Thurlestone Hotel Golf Course

The golf course at Thurlestone Hotel sits on proper Devon clifftop, perched above the village between Kingsbridge and the South Hams coast. It's an 18-hole par-70 layout that commands views across Start Bay - the kind of backdrop that makes even a dodgy swing feel slightly more dignified.

You don't need to be staying at the hotel to play here, though green fees aren't cheap. The course itself is well-maintained, nothing fancy or championship-standard, but it's the setting that justifies the trip. Wind can be brutal on exposed holes, and the greens are trickier than they look from the tee. Reckon on four to four and a half hours for a round.

Golfers will get genuine value out of it - walkers less so, unless you're content watching from the clubhouse with a pint. The hotel itself has a restaurant and bar if you want to make a day of it. Peak season books solid months ahead, so ring ahead rather than turning up hoping.

If you're camping nearby - South Devon Camping at Lower Terawhiti Farm is barely half a mile away, or Karrageen just up the road at 2.4 miles - the course makes a solid day out. Fine coastal golf, though it'll cost you. Worth it if you're a proper golfer; bit steep if you're just having a casual swing.