Anyone planning a golf trip to Essex has probably heard the name Stoke by Nayland. The resort’s two championship courses, Gainsborough and Constable, have long attracted players looking for a quality parkland round without the premium price tag of a top-tier links.
Courses at Stoke by Nayland: Two 18-hole parkland courses (Gainsborough and Constable, par 72 each) · Green fees (weekday): From £40–£60 per round · Green fees (weekend): From £50–£75 per round · Resort hotel rooms: 154 rooms and suites · Spa facilities: Indoor heated pool, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi · Location: Stoke by Nayland, Colchester, Essex, UK
Quick snapshot
- Weekday from £40 (Stoke by Nayland Resort official website)
- Weekend from £50 (Stoke by Nayland Resort official website)
- Discounts for hotel guests (Stoke by Nayland Resort official website)
- Buggy hire £40 (GolfNow tee time aggregator)
- Gainsborough (par 72, 6,800 yards) (Golfshake course directory)
- Constable (par 72, 6,600 yards) (Golfshake course directory)
- Both parkland style (Golfshake course directory)
- Well-bunkered greens (GolfNow tee time aggregator)
- 154 rooms (Stoke by Nayland Resort official website)
- Indoor pool, sauna, steam room (Stoke by Nayland Resort official website)
- Jacuzzi and treatment rooms (Stoke by Nayland Resort official website)
- Fine dining restaurant (Stoke by Nayland Resort official website)
- Summer Saver: 2 rounds + stay + dinner + breakfast (Stoke by Nayland Resort official website)
- Spa & Golf from £129pp (Stoke by Nayland Resort official website)
- Couples packages (Stoke by Nayland Resort official website)
- Cancellation flexibility (Stoke by Nayland Resort official website)
Eight details that matter for planning: one spread across location, course specs, pricing, and facilities.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Location | Stoke by Nayland, Colchester, Essex, CO6 4PZ, UK |
| Number of courses | 2 (Gainsborough and Constable) |
| Course length | Gainsborough: 6,800 yards; Constable: 6,600 yards |
| Green fee (weekday low season) | £40 |
| Green fee (weekend high season) | £75 |
| Rating | Top100GolfCourses.com: Gainsborough ranked inside top 200 UK courses |
| Hotel star rating | 4-star |
| Spa facilities | Indoor pool, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, treatment rooms |
How much is a round of golf at Stoke by Nayland?
Green fees by season
- Midweek (low season): from £27.50 per round (Golfshake course directory)
- Weekend (high season): from £37.50 per round (Golfshake course directory)
- Official resort pricing: golfing days from £40.50 per person (Stoke by Nayland Resort official website)
- Spring and summer rates typically 20–30% higher than winter rates
The wide gap between third‑party listings and official prices means bookers should always check both before committing. Golfshake shows £27.50 midweek, but the resort quotes from £40.50 — the difference could be membership rates or dynamic pricing.
Buggy and club hire costs
- Cart hire: £40 per round (GolfNow tee time aggregator)
- Club hire: approximately £20 per set (official site details not published)
- Walking is allowed on both courses (GolfNow)
Discounts for residents and members
- Hotel guests receive discounted green fees (specific rates not published online)
- Membership options available through the club for frequent players
The implication: the best value comes from midweek play and bundling with a hotel stay, but the lack of published member rates makes it hard to compare directly.
Bottom line: Midweek players who bundle a hotel stay get the best effective rate. The gap between third-party and official pricing means you should always compare before booking.
Is Stoke by Nayland a good golf course?
Course layout: Gainsborough vs Constable
- Gainsborough – 18 holes, par 72, 6,561 yards. Built in 1972, parkland style, known for well‑bunkered greens and year‑round playability (GolfNow)
- Constable – 18 holes, par 72, approximately 6,600 yards. Described as “truly spectacular” by Golfbreaks holiday package specialist, built into natural surroundings
- Both courses are parkland style, not links, meaning tree‑lined fairways and generous rough
Condition and maintenance
- Praised for “beautiful scenery, challenging layout, and overall excellent condition” (Golfbreaks)
- Top100GolfCourses.com includes Gainsborough in its top 200 UK course rankings (Top100GolfCourses professional course ranking)
- TripAdvisor user rating: 4.5/5 for golf (TripAdvisor user review platform)
Player ratings from TripAdvisor and Top100GolfCourses
- Top100GolfCourses review: “A well‑maintained parkland test that rewards accuracy off the tee.”
- TripAdvisor: “Lovely setting, friendly staff, greens were in great shape.”
Consistency across independent reviews suggests Stoke by Nayland delivers above‑average conditioning for a resort course in Essex. The Gainsborough ranking inside the UK top 200 gives it a clear edge over most local alternatives.
The pattern: this is a resort that puts course conditioning first, which is why it draws repeat visitors.
Who owns Stoke by Nayland golf course?
Current ownership structure
- Owned by Stoke by Nayland Resort Ltd, the company that operates the entire resort including hotel, spa, and both courses
- The management board includes senior directors from hotel and golf operations
History of the resort
- The Gainsborough course was built in 1972 on what was previously farmland (Golfshake course directory)
- The Constable course was added later, giving the resort 36 holes
- Over the decades the resort expanded to include a 4‑star hotel, spa, and conference facilities
Management board details
- Directors oversee separate divisions: hotel operations, golf course maintenance, spa, and food & beverage (Stoke by Nayland Resort official website)
The pattern: Stoke by Nayland operates as a vertically integrated resort, not a standalone golf club. This means revenue from hotel and spa subsidises course maintenance, which helps explain the consistent conditioning.
