Every disc golfer knows the struggle. You set out with a bag full of optimism only to arrive at a course that turns out to be a few baskets plonked into a park better suited to dog walkers. Too short to be satisfying, too open to be interesting, and too vague to be worth the drive. This is why a dedicated venue like Gilly’s Disc Golf in Stratford deserves a proper review, because it shows what serious design can offer when compared to the makeshift setups many of us endure.
Disc golf everywhere shares the same growing pains. Courses often spring from good intentions but end up with patchy execution. That matters because the course you play does not just shape your round, it shapes your game. Keep throwing on bland layouts and your skills never stretch beyond the ordinary.
Gilly’s Disc Golf in Stratford upon Avon offers a different story. On private woodland, dedicated to disc golf, it provides 26 holes across several layouts. Tight fairways, a proper shop, and an owner who cares. It is not perfect, but it is serious disc golf, and that alone makes it stand out.
First Impressions
When you arrive at Gilly’s you know you are at a proper disc golf site. A car park with decent space, a small cabin shop selling discs and snacks, toilets in the corner, and the sound of chains ringing through the woods. It is not flashy, but in British disc golf terms it is positively lavish.
The woodland is dense, and that density shapes everything. Every hole is lined with trees, roots, and brambles. You quickly learn to leave your distance drivers in the bag. This is about control, not power.
Course Design
Gilly’s offers a mix of layouts. The Orange 12 caters to beginners. The White 12 is for intermediates. The Blue 12 tests advanced players. And then there is the Gold 18 hole layout, the most complete of the lot.
On paper this variety is brilliant. In practice it can be confusing, with overlapping paths and baskets creating what can feel like organised chaos. The intention is clear, but it sometimes leaves you second guessing where to head next.
The design philosophy is repetition with variation. Most holes are between 65 and 117 metres, wooded corridors that demand precise release angles. To some, that becomes samey. To others, it is the perfect training ground for shaping shots. The sameness of Gilly’s is less a design flaw and more a test of resilience. Can you thread the needle again, and again, and again? Most players can’t. Which is precisely why they come back.
One limitation is the lack of elevation. The land is flat and there is little to be done about that. But there are creative tricks that could add variety without moving mountains. An elevated basket, a raised green, or even a sloping mound here and there would give a few holes more identity. Woodland golf thrives on subtlety, and touches like that would make the course even more memorable.
Hole 7 on the Gold layout is the highlight. At 155 metres it dares you to be bold, threading a fairway that punishes both overconfidence and hesitation. Holes 14 and 16 also shine, blending distance with risk reward placement.
The biggest weakness is the tee pads. Many are little more than gravel patches or bark chips. When the ground is damp they demand as much focus as the shot itself. The baskets, by contrast, are top notch Castle Targets, catching cleanly and feeling professional.
Playing the Course
Playing Gilly’s is like a crash course in patience. My round on the White 12 began with a seemingly simple 70 metre straight shot. By the time I reached the basket I had already bounced off three trees. By hole 4, a short 65 metre line, I was convinced the forest had developed a sense of humour at my expense.
And yet this is what makes it memorable. The fairways are tight but rarely unfair. Shots that hold their line are rewarded. Wild heaves are punished without mercy. It is not throw and hope golf. It is woodland chess, and it forces you to concentrate on every detail of your form.
Seasonality adds another layer. In summer, brambles creep close to the fairways and a spotter is a wise choice. In winter, slick footing turns every drive into a balancing act. Boots are essential whatever the time of year. Despite this, the course flows well, and the variety in length and angle keeps you engaged even when the trees win more battles than you do.
Players talk about the repetition, the occasional confusion between layouts, and the need for stronger tee pads. But they also talk about the tranquillity, the sense of being tucked away in a woodland sanctuary, and the effort put in by the owner. That combination of toughness and charm is what gives Gilly’s its character.
Key Features and Amenities
- Multiple layouts catering to different skill levels
- Dense woodland setting offering technical challenges
- On site shop with discs, drinks, and snacks
- Toilets including disabled access
- Drinking water available
- Castle Targets baskets
- Private land with good parking
- No dogs allowed, but stroller and cart friendly
Getting There
Gilly’s Disc Golf is just outside Stratford upon Avon. The nearest train station is Stratford upon Avon, about three miles away. From there a taxi is the simplest option, though local buses reach the surrounding villages.
Birmingham Airport is around 30 miles away. With a hire car you could land, play the Gold 18 in two hours, and still be back in time for a flight. For international visitors that makes it one of the most accessible disc golf courses in England.
It is also only a 20 minute drive from Quarry Park Disc Golf Course, meaning you can comfortably play both in a single day. For anyone travelling to the region, that pairing alone makes the trip worthwhile.
Nearby Attractions
Being in Stratford means plenty to do before or after a round. You can visit Shakespeare’s birthplace, catch a performance at the Royal Shakespeare Company, or simply head to one of the riverside pubs. The Dirty Duck is a favourite for post round pints, though a café tea and slice of cake works just as well after a three hour battle with the trees.
Conclusion
Gilly’s Disc Golf is not the finished article. Tee pads need upgrading, signage could be clearer, and the repetitive nature of wooded corridors can frustrate. But dismissing it misses the point.
This course is a rare thing in British disc golf. Dedicated land, thoughtful design, and an atmosphere that makes you want to come back. It does not flatter you. It makes you earn every birdie and tests your patience with every bogey. That is exactly why it works.
And perhaps the real takeaway is this. In disc golf, as in life, it is the awkward, stubborn obstacles that make the victories taste sweeter. Gilly’s will not flatter you, but it will make you better. And that, ultimately, is why it is worth the trip.
