Over the past 50 years or so, County Durham has become a popular tourist destination after the collapse of the coal sector in England which was the main industry in the region during the 19th century.

And there’s plenty to see. The county has a coastline on the North Sea and also contains a sizable area of the North Pennines, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 

The varied terrain means that there’s plenty on offer from a golfing perspective too. There are a total of 31 golf courses in County Durham. Combined with the abundance of accommodation in the area, it makes Durham a great place for a golf trip.

If you don’t fancy comparing all the options, you can check out our post on our favourite golf courses near Durham.

Our top pick in the area would have to be Brancepeth Castle Golf Club, a beautiful parkland course designed by Harry Colt in 1924. Set out over 6,400 yards on what was an old castle grounds, the surrounding deer park is a spectacular setting for the course. 

The quality of the course has been recognised at a local and national level with the club having played host to both the English County Championships and the English Ladies Amateur Championships.

Seaton Carfew is another course not to be missed in the area. It’s ranked in both the top 100 courses in England and the top 100 courses under £60, meaning it’s a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. 

The golf club goes against all standards. It was originally formed as a 14 hole golf course, and today contains 22 holes. Slightly unique in the world of golf, it offers a variety of playing options.

Our final pick would be Rockliffe Hall. It’s a modern layout having only opened in 2009, and it’s monstrous, reaching over 7,800 yards from the very back pegs! The course is set in 350 acres of picturesque County Durham countryside around an 18th century country house (now the hotel). 

The club has already hosted events such as the English Seniors Open, and is surely only set for bigger things as the course matures into what will become one of the very best in the country.

You can check out all of the golf courses in County Durham below.