Elfordleigh Hotel Golf & Country Club

The golf course at Elfordleigh sprawls across proper Devon countryside just outside Plymouth, and it's the sort of place where you can spend a solid morning without seeing another soul if you time it right. Eighteen holes wind through mature trees and open fairways - nothing too brutal, but it demands respect. The clubhouse has that slightly worn-in feel of a place that's been hosting golfers for decades, which it has.

It's really only worth your time if you're a golfer, frankly. Non-players will find the restaurant and bar serviceable but nothing remarkable. Book in advance if you want to play - it's not a pay-as-you-go sort of spot. Allow a good four and a half hours for a round, longer if you're not quick off the tee.

For a golf holiday centred near Plymouth, this slots in nicely alongside a stay at Hidden Hill Devon, the glamping site just over six miles away. You could knock a round here in the morning and be back for a hot tub by late afternoon, which isn't a bad way to pass a couple of days. The course itself feels removed from the city despite being close enough - there's genuine quiet here, which is rarer than it should be round Plymouth these days.

Check their website for green fees and membership options before you go. It's a competent, honest 18-holer rather than a showpiece, but that's often exactly what you want.