Cheapest Times to Play Lullingstone Park

Lullingstone Park is a public pay-and-play course in the Darenth Valley near Chelsfield, around half an hour from central London via the M25 and A20. You do not need to be a member to play, and because the green fee changes with the day, the time and the season, two golfers can pay very different prices for the same round. This guide is for the visitor who wants the most golf for the least money: where the savings sit, when to go, and the small decisions that knock the cost down without spoiling the round.

The three levers that change what you pay

Almost all the price difference at a pay-and-play course like Lullingstone comes down to three choices. Get all three working for you and a round can cost noticeably less than a weekend morning fourball:

• The day: midweek, Monday to Friday, is cheaper than weekends and bank holidays.
• The time: off-peak and twilight slots cost less than the busy weekend mornings.
• The course: the 9-hole Valley course is cheaper than the 18-hole championship round.

Lullingstone Park sets its fees by day and time and does not publish a single fixed figure that stays put all year, so the sensible move is to read the levers below, then confirm the current price on the Green Fees page or by phone before you commit. The course is operated by Everyone Golf, which lists the current rates and any seasonal offers.

Twilight: the value golfer's favourite slot

Twilight is the classic way to play cheaper. Lullingstone Park runs a reduced twilight green fee for the later part of the day, and it is one of the best-value tickets on the sheet. You pay less, the course is usually quieter, and on a long summer evening you can still get a full round in. The trade-off is daylight. The twilight start time moves through the year because the sun sets so much earlier in autumn and winter, so the time that gives you a comfortable 18 holes in July will only leave room for 9 in November.

Because the exact start time and price shift with the season, the one reliable thing to do is ask. Ring the pro shop on 01959 533793 and ask two questions: what time does twilight start today, and is there enough daylight left to finish the round you want. If 18 holes will be a stretch, take the twilight rate on the 9-hole Valley course instead and you still come out ahead on price.

Midweek versus weekend

If your diary is flexible, the single easiest saving is simply to play on a weekday. Midweek green fees are lower than weekend and bank holiday rates, and the course is much quieter, so you get a cheaper round and a better pace of play in the same move. Weekend mornings are the busiest and the priciest part of the week, and they fill first.

• Midweek mornings and afternoons are the cheapest regular slots and have the widest choice of tee times. Best for first-timers and anyone who wants an unhurried round.
• Weekend mornings carry the top rate and need booking ahead. If you can only play at the weekend, a later or twilight slot still trims the cost.
• Bank holidays are priced like weekends, so do not assume a Monday off is a midweek bargain.

Retired golfers and shift workers have the easiest job here: a Tuesday or Wednesday round at Lullingstone is about as cheap and as relaxed as parkland golf this close to London gets. For the full layout of each round, see the 18-hole championship course and the 9-hole Valley course.

When the 9-hole Valley course is the smart buy

The cheapest way to get out on the grass at Lullingstone is the 9-hole Valley course. It costs less than the 18-hole championship round, plays in roughly half the time, and you can often go out without booking far ahead. It is not a lesser experience, it is a different one, and for a lot of visitors it is the better-value choice rather than a compromise.

The Valley course earns its keep in a few clear situations:

• You are short on time and only have a couple of hours before work, family or the drive home.
• You are bringing a beginner or a junior who will get more out of 9 friendly holes than 18 demanding ones.
• It is late in the day and there is not enough light left for the full course, so a twilight 9 is the sensible call.
• You are on a tight budget and want a proper round on a real course without the championship fee.

If you have got an hour spare and a group of mixed abilities, the pitch and putt and the driving range are cheaper still and keep everyone playing while you wait for a tee slot.

Winter rates and the off-season

Out of season, golf gets cheaper. Many courses run lower winter green fees once the clocks change and the ground softens, and Lullingstone adjusts its rates and twilight times through the year. The catch is daylight and ground conditions: winter rounds are shorter, sometimes off temporary greens or with trolley restrictions after heavy rain, so the saving comes with a few conditions attached. If you are happy to wrap up and play a crisp, quiet round on a bright winter morning, the off-season is genuinely good value and the course is at its emptiest. Ring ahead in winter to check the day's rate and whether the full course is open before you set off.

Concessions, groups and how booking affects price

As a public facility, Lullingstone Park offers reduced green fees for seniors and juniors, which stack with the midweek and twilight savings already covered. Some concession rates only apply after a set time at weekends, so check the conditions rather than assuming the senior or junior price applies to every slot. If you are organising a society or a group, ask the pro shop about group rates when you call, and give as much notice as you can so they can hold a block of consecutive tee times together.

Booking ahead does not usually cut the price by itself, but it is how you get the cheap slot in the first place. Twilight and quiet midweek times are limited, and the best-value ones go early, so the value golfer who rings ahead or books online where available is the one who actually lands the cheapest tee time rather than taking whatever is left on arrival. For the step-by-step of reserving a slot, see our guide on how to book a tee time.

A quick recap before you book

To play Lullingstone Park for the least money, stack the savings: pick a weekday, aim for an off-peak or twilight slot, and take the 9-hole Valley course if your time or budget is tight. Out of season, winter rates are cheaper still on a quiet, bright day. The one number that matters is the current green fee, so confirm it on the Green Fees page or by ringing the pro shop on 01959 533793, where you can also ask the simplest money-saving question of all: "When is your cheapest time to play this week?" Full visitor details and directions are on the Lullingstone Park Golf Course homepage.

Frequently asked questions

When is the cheapest time to play golf at Lullingstone Park?

The cheapest rounds are usually midweek, off-peak and twilight slots, away from weekend mornings. A late-afternoon twilight round and a quiet weekday tee time both tend to cost less than a Saturday or Sunday morning. Rates change with the season and with offers, so confirm the current figure on the Green Fees page or by phone on 01959 533793 when you book.

Does Lullingstone Park offer a twilight green fee?

Yes. Lullingstone Park runs a reduced twilight green fee for play later in the day, which is popular with value-minded visitors. The exact start time and price change through the year because there is less daylight in autumn and winter, so ask the pro shop on 01959 533793 when twilight starts on the day you want and what it costs.

Is it cheaper to play 9 holes on the Valley course?

Yes. The 9-hole Valley course costs less than the 18-hole championship round, so it is the cheapest way to get out on the grass at Lullingstone Park. It suits a shorter visit, a tighter budget or a first-timer who wants a gentler round, and you can often play it without booking far ahead.

Are weekday green fees cheaper than weekends?

Generally yes. Midweek green fees, Monday to Friday, are lower than weekend and bank holiday rates, and tee times are easier to get. If your schedule is flexible, a weekday round is the simplest way to pay less and play a quieter course.

Are there concession rates for seniors and juniors?

Lullingstone Park offers reduced green fees for seniors and juniors. Some concession rates apply only after a set time at weekends, so check the conditions on the Green Fees page or ask the pro shop when you book on 01959 533793.

Does booking ahead get me a cheaper green fee?

Booking ahead mainly secures the slot rather than discounting it, but it lets you target the cheapest tee times before they go. Twilight and quiet midweek slots are limited, so ringing ahead or booking online where available helps you lock in the best-value time rather than taking whatever is left on the day.