OUR HISTORY
Mannings Heath Golf Club
Nestled in the beautiful Sussex countryside, Mannings Heath Golf Club has a rich history that stretches back over a century. Its story begins in 1906 with the founding of Horsham Golf Club at Broadbridge Heath, a nine-hole course praised by Open Champion James Braid for its natural beauty, dry terrain, and challenging layout.
After the First World War, the original club closed, but the love of golf in the area endured. In 1919, local landowner Jack McGaw reimagined the course on the St Leonards Estate, creating an 18-hole layout set among rolling hills and serene ponds. The course quickly became a favourite for golfers across Sussex, blending natural hazards with a sporting challenge that has stood the test of time.
With early members like F.A. Juckes and professional Len Lewis helping shape the course, Mannings Heath grew steadily while preserving its historic charm. Today, as a proud member of the Colt Association, the club continues to offer a world-class golfing experience steeped in history, tradition, and the beauty of the Sussex landscape.
GETTING TO KNOW THE STREETERS
The UK’s First Golf & Wine Estate
Relentless ambition, resilience, hard work, and above all, innovation, these are the values that define the Streeter family and the story of Mannings Heath.
Penny Streeter OBE’s journey from early struggles to building a successful recruitment empire is one of true perseverance. Her vision later turned to wine and hospitality, beginning with Benguela Cove in South Africa, now ranked among the world’s Top 100 vineyards.
In 2016, they began the transformation of Mannings Heath Golf Club into the UK’s first Golf & Wine Estate, planting vineyards alongside the historic fairways.
Today, the estate is proudly known as Leonardslee Wine Estate and Mannings Heath Golf Club, together offering championship golf, fine English sparkling wine, and unforgettable experiences. Recent clubhouse renovations have seen the addition of a boutique hotel further enhancing the estate, creating a destination that blends heritage with modern comfort, allowing visitors to stay and immerse themselves into our journey.
Together with Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens, the Streeter family has created three extraordinary wine destinations, each designed to offer unforgettable experiences and lasting memories for generations to come.