Oak Mead Family Golf (Pitch & Putt)

The driving range and pitch and putt setup at Oak Mead is exactly what it says on the tin - nothing fancy, but genuinely useful if you've got a family staying nearby in Sidmouth and someone fancies a few holes without the commitment of a full 18.

It's nine holes of straightforward short golf, the kind of thing that keeps a mixed-ability group occupied for about an hour without anyone getting frustrated. Kids can actually score decent points here, which matters. The greens are maintained well enough, and there's a practice range if you want to shake off the rust before tackling the course itself.

Who gets the most from it? Families with children aged five upwards, really. It's low-pressure enough that teenagers won't feel patronised, and adults can take it seriously or not depending on mood. Golfers who live locally use it for quick weekday rounds; tourists use it as a break from the beach.

You're only three or four miles from Beer Head Holiday Park, so it slots nicely into a Devon coast week if the weather turns gloomy. Not a destination in itself - I wouldn't drive across the county for it - but if you're already in the area and someone in your group mentions wanting to hit a ball, it does the job. Sidmouth's close by for fish and chips afterwards.