Saunton has to be one of the finest and most convenient golf destinations in the UK. Two superb links courses lie on the shores of North Devon (and another one just along the coast) with a luxury hotel right next door and acres of golden sand stretching out to the crashing surf: what more could you want?
On the North Devon coast, around the market town of Barnstaple that sits astride the river Taw, there is a a very nice trio of links courses to be discovered.
All around, the countryside is green rolling hills dotted with small villages and rows of whitewashed cottages: just how the West Country should be!
The coastline, with its long sandy beaches is an eternal favourite of the surfing community, lending North Devon a very chilled-out ambience.
There are two outstanding, and rather testing, golf courses at Saunton Golf Club. Both of which any lover of links golf wou/ld be happy to play repeatedly. The dunes are significant in size and the Marram grasses long and tangly: when the Devon breezes a spare ball may be advisable...
Just down the road at Westward Ho! is the oldest Golf Club in England - Royal North Devon. This is a wonderful throwback to days of golfing yore, extending over exposed terrain with no trees in sight and a few amusing golfing quirks along the way.
The North Devon coast is very popular with surfers and waves of them descend onto the sands every Summer. This lends the entire area a very 'laid-back' holiday feel and supports a goodly tourist economy so the local pubs and restaurants thrive from Spring to Autumn.
The local town of Croyde is just a mile or two from the Saunton Sands hotel and there are plenty of places to eat (not just fish and chips) along its little High Street.
Elsewhere, tucked into the folds of the lush Devon hills you will find many a country pub that, like so many these days, need to offer fine food (not just pasties!) in order to make a living.
Barnstaple, the nearest big town to Saunton is well connected to the Motorway network and easy to reach from all the big West Country towns such as Bristol and Exeter. From London or the Midlands it is a quick and easy journey too (as long as one avoids the Bank Holiday traffic heading Southwest!).
The setting and the ease of access make Saunton a superb choice for a quick UK golfbreak or a longer Summer holiday, with a little golf.
