Langland Bay Golf Club

The cliffs west of Swansea drop straight down to a proper links course that feels miles from anywhere, even though you can see the city's sprawl behind you. Langland Bay Golf Club sits right on the Gower Peninsula's edge, eighteen holes threaded between gorse and coastal turf that'll punish a wayward shot and reward one that finds the fairway.

It's a members' club primarily, so you can't just rock up and play unless you've got a guest booking through someone who belongs. That said, if you're staying nearby - Oxwich Camping Park is only twenty minutes down the road - it's worth phoning ahead to see if they've got a visitor slot. The course isn't championship length but it's challenging enough for decent golfers and genuinely beautiful to walk, with the Carmarthen Bay views distracting you at every turn.

Non-golfers will find the location itself worth the drive. The bay curves below you, golden sand and red cliffs, and there's a decent café on site where you can watch players tee off while nursing a coffee. Wind up the coastal path afterwards and you've got yourself a proper morning out. Going in spring or autumn gives you the best light and fewer crowds mucking about on the fairways. Summer weekends get rammed with members.

If you're after golf while staying on the Gower, this beats the municipal courses hands down. If you're not a golfer, skip it - the viewing area's limited and you'll be standing around for hours.