Royal North Devon Golf Club
Barnstaple
Every golfer should experience Royal North Devon Golf Club at least once. Founded in 1864 and frequently called the Cradle of English Golf, it is England’s oldest golf course and one of the country’s purest remaining links experiences.
The course occupies approximately 170 acres of Northam Burrows, an expansive area of common land beside Westward Ho! Beach. Old Tom Morris created the original layout, with Herbert Fowler later making changes as golf equipment and championship requirements evolved. Today, the Championship Course measures 7,085 yards and plays to a par of 72, while the white tees provide a still-demanding 6,765-yard test.
Royal North Devon is golf in a wonderfully natural form. Firm fairways, rugged dunes, deep pot bunkers, thick sea rushes and constantly changing coastal winds encourage imagination rather than a single prescribed style of play. Sheep and ponies continue to graze across the common, adding to an experience that feels genuinely connected to the earliest days of English golf.
Among the memorable features is the sleeper-faced Cape bunker on the par-four fourth, followed by an exposed run of holes beside Pebble Ridge. The course then moves through flatter but strategically demanding linksland, where natural contours and the prevailing wind can transform the challenge from one day to the next. Changes to the seventh, eighth and ninth holes have helped protect the course from coastal erosion while preserving its championship par.
Royal North Devon has hosted The Amateur Championship three times and has deep connections with many of English golf’s formative figures. Horace Hutchinson learned the game here, while local caddie J. H. Taylor developed into a five-time Open Champion and one of the celebrated Great Triumvirate.
We also recommend allowing time to explore the historic clubhouse. Its museum, trophies, honours boards and collection of artefacts tell the story of Royal North Devon’s remarkable influence on the development of golf in England. Visitors are welcome, making this an essential addition to any North Devon golf holiday.
Exeter Airport
66km
England’s best golf tour operator 2026 winner
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Time Zone:
GMT+0
Currency:
£ (British Pound)
Temperature:
1°C - 22°C
Cost of a Beer:
£5.00
Cost of a 3-Course Meal:
£65
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About The Area
Umberleigh is a brilliant choice for golfers who want a peaceful North Devon golf holiday surrounded by countryside, river valleys and easy access to both coast and moorland. This is not a loud resort-style destination, and that is exactly the appeal. It suits golfers who want fresh air, scenic drives, relaxed accommodation and the chance to slow things down between rounds.
For golf, we would look closely at The Mole Resort, previously known as Highbullen, near Umberleigh. The course is set in beautiful Devon countryside with views towards Dartmoor and Exmoor, giving visiting golfers a relaxed but memorable round in a properly rural setting. It is a strong option for couples, small groups and golfers who want golf, comfort and other resort-style facilities in one place. The wider North Devon area also opens up extra golf options if you want to turn the trip into a short multi-course golf break.
Away from golf, Umberleigh works well because it places you close to some of North Devon’s best countryside days out. We would recommend RHS Garden Rosemoor for a relaxed afternoon, with formal gardens, woodland walks and seasonal displays. The Tarka Trail is another excellent option for walking or cycling, while Barnstaple, Bideford, the North Devon coast and Exmoor are all realistic additions to a longer stay.
Our tip: choose Umberleigh for a Devon golf break where the setting is just as important as the scorecard.
