Bovey Castle Golf Course

Bovey Castle Golf Course sits on the edge of Dartmoor, about twenty minutes from Exeter, and it's the sort of place that makes golfers sit up and take notice. The course itself winds through moorland and woodland with views that stretch properly far, especially on a clear day. Eighteen holes of genuine quality, with enough challenge to keep handicap golfers interested without being outright brutal.

It's not a municipal pitch-and-putt - this is a proper members' club, though visitors can play if they arrange it in advance. You'll want a decent handicap and ideally a booking well ahead. The setting alone makes the walk between holes rewarding; you're out on the moor rather than cooped up on some flat parkland course near a dual carriageway.

For keen golfers planning a week around Exeter, this makes sense as part of the mix - a solid day out rather than the whole holiday. Non-golfers might find themselves kicking their heels at the clubhouse, mind you. Woodland Springs and Barley Meadow are both within five miles if you're basing yourself at a touring park, making it easy enough to slip away for a round without a huge drive.

Allow a full day with club hire, lunch, and the round itself. Summer weekdays tend to be quieter than weekends. Weather on the moor can turn quickly, so bring layers even when Exeter's mild.