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Golf in Northumberland

Slaley Hall may have put Northumberland on the golfing map in European Tour terms but the area has long been popular with golfing visitors, many of whom regularly make the relatively short trip from Scotland. From Goswick and Bamburgh in the north to Slaley Hall in the South, Northumberland is a golfing wonderland which is certainly worth a visit on at least one occasion.

Goswick, which was designed by the legendary James Braid, sits to the south of the ancient town of Berwick-upon-Tweed and is a fabulous test of golf amid the rugged dunes.

Magdalene Fields, a municipal course which sits in Berwick itself, is much different though still merits a visit before heading south to take in gems such as Bamburgh Castle and Seahouses. Bamburgh Castle is one of the most popular courses in the whole of Northumberland. At 5,500 yards, it is not long by any manner of means and, unusually, it opens with two par-3s. But, in addition to being a tricky test of golf, the course also enjoys stunning views across to Holy Island, the Cheviot Hills and, of course, Bamburgh Castle.

A few miles down the road from Bamburgh is the fishing town of Seahouses, where the golf course is also extremely popular. Inland a bit there are courses at Alnwick, Wooler and Belford but it's the courses on the coastline which are definitely the jewels in the Northumberland crown. And they don't get much better, it must be said, than the likes of Dunstanburgh Castle and Foxton Hall.

The former is a classic links course near the village of Embleton, while the superb Foxton Hall sits on the cliffs above the picturesque village of Alnmouth, which also boasts a testing nine-holer that is well worth a visit. Moving further south Burgham Park, Swarland Hall and Linden Hall are relatively new additions to the Northumberland golfing map, while Morpeth, soon to celebrate its centenary, has long been a popular course - it was designed by Harry Vardon - with members and visitors alike. In the south of Northumberland you will find Hexham, another place steeped in history, and a collection of great golf courses.

There's Hexham Golf Club itself and, of course, Slaley Hall, now a regular stop for both the European Tour and the European Seniors' Tour. Part of the De Vere stable, Slaley Hall has two championship courses - the Hunting, labelled the 'Augusta of the North', and the Priestman - and is the perfect place for a golfing break.

The resort offers everything you could possibly want, both on and off the course, and, like so many courses in Northumberland, the surrounding scenery will simply take your breath away.

Another course in the south of the area well worth a visit is Stocksfield, where a woodland front nine and a more parkland closing stretch combine to make it one of the most intriguing layouts in all of Northumberland. Why don't you find out for yourself.