Play golf in England’s County Kent, one of England’s top golfing destinations that offers outstanding golf courses, a wide range of golfing accommodation and a rich variety of off-course attractions.

The ‘Garden of England’ possesses a long tradition and history of golf that dates back to over a century ago and boasts over 100 courses, including three Open Championship venues. Kent’s courses are all conveniently located within easy reach of London and its international airports and effortlessly accessed from Europe via Eurotunnel, Eurostar and the port of Dover.

After all the ‘Garden of England’ has a golfing pedigree that goes back over 100 years and boasts a trio of Open Championship venues, traditional links layouts and some notable lowland and parkland courses that make it one of England’s most attractive and diverse golfing destinations,” commented Cheryl Parker, Head of Development, Partnerships & Funding at Visit Kent.

“Moreover Kent is easily accessible from the hub of London and its transport systems, from southeast England and of course it is extremely well connected to Europe, with which the county has a huge affinity.”

Testament to the quality of its courses, Kent has hosted an incredible 17 Opens over the years, the first of which in 1894 at Royal St George’s marked the first time the prestigious major had been held outside Scotland. Since then The Open has returned to Royal St George’s 13 times whilst Royal Cinque Ports staged the global event in 1909 and 1920 and nearby Prince’s hosted it in 1932.

Littlestone and North Foreland, part of the Regal Five on the east coast, have also played their part in Kent’s rich golf history as venues for numerous Open Qualifying tournaments and various notable amateur championships.

The county is home to a host of fine inland courses such as the London Golf Club, ideally located just 40km from central London, whose two championship courses were designed by Jack Nicklaus. Testament to the quality of its International Course, the London Golf Club hosted the Volvo World Match Play in 2014 whilst the members-only course, Heritage, was the Home of the 2008 & 2009 European Open.

Hever Castle Golf Club meanwhile offers a picturesque parkland layout comprising of 27 holes that is laid out in the mature grounds of the Hever Estate that is clothed in ancient history and royal associations. Conveniently located close to London, Hever also offers excellent accommodation in the Astor Wing of Hever Castle itself.

Kent also offers a host of hidden gems, such as the Tudor Park Marriott golf course designed by Donald Steel and laid out in an ancient deer park, as well as numerous less testing courses set in glorious, undulating countryside that can be enjoyed by golfers of all levels and families looking to play together with the perfect examples of these being the Pentland courses of Boughton and Etchinghill and Lullingstone Park near Sevenoaks.

Complementing the golf, the county houses a range of good quality accommodations from boutique hotels to coaching inns that are perfect for traveling golfers whilst also offering a plethora of cultural and historical attractions from cathedrals to castles, gardens to stately homes, beaches to coastal walks.

Traditionally known for Dover Sole and Whitstable Oysters, the ‘Garden of England’ is also fast developing a name for itself as a gastronomic destination to go with its long-standing tradition of producing local ales – Shepherd Neame is England’s oldest brewer – and its growing reputation as a producer of fine wines.

Weekend breaks and longer golf tours from two to six days can easily be booked directly through the website or tailored to suit individual requirements.