Public

Little Channels Course

Little Channels Golf Centre

Little Waltham, Essex, England
9 holesPar 322,407 yds33.4/117

About this course

Little Channels occupies gently rolling farmland near the village of Little Waltham, a few miles north of Chelmsford in Essex. The course was designed by C. K. Cotton in collaboration with Swan and opened as part of a golf center that serves both members and visitors. Cotton, a prolific architect in the mid-twentieth century, worked across England and is known for practical, playable layouts that suit their settings without dramatic earthmoving. The design at Little Channels reflects this approach, routing across modest elevation changes and incorporating natural drainage features that give the property its name. The layout presents a straightforward parkland test with tree-lined fairways and strategically placed bunkers. Water comes into play on several holes, adding variety to what is otherwise a course shaped by mature hedgerows and specimen trees typical of the Essex countryside. The terrain allows for good visibility and walking, and the design emphasizes accuracy over length, rewarding players who manage their way around rather than overpowering the course. As a golf center, Little Channels offers practice facilities alongside the course and serves a range of golfers from beginners to experienced club members. The setting remains relatively quiet and rural despite proximity to Chelmsford, and the course benefits from the well-drained soils common to this part of Essex. It represents a solid example of mid-century English golf design adapted to accessible, everyday play.

Quick facts

Location
Little Waltham, Essex, England
Access
Public
Year built
1974
Designer(s)
C. K. Cotton, Swan
Holes
9
Par
32
Length
2,407 yards
Difficulty
33.4/117

Getting there

Little Channels Golf Centre lies in the gentle farmland of rural Essex, roughly forty minutes northeast of London Stansted Airport and an hour from the heart of the capital. The drive out from London or Cambridge traces the quiet A130 corridor before peeling off into the winding lanes around Little Waltham, where hedgerows and open fields replace suburban sprawl. The final approach feels decidedly pastoral - a transition from motorway efficiency to the unhurried rhythm of the Essex countryside, where this welcoming facility sits tucked among working farms and village greens.

FAQ

Common questions about Little Channels

Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.

Little Channels was designed by C. K. Cotton and Swan.

Yes. Little Channels is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.

Par at Little Channels is 32.

Little Channels plays 2,407 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.

The slope rating at Little Channels is 117.

Little Channels is a 9-hole course.

250,000+
Course Reviews
+ 4.8
App Store

How many courses have you played?

Download Course Vaults on iOS and begin your golf legacy.

Course Vaults on three iPhones: player passport, map discovery, and course detail