Putting on golf shoes and stepping out onto the tree-lined fairways of Harrogate Golf Club feels like stepping back in time. Established in 1892, the course has a long and storied history in the county, hosting national championships and Yorkshire events. Today, it is a true community club, known especially for its Sunday roasts. Get in a round of real old-fashioned British golf on the 18-hole course, which was designed by Alister MacKenzie, one of the U.K.’s most famous golf course designers.
Start in the clubhouse, where the kitchen offers traditional bacon rolls and tea to fortify players heading to the course. Walk out onto the green, where two returning circuits of nine holes make the most of the golf course’s relatively constrained 6,198 yards (5,667 meters). Test your skills on each hole, which present different challenges while still being thematically connected to the rest of the course. Breathe in the fresh air that has made this area famous while walking the relatively short distance between each hole, creating a relaxing game even when playing 18 holes.
After your game, return to the charming whitewashed clubhouse, where locals offer a welcoming atmosphere to visiting golfers. Wash up in the on-site changing areas and head in for some refreshments. In summer, relax with a draft of ale on the veranda, which overlooks the rose garden and the putting green. In winter, nothing will warm you faster than a pint and some roast while looking out over the greens, debating the finer points of the game just played.
Find Harrogate Golf Club east of Harrogate center on the road to nearby Knaresborough. Drive here in 6 minutes from the main train station in Harrogate or take a bus in about 10 minutes. There is a pro shop on site. Check online to book tee times, generally available in mornings and evenings. Fees vary by season and sometimes include a bacon roll and tea or coffee. Twilight specials are available. The kitchen and bar are open every day from mid-morning to evening and later on Fridays.