FootGolf on the eXe

FootGolf on the eXe is a nine-hole pitch-and-putt style course that sits along the Exe estuary near Dawlish - football meets golf, basically. You're kicking a football around a shortened golf course rather than swinging clubs, which sounds daft until you actually try it and realise how much focus it demands. The course takes about an hour to get through, maybe ninety minutes if you're taking your time or if the group ahead are being particularly leisurely.

It's decent fun for families with kids old enough to understand the concept (seven or eight upwards), though younger children might lose interest partway through. Adults tend to enjoy it more than expected - there's something oddly satisfying about sinking a tricky approach shot with your foot. The setting along the estuary is the real draw; you're getting fresh air and water views while you play, which beats a standard mini-golf parlour.

The nearest town is Dawlish, just a couple of miles away, which means you're close to the seafront if you fancy combining this with a proper beach day. Castle Brake Holiday Park and Cofton Holidays sit within three or four miles, so it's convenient if you're based at one of the larger parks in the area. Dawlish Sands and Haven Devon Cliffs are also nearby options if you're looking for a week-long base.

Worth a detour? If you've got a couple of hours to kill and the weather's reasonable, yes. Don't expect it to be the highlight of your Devon trip, but it's an odd enough activity to break up a coastal holiday itinerary.