What golf breaks and packages are offered at Stoke by Nayland?
Overnight golf break deals
- Summer Saver: two rounds of golf, overnight stay, three‑course dinner, and full breakfast (Stoke by Nayland Resort official website)
- Prices start from around £129 per person for a spa‑and‑golf combination (Stoke by Nayland Resort official website)
Spa and golf combination packages
- Combine a round of golf with access to the spa facilities (indoor pool, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi)
- Couples packages available for two people, including dinner and spa treatments
Couples and weekend offers
- Weekend breaks typically include two rounds (one on each course) and evening meal
- Flexible cancellation policy (check at booking)
Package deals cut the effective green fee per round to roughly £60 including accommodation. For a couple, the per‑person cost is often lower than two separate green fees plus a dinner out — but only if you actually use the spa and dining options.
Bottom line: The Summer Saver works best for couples who plan to use the spa. Solo golfers might find better value with a midweek round alone.
What other golf courses are near Colchester?
Top‑rated nearby courses
- Colchester Golf Club – 5 miles away, 18‑hole parkland course, green fees around £30–£45 (Colchester Golf Club official website)
- Mersea Island Golf Club – 11 miles away, 9‑hole course with estuary views, £20–£30
- Five Lakes Resort – 15 miles away, three courses, similar resort style (higher prices)
Distance from Stoke by Nayland
- Stoke by Nayland is about 15 minutes’ drive from Colchester town centre
- Mersea Island is a 25‑minute drive; Colchester Golf Club is 10 minutes
Comparison of green fees
- Stoke by Nayland: £40–£75 (most expensive in the area, but offers two courses and resort facilities)
- Colchester Golf Club: £30–£45 (cheaper, but single course, no spa)
- Mersea Island: £20–£30 (budget option, shorter course)
The pattern: Stoke by Nayland commands a premium but includes resort amenities that standalone clubs cannot match. For pure value, Colchester Golf Club is the better deal if you only want 18 holes.
Upsides
- Two championship‑quality 18‑hole courses (Golfshake)
- Consistently good conditioning (Top100GolfCourses ranking)
- Wide range of packages including spa and hotel
- Friendly staff and good practice facilities
Downsides
- Green fees can be high on weekends (£50–£75)
- Not a true links experience (parkland only)
- Some user reviews mention slow play during peak times (TripAdvisor)
- Official pricing not fully transparent online
Confirmed facts and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Stoke by Nayland Resort is owned by Stoke by Nayland Resort Ltd.
- Green fees range from £40 to £75 per round depending on season and day (Stoke by Nayland Resort official website)
- Shane Lowry’s home course is Esker Hills Golf Club in Ireland, not Stoke by Nayland (Irish Golf Desk)
What’s unclear
- Exact current green fee rates for 2025 have not been published in full by the resort.
- Whether Shane Lowry owns a pub is not officially confirmed.
- Accuracy of third‑party pricing (Golfshake vs official) is uncertain — discrepancy of £13 per round.
“The Gainsborough course is a well‑maintained parkland test that rewards accuracy off the tee. A solid choice for a resort round that won’t break the bank.”
— Top100GolfCourses.com (professional course ranking)
“Lovely setting, friendly staff, greens were in great shape. The room overlooked the course — made the whole stay special.”
— TripAdvisor reviewer, June 2024 (TripAdvisor user review platform)
“We offer a laid‑back golfing day with affordable green fees and two championship courses to choose from.”
— Stoke by Nayland Resort (official website)
For the first‑time visitor to Essex, the choice is clear: book a midweek round and a spa package at Stoke by Nayland for the best value, or drive to a nearby links for a different challenge. Either way, you’ll find a resort that delivers exactly what it promises — a comfortable, well‑run golf experience with enough extras to turn a day on the course into a proper mini‑break.
thesocialgolfer.com, top100golfcourses.com, forums.golfmonthly.com, youtube.com
After a round on the Gainsborough or Constable course, players often head to the nearby historic pub for a traditional Suffolk ale and meal.
Frequently asked questions
How do I book a round of golf at Stoke by Nayland?
You can book online via the resort’s official website or through third‑party platforms like GolfNow and Golfbreaks. Phone bookings are also accepted.
Can non‑residents play golf at Stoke by Nayland?
Yes, the courses are open to non‑residents. Green fees for non‑residents are the published rack rates.
What is the dress code at Stoke by Nayland golf course?
Standard smart golf attire is required: collared shirt, tailored trousers or shorts, and golf shoes (soft spikes). Jeans and football shirts are not permitted.
Are golf buggies available for hire?
Yes, buggies cost £40 per round and can be booked in advance. Walking is also permitted (GolfNow).
Can I bring my own clubs?
Absolutely. There is no restriction on bringing your own set. Club storage is available at the pro shop.
Is the golf course open to beginners?
Yes, Stoke by Nayland welcomes players of all abilities. There is a driving range and short‑game area for practice. Beginners are advised to book off‑peak times for a more relaxed round.
Arthur Oliver Howard Fletcher is a staff writer for NationalReport.uk, covering UK national news, politics, the economy and public services. He works under Editor-in-Chief Andreas Christodoulou and UK Managing Editor Rebecca Morgan, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.