Founded in 1888, Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club is a traditional members’ golf club set in the heart of the Ashdown Forest. One of the things that golf lovers most appreciate about playing here is that so little has changed over the club’s 130 year history. Heather, humps, hollows, pools and streams remain nature’s defence against shooting a low score. The stunning heathland layout of the Old Course is currently (2024) rated by Golf World as 35th in its top 100 courses in England.

Royal Ashdown Forest offers not one but two superb golf courses that are both entirely natural. No earth has been moved, no ponds dug nor streams diverted. The courses have been fashioned around the contours of the land with the Old Course providing spectacular views over four counties and the West snaking its way through the mature, broadleaf woodland of the Ashdown Forest.

Both of the courses have achieved national recognition by Golf World. The Old Course is ranked 29th in the country, and 67th in Great Britain & Ireland. The West Course is ranked number 1 in the country for courses measuring less than 6,000 yards. Both of our courses are also ranked in the County Top 10, 3rd and 10th respectively.

The original clubhouse was built in 1893, using local brick and clay tiles with tall distinctive chimney stacks. The views from the building, in all directions over the forest, are magnificent. The dining room is a lovely south facing room with a bay window that overlooks the Old Course; however, the best room is undoubtedly the main drawing room. This is a splendid, lofty room facing East and South, with a recently renovated balcony commanding views of the first and last holes of the Old Course where members and guests gather to watch matches conclude.

What was originally the ladies’ lounge was added in the 1920’s as a more intimate space for smaller parties, together with the men’s bar, which is now used as the club’s spike bar and is where most players congregate after a round.

The adjoining West Course clubhouse, opened in 2004, provides separate changing rooms, bar and dining room seating for up to 80 guests.

Stay in Comfort at The Birch Hotel, Accommodation in Haywards Heath

The hotel has 51 Bedrooms all designed with comfort in mind

The Birch Hotel was constructed in 1874 as a country house and still retains many of its original features including the oak-panelled lounge with fireplace and the Victorian staircase. In 1986 an extension was added to increase the number of rooms available to guests. Now our accommodation in Haywards Heath comprises of 51 bedrooms.

The Birch Hotel is ideal for business or leisure and all 51 en-suite bedrooms have free wireless internet access and flat-screen televisions. There is the Courtyard Restaurant for more formal dining and the Bar and Bistro for informal dining. The hotel has ample free car parking for hotel residents.

Booking direct always gives you the best prices

A choice of English or Continental Breakfast is available ~ this can be booked at time of reservation or as a supplement when staying

• 26-inch flat screen television
• Freeview channels and free Sky Sports Channels 1, 2 and 3
• Direct dial telephone with modem point
• Free WI-FI
• Tea and Coffee making facilities
• 25 bedrooms air-conditioned (if requested we will try to allocate one of these bedrooms, but cannot guarantee this)
• 24-hour room service
• 24-hour reception
• Electronic card door locks
• Hair dryer
• Family and disabled rooms available
• Guests at the hotel have free accessto Switch Gym, located less than a mile away in Haywards Heath.