Historic aerial photos reveal courses as they once were

Historic England have published over 40,000 aerial photos taken by the US Army Air Force in the 1940s and 50s. The photos cover many areas of England and consequently reveal some fascinating views of many of our golf courses at the time.

The collection is fully searchable and well worth a browse. You may well spot your own house on there.

The picture above is of Prestbury G.C. You can see the full image here:

Here is Wilmslow GC

Click on the above image to see it on the H.E. archive. This is an interesting picture, because the holes in the bottom of the image (3rd,4th,5th,,6th,7th) appear to be still assigned for agricultural use.

Click here to see a 1945 image of Delamere Forest

To view the collection home page, go to this: Historic England Aerial Collections

Share This Post

More To Explore

Ryan aims high

Cheshire Golf is proud to have produced many top junior golfers, boys and girls over the years and seen how they have developed their ambitions in a variety of careers in golf all over the world. Ryan Owen (pictured) had a fine junior career with Cheshire with plenty of playing

Read More »

Jane ready for busy season

The Inter Club ladies teams competitions in Cheshire are split into East and West with teams aiming to win in the four categories of Business Ladies, A, B and Plate (determined by handicaps) and reach their geographical finals and then to take on the other area winners to become county

Read More »

Prestbury manager in great charity cause

Prestbury Golf Club manager Stuart Finlay (Pictured) will be running in the London Marathon in April in aid of Marie Curie who are the title sponsor of the event in 2026. Stuart gave the reasons for him taking on this challenge; “In January 2025 our family sadly lost my mother,

Read More »

Steve ready for a busy year at Shrigley Hall

Steve Henshall (pictured) has been a member of Shrigley Hall Golf Club for nine years and their Seniors Organiser for six years. Now he is looking forward to being the Captain of the club for the next year. Steve said: “I usually try and play three times a week all

Read More »

Janet up for the job at Marple GC

Marple Golf Club Lady Captain Janet Newton (Pictured) is delighted to have been chosen for her new role at her beloved club. Janet said: “Marple Golf Club is a wonderful, friendly and inclusive club. “We have a thriving and growing Ladies Section and a top class green keeper and team who

Read More »

Hazel proud to be Lady Captain at Wonderful Wilmslow

Hazel Baker has been a member of The Wilmslow Golf Club for 32 years and is very proud to be chosen as the Lady Captain for the coming year. Hazel (Pictured) said: “The Wilmslow Golf club is a fabulous course with a lovely ladies section. I think that most of the

Read More »