Budleigh Salterton Croquet Club

Budleigh Salterton Croquet Club sits on the edge of this genteel coastal town between Exmouth and the red cliffs, and it's genuinely worth a look if you've got even a passing interest in the sport. The lawns are immaculate - proper croquet, not the garden-party version - and watching players on a sunny afternoon is oddly mesmerising. The club welcomes visitors, though you'll want to ring ahead or check their website to confirm what's on and whether there are any open days.

This is absolutely a spot for adults rather than kids. Children will find half an hour of watching paint dry more thrilling. If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Ladram Bay is particularly good, just 2.7 miles away, or Haven's Devon Cliffs Resort if you want the full holiday park setup - and you fancy something low-key and a bit different, an hour watching a match here beats sitting in another seaside arcade. The town itself has decent fish and chips and a nice pebble beach if you want to combine it with a proper outing.

Don't expect a visitor centre or café. This is a working club for members and croquet enthusiasts. The real appeal is soaking up the particular atmosphere of English leisure sport done properly - striped shirts, precise mallets, and the occasional crack of ball on hoop. It's free to watch from outside the ropes, though membership enquiries are always welcome. Best on a weekday morning when it's quieter and you can actually see what's happening.