St. Mellion International Resort

Two championship courses sit on rolling Cornish parkland just outside Callington - one of the county's proper golfing destinations. St. Mellion International Resort is genuinely well-maintained, with a Jack Nicklaus-designed Old Course that's got real teeth to it, and a newer Nicklaus Platinum course that's a touch more forgiving but no less interesting.

The grounds themselves are worth the visit even if you don't hit balls. The landscape has been shaped properly over decades, with water features, specimen trees, and enough slope to keep your eye engaged between shots. Non-golfers can walk the grounds, though it's really built for people with clubs in hand.

If you're a decent golfer, allow a full day - four hours on a course, plus the clubhouse and practice facilities. Single-figure handicappers will appreciate the Old Course's complexity; higher handicappers won't feel punished on the Platinum layout. It's not cheap, but greens fees are fairly typical for a championship venue.

Going in early September or late April tends to mean fewer tourists and better course conditioning. Summer is busy and can feel a bit firm.

For families staying at Sunnyside Eco Glamping or Woodovis Holiday Park nearby, this works best if at least one adult golfs seriously. The resort has a hotel if you want to base yourself here proper, though the local parks offer better value for a multi-activity holiday. Golfers will rate it; everyone else might find the drive from Callington not quite worth the detour.