Chart Hills Course

Chart Hills is one of the most recognisable modern courses in Kent. Opened in 1993, it was Faldo Design’s first completed European project. The course wraps around a large stand of ancient oak woodland in gently rolling countryside, combining sweeping fairway movement, dramatic water features and strongly sculpted bunkers. Its visual identity is deliberately more dramatic than that of many older English parkland courses.

The course lies near Biddenden in the heart of the “Garden of England”. The property extends across more than 200 acres of oak woodland, lakes, meadow and gently undulating ground. The central oak wood structures the routing and creates a mixture of open and more enclosed sequences. Elevated points reveal long views across the Kent countryside, while water and shaped banks give the design a more sculptural character.

Chart Hills opened in 1993 as the first European course completed by Sir Nick Faldo’s design team. After almost three decades of play, new owners Ramac Holdings began a complete renovation in 2020. The course closed temporarily while all eighteen fairways were stripped, capped with a major layer of sand, fitted with new irrigation and reseeded. The clubhouse, shop, bar and practice facilities were also upgraded as part of the redevelopment.

Faldo set out to create eighteen clearly distinctive holes and a course that would pose different questions to players of different levels. Ancient oaks provide natural landmarks, but the architecture also uses large gestures: elongated bunkers, shaped fairways, water and complex greens. The 2020-21 redevelopment did not change that intention; it mainly improved firmness, drainage and year-round conditioning through sand capping, irrigation and agronomy.

Faldo Design lists Chart Hills at 7,119 yards, 6,510 metres and par 72. The fifth is famous for the “Anaconda”, one of the longest bunkers in Europe, while the 17th is a par three to an island green. Dramatically undulating fairways and complex putting surfaces create constantly changing lies and give each hole a distinct identity. Length, water and ground movement combine to produce a genuine championship test.

Chart Hills now combines championship golf with upgraded practice facilities, pro shop, simulator, dining and stay-and-play accommodation in The Barn. The course is regularly ranked among England’s leading modern layouts and continues to host significant events. In August 2026 it stages the English Legends on the Staysure Legends Tour, and the club also highlights its role as a Regional Qualifying venue for The Open. Tournament setup, visitor access and accommodation remain dynamic.

Opened 1993 ; first completed European Faldo Design project ; 7,119 yards / 6,510 metres ; par 72 ; “Anaconda” bunker at the 5th ; island-green 17th ; complete 2020-21 redevelopment ; host of English Legends 2026 and Open Regional Qualifying.