Stoke by Nayland Resort Golf offers two mature 18-hole championship courses in the countryside on the Suffolk–Essex border. Named after local artists Thomas Gainsborough and John Constable, the two layouts provide contrasting rounds shaped by lakes, streams, woodland and rolling terrain. Both have also staged professional events, including European Seniors, Challenge Tour and PGA EuroPro Tour golf.

The Gainsborough Course is the more open and undulating of the pair, with four lakes bringing water regularly into the golfer’s thinking. Position from the tee is important, particularly when the ground begins to slope, while its mixture of reachable opportunities and demanding longer holes rewards sensible course management. The standout is the 10th, which the resort says has been voted one of East Anglia’s best holes by the PGA and consistently plays as one of the toughest on the course.

The Constable Course has a more wooded feel, with tree-lined fairways and natural water hazards creating a tighter, strategic challenge. The current white-tee layout measures 6,477 yards, with several holes demanding accuracy rather than sheer distance. The par-three 13th is played from an elevated tee across water, while the long finishing par three provides a demanding final test before golfers return to the clubhouse.

Practice facilities are excellent for a UK golf resort. There is a 17-bay covered driving range, putting green, short-game practice area and indoor golf simulator, alongside PGA coaching and a fully stocked Golf Shop. A fleet of 40 buggies is also available to hire.

Visitors are welcome on both courses, and there is no minimum handicap requirement, although the resort recommends a reasonable standard of golf to get the most from the championship layouts. With accommodation, restaurants, spa facilities and both first tees on site, we recommend Stoke by Nayland particularly for societies and groups wanting two different championship rounds without any daily golf transfers.