Heythrop Park Golf Course

at Heythrop Park Hotel

Location: Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, England | Style: Traditional Parkland | Length: 7,088 yards | Par: 72 | Designer: Tom MacKenzie / Mackenzie & Ebert | Founded: 2009

Set within the rolling Oxfordshire countryside on a historic 440-acre estate, Heythrop Park Golf Course delivers a quintessential English parkland golf experience with a luxurious resort backdrop. Redesigned in 2009 by acclaimed architect Tom MacKenzie of Mackenzie & Ebert, the Bainbridge Course winds gracefully through valleys, ancient woodland, lakes, and streams, combining strategic golf with the natural beauty of the Cotswolds landscape.

The course blends championship-calibre design with broad appeal for resort golfers, offering generous fairways in places while demanding precision around water hazards and cleverly positioned bunkers. Elevation changes throughout the routing create both visual drama and memorable shot-making opportunities, particularly on the inward nine. With the imposing Heythrop Park manor house providing a striking backdrop to the closing hole, the experience feels both refined and unmistakably British.

Course highlights

• Championship parkland design – Redesigned by renowned architect Tom MacKenzie, whose work includes projects linked to Open Championship venues
• Scenic Oxfordshire setting – Routed across a historic 440-acre estate with mature woodland, lakes, streams, and rolling ridgelines
• Memorable finishing stretch – The closing holes build towards a dramatic finish beneath the backdrop of the grand Heythrop manor house
• Playable yet strategic – Wide corridors in places invite aggressive play, but water hazards and angled greens reward thoughtful course management
• Ideal golf break destination – Combines resort luxury, spa facilities, and countryside tranquillity with easy accessibility from London and the Midlands

Signature Holes

Heythrop's 18-hole track navigates through valleys and ridges that are lined with beautiful ancient woodland, lakes, and streams. The course is home to several signature holes. The pick of the bunch are the 6th and 14th.

The green at the 6th is what makes it so special, as it nestles beside a picturesque fishing lake, providing the perfect backdrop (par-4 measures 313 yards). The 14th hole wraps around the historic woodland at Heythrop and measures 524 yards (par-5). The hole boasts a remarkable green that is accompanied by a phenomenal 18th-century stone bridge.

Clubhouse & amenities

Heythrop Park offers a full resort-style experience beyond the golf course, making it particularly popular for UK golf breaks and weekend escapes. Facilities include:

• Full-length driving range, putting greens, and short-game practice areas
• PGA professional tuition and well-stocked pro shop
• Luxury hotel accommodation within the historic Heythrop Park estate
• Spa, swimming pool, sauna, steam room, and gym facilities
• Restaurant and bar serving breakfast, lunch, and post-round dining options
• Buggy hire and stay-and-play packages available year-round

The atmosphere combines country-house elegance with relaxed resort comfort, appealing equally to groups, couples, and society golfers.

Post Round

After your round, the resort spa is one of the standout attractions at Heythrop Park. Guests can unwind in the sauna or steam room, enjoy the indoor pool, or settle into the hotel’s dining venues overlooking the estate grounds. The combination of golf, countryside scenery, and wellness facilities makes Heythrop Park particularly appealing for longer golf holidays and luxury weekend retreats.

Nearby activities

Located on the edge of the Cotswolds, Heythrop Park is perfectly positioned for exploring one of England’s most picturesque regions. Nearby attractions include:

• The market towns of Chipping Norton and Burford
• Blenheim Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Traditional Cotswold villages including Stow-on-the-Wold and Bourton-on-the-Water
• Countryside walking trails and gastropubs throughout the Oxfordshire hills
• Oxford city centre, approximately 12 miles away

Did You Know?

Heythrop Park itself dates back to the early 18th century and was originally designed in the Baroque style by architect Thomas Archer for the Duke of Shrewsbury. The estate later served as a Jesuit college and training centre before becoming the luxury hotel and golf resort seen today. The modern golf course was part of a wider restoration project for the historic estate landscape.