 on tumbling heathland in Croydon, on the southern edge of London. It is a par 69 of about 6,338 yards, routed across ravines and ridges with bold carries, heather and pine, and greens set on natural plateaus.
For years it was a faded gem, but an extensive restoration by Clayton, DeVries and Pont, begun in 2020, has recovered Abercromby lost width, bunkering and green sites. The result is once again one of the most admired and distinctive heathland courses near London, a course architecture enthusiasts travel a long way to play. Visitors are welcome on weekdays.
The Addington Old Course at a glance
- Opened
- 1913
- Designer
- J.F. Abercromby
- Type
- Heathland
- Par
- 69
- Yardage
- About 6,338 yds
- Green fee
- From about £100
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from The Addington Golf Club and leading course databases. The Old Course was designed by J.F. Abercromby and opened in 1913, a par 69 of about 6,338 yards, with a restoration by Clayton, DeVries and Pont begun in 2020. Visitors are welcome on weekdays with indicative green fees of about £100 to £125. Always confirm current rates and availability directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The Addington is unlike anywhere else. Abercromby used the dramatic, ravine cut land to demand bold carries over heather and valley, and the par 3s in particular are famous, none more than the long short hole over a deep gully to a raised green.
The 2020 restoration has reopened sightlines and recovered the natural green sites and bunkering that decades of growth had swallowed, returning the strategy and width Abercromby intended. The greens sit beautifully on the natural ground and ask for precise, committed approaches.
It is heathland golf with real drama and personality, a course to be relished by anyone who loves design. Pair it with the great Surrey and London heathland courses for one of the finest inland trips in England.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Visitors welcome Monday to Friday; book a tee time through the pro shop |
| Green fee | Indicative about £100 to £125 (indicative, 2025) |
| Booking | Contact the pro shop in advance; weekday visitor times are available through the day |
| Season | Year round heathland golf; firmest and best from late spring through early autumn |
| On the day | Walking on dramatic, undulating heathland; a relaxed, architecture loving club |
| Getting there | Shirley Church Road, Croydon, on the southern edge of London, easily reached from the city |
Green fees verified June 2026 and reported about £100 to £125 from the most recent available rates; figures are indicative and change by season and year, so always confirm current rates and availability directly before booking.
Where to stay nearby
Most visiting golfers stay in central London or the southern suburbs near Croydon, both within easy reach of The Addington and a wealth of hotels, dining and the wider golf of Surrey. The course is close enough to the city for a round either side of a London trip.
For a golf focused stay, a Surrey or south London base pairs The Addington with the great heathland courses of the region for a superb inland golf itinerary. The heathland plays best from late spring through early autumn.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near The Addington Old Course.
Plan a Surrey golf trip
We book The Addington tee times, pair them with the great heathland of Surrey and London and sort the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
The Addington Old Course questions
Who designed The Addington Old Course?
The Old Course at The Addington was designed by J.F. Abercromby and opened in 1913, with a major restoration by Clayton, DeVries and Pont begun in 2020.
What is the par and length of The Addington Old Course?
The Addington Old Course is a par 69 of about 6,338 yards, a dramatic heathland layout routed across ravines and ridges in Croydon, south London.
Can visitors play The Addington?
Yes. Visitors are welcome Monday to Friday, with tee times bookable through the pro shop. Weekday visitor times are available through the day.
What makes The Addington special?
The Addington is celebrated for its original, dramatic routing over ravine cut heathland and for its famous par 3s, recently revived by an extensive restoration that recovered Abercromby lost design.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.