The Best Golf Courses in Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire to Play This Summer

If you are looking for proper Cotswold golf this summer, Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire offer some of the most enjoyable and characterful courses in the UK. This is not just about perfectly manicured fairways it is about views, variety, and courses that you actually remember after the round.

From dramatic hilltop layouts to relaxed countryside tracks, here are some of the best courses to get on your list.

Naunton Downs Golf Club

Naunton Downs is one of those courses that perfectly captures what Cotswold golf is all about. Set just outside Cheltenham, it is surrounded by rolling countryside and offers a peaceful, almost hidden away feel.

The course is designed around the natural landscape, meaning no two holes feel the same. Wide fairways give you confidence off the tee, but the smaller greens demand precision on approach. It is a course that suits all abilities while still keeping things interesting. ()

What really makes it stand out is the setting. With racehorses often training nearby and uninterrupted countryside views, it feels like a proper escape from everything else.

Cleeve Hill Golf Club

Cleeve Hill is unlike anything else in the area. Sitting at the highest point in the Cotswolds, this course is all about raw, natural golf.

There are no perfectly striped fairways here instead you get firm turf, rolling hills, and a layout that changes depending on the conditions. Add in grazing sheep and huge panoramic views, and it feels closer to links golf than a typical inland course.

On a clear summer day, it is one of the most memorable rounds you will play anywhere in the UK.

Burford Golf Club

Burford Golf Club offers a more traditional parkland experience, but that does not make it any less enjoyable.

The course is known for its consistency. Well kept fairways, true greens, and a layout that rewards good course management make it ideal for mid handicappers looking for a fair but testing round.

It is also one of those clubs where everything just feels easy to enjoy from the welcome in the clubhouse to the overall flow of the course.

Lyneham Golf Course

Lyneham Golf Course, also known locally through The Wychwood Golf Club, is a brilliant option if you want a relaxed but quality round.

Set in Oxfordshire countryside, it offers a mix of open holes and tighter tree lined sections. It is playable for beginners but still gives more experienced golfers enough of a challenge to stay engaged.

It is the kind of course you can turn up, enjoy, and not feel overwhelmed which makes it perfect for summer rounds with friends.

Why These Courses Are Perfect for Summer

What makes Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire so good in summer is the variety. You can play a rugged hilltop course in the morning, then a smooth parkland layout the next day and get two completely different experiences.

Courses like Naunton Downs show off the natural beauty of the Cotswolds, while places like Cleeve Hill give you something totally unique. Then you have Burford and Lyneham offering that classic, enjoyable round that keeps you coming back.

Final Thoughts

You might have to travel a bit to experience these courses, but the journey is well worth it. Winding through the beautiful country roads of Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire, you will pass rolling hills, stone villages, and open countryside that make the drive part of the experience itself. Some of the most enjoyable golf in the UK can be found right here in these regions.

Whether you are chasing views, variety, or just a solid round with mates, these courses deliver exactly what summer golf should be about.

Just be warned once you start ticking these off your list, you will probably want to play them all again.