Situated in the North East of England, in the county of Northumberland, and set along the region’s coast, a designated area of outstanding beauty, Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Course is located near the villages of Embleton and Craster, and is only thirty miles from the town of Berwick-Upon-Tweed, and the Scottish border. Designed by Open Championship winner and renowned course architect James Braid, this traditional links course wraps around the magnificent Embleton Bay, recently voted the best stretch of coastline in Britain. Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Course offers a true links experience, set amongst stunning scenery and is a must play venue for golf enthusiasts. Considered by many as the friendliest course in Northumberland, a warm welcome awaits visitors in the clubhouse, and with practice facilities open to guests, Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Course is a brilliant destination to play at while enjoying a golf holiday with Scottish Golf Breaks.
History: This natural links was founded in 1900 by Dunstanburgh Castle Estate as an attraction for visitors to Dunstanburgh Castle Hotel. The estate was then purchased by Sir Arthur Munro Sutherland in 1919, and the the course was subsequently re-designed by Open Championship winner and renowned course architect James Braid in 1920. William Sutherland inherited the course from his parents and even when he faced financial difficulties, this keen golfer, managed to ensure the course was not returned to its original use as farming land.
The course has strong Ladies and Gents Clubs attached to it. These were both formed after the Second World War, although there may have been clubs associated with the course prior to this time, and even as early as 1907, but no minutes exist to prove this point. In terms of numbers, club membership has never been that high, but numbers alone do not ensure strength or identity, and from the outset the course had always encouraged visiting parties to enjoy play at this fabulous venue as a means of generating income. This tradition continues to the present day, and is seen in the warm welcome afforded to visitors and the splendid food on offer at the clubhouse.
As a private enterprise, Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Course has had a number of owners down the years, but when Dr Peter Gilbert took over in 1987 this led to better communication between the clubs and the course, and has enabled great improvements to be carried out on the links. Investment in machinery, and the introduction of new greens and tees has seen the course brought into the fine condition golfers enjoy today, with more member and visitor rounds being played on it each year.
The Course @ Dunstanburgh Castle: Sitting in the shadow of the 14th century Dunstanburgh Castle, the course wraps around the magnificent Embleton Bay, recently voted the best stretch of coastline in Britain. Designed by Open Championship winner and renowned course architect James Braid, Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Course offers a true test of links golf. Guarded with bunkers and gorse, golfers need to judge the ever changing wind direction on this traditional links course, as it bends around the bay and back. Quite simply, both the golf and the scenery to be enjoyed in this designated area of outstanding natural beauty are truly spectacular. Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Course is an eighteen hole, par 70 men & par 73 women, track. It has tees ranging from 5,624 to 6,298 yards.
SGB Signature Hole: Name: Castle. Number: Hole 13. Measuring 127 yards (M) and 94 yards (W) this stunning short par 3 sits in the shadow of the castle ruins, which frame the green below beautifully from their commanding position on the clifftop. The hole is played across a coastal ravine, towards the castle and an upturned saucer shaped green, which is guarded by the coast to the left and by out of bounds walls tight to the rear and right. Short but scary, this tremendous little golf hole offers fun and jeopardy in equal measure.
Clubhouse & Practice facilities: With no formal dress code and its relaxed atmosphere, the clubhouse guarantees visiting golfers a warm welcome on arrival at Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Course. The spacious surroundings can accommodate large visiting parties, and offers free public Wi-fi. The clubhouse is a great place to enjoy the great food on offer and wonderful views of the course and coastline. Catering and a licensed bar are available throughout the day. (see food and dining section). Visiting golfers are welcome to use the changing rooms and shower facilities within the clubhouse. Buggies and manual trolley hire are available at the clubhouse. Practice facilities: Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Course has a chipping green, and a putting green for visiting golfers to practice on, before a round.
Food & Dining: Overlooking the course and offering wonderful views of the coastline, the bar and dining area at Dunstanbugh Castle Golf Course offer a range of appetising food and beverage options. From a breakfast Burrito or a Northumbrian Breakfast, to a delicious fish basket, whether you’d like a sandwich, a light bite or a full meal, their menu caters to most tastes. The well stocked bar in the clubhouse offers a wide range of beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks, for visitors to enjoy before or after a round on the course.
Accommodation: SGB partner with a number of hotels in Carlisle, Berwick-Upon-Tweed, and Newcastle, covering the North of England, from the Cumbrian coast on the west, to the Northumberland coast on the east. Many of our customers travelling, by car, from central and southern England, choose to stop off in Berwick-Upon-Tweed, near the Scottish border, or Newcastle, Northumberland’s largest city, for a game of golf in the region and a night’s accommodation, before venturing further northwards onto Scotland’s eastern coast for the remainder of their golf break. Alternatively, many others stop off for a game in the area and then continue onwards into the Scottish Borders or East Lothian, where we partner with a number of hotels. In addition, we have partnerships with several letting agencies to ensure we provide a fantastic suite of accommodation options across Northumberland, the Scottish Borders and East Lothian. Whether you want to stay on a country estate, in a hotel, a luxury lodge, an apartment or a signature villa, Scottish Golf Breaks can arrange it for you.
Featured deal:
Typical packages include:
- Accommodation in a hotel, lodge or signature villa
- A round at Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club
- A round at Eyemouth Golf Club
- A round at Goswick Golf Club
- Dinner Reservations
- Full English/Scottish Breakfast
- Access to changing & locker-rooms, clubhouse and practice facilities
Golf packages can be designed to your specification and group size, and can include alternative accommodation, additional courses across Northumberland, in England, and the Scottish Borders, and or other regions within Scotland.
Additional services:
- Airport or train station transfers (all sizes of groups catered for)
- Executive travel
- Caddie service
Need to know
A true links course
Northumberland’s friendliest course
Rated one of Northumberland’s finest courses
