Woburn Marquess Course: 2026 Access and Booking Update
The youngest of Woburn's three courses is also its grandest, a par 72 cut through 200 acres of woodland that has hosted the British Masters four times since opening in 2000. Here is where the Marquess stands in 2026, and how to play it.
The news: the jewel in Woburn's crown
The Marquess is the modern member of a famous trio. Where the Duke's and the Duchess date from earlier eras, the Marquess opened in 2000, designed by European Golf Design's Ross McMurray with the involvement of Peter Alliss, Clive Clark and Alex Hay. Named after the then Marquess of Tavistock, it was soon being called the jewel in the crown, and into 2026 it remains Woburn's championship showpiece, a par 72 that stretches to about 7,213 yards from the back markers.
The headline for 2026 is a championship pedigree that belies its age. Since opening, the Marquess has hosted the British Masters four times and the Women's British Open twice, a record that confirms how quickly it matured from a new build into a genuine tournament test. A quarter century on from its debut, the trees have grown into the design and the course plays as though it has always been there.
The course, and the access reality
What sets the Marquess apart is its scale and its setting. The holes are carved through 200 acres of mixed woodland on the rolling Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire border, each one framed by mature trees and given its own distinctive character, so the round feels expansive and private at once. It is a stern but fair test from the back tees and an enjoyable one from forward markers, the defence coming from the woodland framing, the length and well guarded greens. For the full design and access detail see the Woburn Marquess Course profile.
The access reality is straightforward and welcoming. Woburn is a resort style venue that takes visiting golfers readily, and the Marquess is open for green fee play, often packaged with a clubhouse lunch, making it one of the easier great English courses to arrange. For the wider region see the England destination guide and our ranking of the best golf courses in England.
How to play it in 2026
Woburn plays well from spring through autumn, the woodland setting giving shelter and a long season, with the course at its best when the ground has dried into summer firmness. The practical 2026 plan is to book in advance for a weekday date, consider a multi course day across the Marquess, Duke's and Duchess to make the most of the trip, and take the lunch package that Woburn does so well.
Its position near Milton Keynes puts the Marquess within easy reach of both London and the Midlands, and it pairs naturally with the great inland courses of the south and the heathland belt for a fuller English golf trip. Indicative 2026 high season green fees have been in the region of 209 to 255 pounds depending on the day and package, so treat any figure as indicative and always confirm directly before booking.
Our take
Our take is that the Marquess is one of the most rewarding modern parkland courses in England and the pick of Woburn's fine trio for the visiting golfer who wants a championship test. Its woodland setting, its variety and its tournament record make it a genuine highlight rather than a mere alternative to the older courses, and its open access is a bonus on a list full of selective clubs.
For 2026 the advice is to book a weekday date in advance, make a day of it across Woburn's three courses, and use its central location to fold it into a wider tour of English inland golf. Do that and you play a championship venue at its mature best, with none of the access hurdles of the more private clubs.
Plan your Woburn and England parkland golf trip
From the Marquess Course at Woburn to the great inland courses of the south and Midlands, tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge arranges access and builds the trip, with no obligation.
Questions
Who designed the Marquess Course and when did it open?
The Marquess is the youngest of Woburn's three courses, designed by European Golf Design's Ross McMurray with the involvement of Peter Alliss, Clive Clark and Alex Hay, and opened in 2000. Named after the then Marquess of Tavistock, it was quickly dubbed the jewel in the crown. It is a par 72 stretching to about 7,213 yards from the back tees through 200 acres of mixed woodland.
What tournaments has the Marquess hosted?
Since opening in 2000 the Marquess Course has hosted the British Masters four times and the Women's British Open twice, a strong championship record for so young a layout and a measure of how well it has matured into a tournament test.
Can visitors play the Marquess in 2026?
Yes. Woburn is a welcoming venue for visiting golfers and the Marquess is open for green fee play, often with a clubhouse lunch package. Indicative 2026 high season green fees have been in the region of 209 to 255 pounds depending on day and package; treat any figure as indicative and always confirm access and fees directly before booking.
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. Course facts, design history, tournament record and access verified June 2026 from club, ranking panel and golf travel sources; conditions, access and green fees change, so always confirm directly before booking. Last reviewed June 2026.