The Golf Club at Potters Resorts Five Lakes
Maldon
The Golf Club at Potters Resorts Five Lakes offers a scenic 18-hole championship course in the Essex countryside, positioned between Maldon and Colchester near Tolleshunt Knights. More than £1 million has recently been invested in the golf course and facilities, making Five Lakes an attractive option for visitors as well as guests staying at the adjoining adults-only Potters Resort.
The main Lakes Course was designed by former European Tour star Neil Coles and plays to a par of 72. It stretches to 6,734 yards from the Gold tees, with Silver tees at 6,267 yards and Bronze tees at 5,725 yards. Gentle undulations make the course relatively comfortable to walk, but that should not be confused with an easy round. Lakes, well-positioned bunkers, mature trees and hedgerows regularly influence both tee shots and approaches.
As the name suggests, water is a major part of the experience, with the lakes adding both scenery and strategic decisions throughout the round. Longer holes reward a confident drive, while accurate approaches become particularly important around the well-defended greens. The course has previously hosted the Nick Faldo Challenge and regional PGA events, demonstrating its ability to provide a strong test for better golfers while remaining enjoyable from the forward tees.
Recent investment has also added a new golfers' bar, changing rooms and Pro Shop, creating a much improved pre- and post-round experience. Visitors can book green fees independently, while guests staying at Potters Resorts Five Lakes can add a round to their fully inclusive break. There is also a nine-hole par-three course at the resort, ideal for an additional game or some short-game practice.
We recommend Five Lakes for mixed-handicap groups looking for an accessible Essex golf break with accommodation and extensive resort facilities on the doorstep.
London Stansted Airport
40km
England’s best golf tour operator 2026 winner
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Time Zone:
GMT+0
Currency:
£ (British Pound)
Temperature:
1°C - 22°C
Cost of a Beer:
£5.00
Cost of a 3-Course Meal:
£65
Hashtag Guide
About The Area
Wickford is a practical Essex base for a relaxed UK golf break, especially for golfers who want easy access to Southend, Chelmsford, Basildon, Billericay and the wider Essex countryside. It is not a resort-style destination, but it works well for a low-fuss golf weekend or society trip, with Southend Airport close by and Stansted useful for wider flight choice.
For golf, Wickford is best used as a base for nearby Essex courses rather than one headline course in the town itself. Stock Brook Manor Golf & Country Club near Billericay is one of the stronger local options, with 27 holes set in Essex countryside and a main championship layout of around 6,950 yards.
Another good option is The Burstead Golf Club in nearby Little Burstead, a parkland course designed by Patrick Tallack in 1993, set around the source of the River Crouch with rolling fields, woodland, hedgerows and water features. For more variety, Three Rivers Golf & Country Club at Cold Norton offers 36 holes across two courses, plus bar, restaurant, gym and countryside views over more than 300 acres.
Away from the fairways, Wickford has simple local appeal: parks, walks, nearby Battlesbridge, Barleylands, Basildon, Southend-on-Sea and countryside routes around the River Crouch area. Visit Essex also lists walking around Battlesbridge, including an 11.5-mile Saffron Trail route between Chelmsford and Battlesbridge, giving the area a useful outdoorsy add-on.
For Hashtag Golf Travel customers, Wickford works best as an Essex golf weekend, a society base, or a practical stop for playing courses around Billericay, Chelmsford, Maldon and Southend. It is not flashy, but for airport access, good nearby golf and easy South Essex travel, it does the job neatly.
