Carlyon Bay

Carlyon Bay is one of the leading golf resorts in the southwest county of Cornwall. It sits on the southern coastline of the region, looking out over the bay, the beach and to the English Channel. The course and hotel both sit on the clifftops, providing glorious views, whether you’re relaxing in your room, and taking on the championship layout.

The course itself features a number of holes that run along the top of the cliffs, with the English Channel sitting below to the right side. The majority of the front nine does so, including a couple of holes on the 6,400-yard championship offering which feature a carry over the bay to the fairway. The back nine plays more like an inland parkland, giving golfers the best of both worlds. 

Just like the golf course, the Carlyon Bay Hotel & Spa also overlooks the clifftops. Each of the 86 rooms in the hotel are beautifully appointed, and come in a range of options, including Single, Standard Double and Superior Double – with many of the rooms overlooking the bay and the sea. There is also a range of Family Rooms so you can bring the little ones along, if you want... 

The Hotel & Spa features a luxurious spa facility, with saunas, steam rooms and both indoor and outdoor pools on site. A range of treatments and massages are also available for those looking to unwind after a day on the course. 

Book your trip to the Carlyon Bay Hotel with Golfbreaks here. 

Visit Carlyon Bay’s website here. 

Go back to the NCG Top 100s Homepage. 

The golf course at Carlyon Bay is one that is very unique to the United Kingdom. The majority of the front nine plays along the clifftops, akin to Sheringham in Suffolk. The championship course only pushes to 6,400 yards from the back tees, but Carlyon Bay definitely has its challenges, especially with the English Channel on your right for much of the opening couple of hours.

The bay really comes into play for the first time on the 2nd hole. It is one of the longest par 4s on the course. The longer hitters will have no issues in covering the bay, which sits on the right. The last four holes on the front side of the course are all of a similar length, with the bay coming into play again on both 6 and 9. The latter has a very wide fairway, but again, anything right of it will find itself moving towards the beach and the bay. The 10th is the last of the clifftop holes, and is a tricky par 5 – especially for those that fancy their chances with their second shots.

The course then moves inland into its parkland section for the rest of the back nine, with a couple of great par 5s in the middle. Those come at 13 and 15, with the latter being the longest hole on the property. It moves towards the railway line, which runs through the course, with the train tracks coming into play on your second or third shot, depending how brave you’re feeling.

Unlike a lot of courses, Carlyon Bay finishes with a par 3. The last measures 180 yards from the back tees, and anything to the right of the green will be in trouble. There are three bunkers next to the green, while anything missing those might well bounce off and into the shrubbery on the right side. With a good score in your hand, hitting a long iron for your final tee shot might not be what you want...

Visit Carlyon Bay Golf Club’s website here. 

Not only is the golf course special, but the award-winning hotel is too. The hotel sits perched on a clifftop above a private beach and nestled in 250 acres of secluded gardens and grounds, intertwined with the South West Coast Path. It’s especially good for families, with inter-connecting rooms among the 86 luxurious options that are on offer for guests from all walks of life.

Each of the rooms is beautifully appointed, coming with Wi-Fi, Freeview TV, tea and coffee making facilities and luxury toiletries. The Single Rooms are the smallest choice at the Carlyon Bay Hotel & Spa, with Standard, Superior and Deluxe Double Rooms all available. Each of those options then comes in either inland or sea-facing forms.

For larger groups and families, the Carlyon Bay Hotel & Spa offers great packages through the school holidays. Children under 15 get free soft drinks, lunches and ice creams, along with free, supervised childcare in the FuNzOnE on site.

An AA-Recommended Spa 

The Carlyon Bay Hotel & Spa was recommended by the AA in 2024, and for good reason. Open every day from 8am to 8pm, and with the outdoor pool open throughout the summer months as well, there is something for everyone when it comes to relaxation in St Austell. 

The spa offers an extensive range of facilities and treatments. There is a steam room, sauna and an indoor heated pool – as well as the outdoor pool. There is a wide range of treatments, including deep tissue massages, facial treatments, body wraps and aromatherapy – all of which are given by qualified therapists using luxury products.

For those looking to work out during their stay, there is also a well-equipped gym on site – with exercise bikes, cross-trainers, treadmills and free weights among the selection.

Where is Carlyon Bay?

The Carlyon Bay Hotel is situated on the southern coastline of Cornwall, just outside the town of St Austell. The hotel and golf course overlook the English Channel and Carlyon Bay Beach, while the city of Plymouth is around 40 miles to the east of the resort.

What is the nearest airport and station to Carlyon Bay?

There are two train stations – St Austell and Par – which are within just a short drive from the Carlyon Bay Resort. Both stations sit on the train line that runs between Penzance and Plymouth, with services running half-hourly throughout the day in both directions. For those flying to the region, Cornwall Airport Newquay is the closest to Carlyon Bay – around 15 miles to the northwest. Bristol Airport – the busiest airport in the southwest of England – is 150 miles away from the resort.

What golf facilities does Carlyon Bay offer?

Along with the championship golf course, Carlyon Bay is also home to a full-length driving range which sits inland from the 18-hole layout. There is also a short game area in their practice facilities, along with a putting green next to the clubhouse.

Does Carlyon Bay offer golf lessons?

There is the option to receive golf tuition at Carlyon Bay, with a team of qualified PGA professionals on hand to provide coaching and lessons, both on the practice areas and on the course.

What are the green fees at Carlyon Bay?

The price of a green fee at Carlyon Bay changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend.

For more information on current green fees at Carlyon Bay, visit their website here.

What accommodation is on offer at Carlyon Bay?

The range of accommodation at the Carlyon Bay Hotel & Spa is not just extensive, but also first-class. There are Single and Double Rooms, with the latter coming in Standard, Superior and Deluxe form. The hotel also has great options for families, along with a range of food and drinks packages for youngsters.

What other resorts are nearby?

Carlyon Bay is one of several venues on the NCG Top 100s: Golf Resorts list to sit in the southwest of England. The likes of St Mellion, Trevose and Budock Vean are all within an hour of Carlyon Bay, with Bovey Castle, The Mole, Dartmouth, and the Manor House and Ashbury all within the two-hour mark.