Southport & Birkdale Sports Club

Golf obsessives will recognise the name immediately. Southport & Birkdale has hosted the Open Championship multiple times and regularly stages major amateur tournaments - it's one of those clubs that actually matters in the sport's calendar. The course itself is a proper links layout, the kind that demands respect and punishes sloppy shots with thick rough and well-placed bunkers. Visiting non-members won't simply wander round - you'll need to arrange things in advance through their website, and it's worth knowing that day visits aren't the norm here. This is a members' club first and foremost. That said, if you're a serious golfer with the right contacts or a genuine interest in championship golf, it's worth investigating what options exist. The course sits just outside Southport town centre, making it accessible if you're based at the nearby Southport Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite, though that's probably a 20-minute walk or short drive away. For families not bothered about golf, honestly, this won't hold your attention. If you're a keen player keen to walk a course with real pedigree, ring ahead and see what they can offer. Casual visitors won't find much here, but the architecture of a true championship links is something to appreciate even from a distance.