Murray's summary:

Great beaches, coastal scenery and holiday golf in the warmest corner of the United Kingdom.

Birdies:

•  Good mix of links, coastal and parkland golf

•  Statistically the best weather in the United Kingdom

Bogeys:

•  School holidays - swamped with families and caravans

•  Slow roads

Why go?

Due to its sunny disposition in the southwest corner of the British Isles, Cornwall has long been a favouritr British holiday destination with its miles of unspoilt coastline rocky caves, sandy bays and clifftop walks.

Added to this are some very good golf courses, which are sprinkled here and there, so some travelling is required to play a variety of courses.

There is plenty to see and do besides the golf and on this long thin promontory you are never far from the sea or a picture postcard Cornish fishing village.

When to go?

Spring and Autumn are the prime times to visit Cornwall.  Avoid teh height of Summer and School half-terms et cetera if you can as hordes of holidaymakers descend (often in caravans) on the county overburdening its quiet country lanes. 

Winter will be bracing with winds sweeping in off the Atlantic, although it rarely freezes down this way.

Where to stay?

For holidays with golf on-site, Trevose is an excellent choice and Bowood Park a simpler, inland alternative.

A couple of miles from Trevose, the fishing port of Padstow is a popular spot too - although maybe too popular for some since its colonisation by celebrity chef Rick Stein.

If you are happy to stay amongst the sailing fraternity, the little town of Rock directly opposite Padstow across the Camel estuary couldn't be more convenient for St. Enodoc and Roserrow (and there is a "ferry" over to Padstow).

St. Enodoc

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Murray's word

A real test of links golf from start to finish that does justice to its spectacular setting on the Camel estuary, overlooking Padstow on the far shore and the yachts clustered around the Doom Bar in between.  The fairways are like a rumpled duvet, there are big dunes, old stone walls, serious elavation changes and blind shots a plenty. The course makes the most of its fabulous setting twisting and turning around and between two hills and down to the sea.  St. Enodoc is a visual and golfing delight.  Admittedly some players do not like the number of blind shots required but they are unavoidable with the hilly terrain. The far section of the course around Bray Hill has the distinctive feature of the ancient church of St. Enodoc which provides some unique and unforgettable golfing vistas (and not a little inspiration to the poet John Betjeman).  A "must play" course.

Trevose

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Murray's Word

A course that is pure and simple links fun and the perfect place to learn how to play this format of the game in the warm Cornish sunshine. Trevose has all the attributes of links play: dunes, pot bunkers, rolling fairways and a blind shot (approach to the 4th) - but none are used to excess: from most Tees the task in hand is clear. The course runs down from the Clubhouse to a sandy cove at the back of the 4th Green, then turns inland for the rest of the course but always with the sea in view (and earshot) and always on sandy links soil. On a calm Summer's day with the ball running it's possible to score well, in Spring and Autumn with a little breeze the course is a tougher test. There is also a nine hole course of full length holes that runs out and back to Booby Bay - by no means a soft option.

Lanhydrock

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Murray's Word

A woodland course that makes the best use of the hills around the hotel, predominantly to the western side.  The holes rise and fall with the terrain but generally the holes are fairly level with the elevation changes being between Green and Tee.  Fairly tight in places and with some dog-legs to negotiate through the trees.  However the undergrowth is fairly well cleared out in most places so if you do stray from the straight and narrow you should be recoverable.  A small stream has been pooled in front of the hotel which comes into play on the first, ninth and tenth.  Plus there is a pond at the top of the course making the par-3 sixth all carry and a short hole that would grace any course.  Quite a commercial set-up that is oftentimes used for corporate and society days, plus Members at the weekends, so you may need a degree of flexibility when booking your day and time of play.

Bowood Park

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Murray's Word

A peaceful rural setting for a parkland course that will test and entertain over its hills and valleys.  The course is divided by local lanes into distinct areas and some holes that run closely together, occasionally causing a little confusion as to the direction of the next Tee, so keep your course map handy!  The course is quite hilly with most golfers favourite holes to be found on the lower section that runs through thick woodland alongside the river.  Some luxury houses have been built around the central section of the course which detract slightly from the peaceful rural setting, but in general they are far enough back form the course not to cause and serious distractions.  Enjoyable golfing in a rural setting with some variety to the holes and generally well looked after; reserve a buggy if you are concerned about climbing up and down the hillier parts.

Roserrow

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Murray's Word

A course with two very contrasting nines.  The front nine sits on top of a broad rounded hill with traditionally designed holes that are defined by bunkering and the cut of the rough.  The back nine a is very different beast as the course descends the hill (sharp drop to the tenth Green) and the layout is defined more by the twists and turns of the landscape than by the choice of the course designer.  This leads to some rather unusual holes that have been fitted around the natural land-shapes, making accuracy of paramount importance.  The Clubhouse is attached to the hotel with a small downstairs spike bar and a very good upstairs bar/restaurant, which most golfers head for after their round.  Handicap certificates are not critically important, making Roserrow very welcoming for those without one.

Newquay

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Murray's Word

A Harry Colt designed course that has been fitted into a tiny patch of land surrounded by Newquay on three sides and the surfers' paradise of Fistral beach on the remaining side.  Collectors of Colt's courses will want to tick this one off and will recognise his style of cross-bunkering on arrival.  The holes individually are all of a good standard (if they were strung along a Scottish seashore in classic links fashion it would receive rave reviews) but are compromised by being set so closely together.  In fact from the high ground you can see all 18 flags at once.  Take care when playing as there is much straying form Fairway to Fairway and golfers in view ahead of you may not necessarily be aiming in the direction that you think they should be.  Quaint turreted Clubhouse where you will receive a very warm welcome.

St. Enodoc Hotel****

Murray's Word

The St. Enodoc hotel sits right beside the course of the same name, in fact there's a back gate that leads directly to the Clubhouse.  With just sixteen bedrooms and four suites it is small hideaway hotel, with a very personal charm, in an elevated position above Rock with great views out over the Camel river to Padstow and beyond.  A modern hotel that has been decorated in subdued tones and tastefully furnished. The hotel has a secluded outdoor pool surrounded on all sodes by thick hedges.  There are two very good restaurants run by its renowned local chef Nathan Outlaw.  The Grill, open for lunch and dinner with tables both inside and out on the large decking (shared with the bar); the Restaurant is a smaller room within the hotel and serves food of a very high standard (the finest dining in town).  Prices above are for one night stays, please check their website for longer stay discounts and special offers.

Trevose****

Murray's Word

Trevose is the complete Cornish golfer's hideaway: a mixture of villas, cottages, flats and apartments surrounded by 27 holes of good links golf and rolling countryside.  There is a very sporty feel about the place with those not actively involved in playing golf indulging in tennis, swimming, walking, windsurfing... 

There is wide choice of accommodation at Trevose in addition to standard hotel rooms there are also:

Fairway Cottages - the newest and most luxurious accommodation, are perfect for small groups of six to eight.
Villas - slighlty older, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, plus full kitchens and dining rooms.
Flats - designed for two with a bedroom upstairs and kitchen/diner downstairs.

In the main Trevose building and Clubhouse you will find an outdoor pool, tennis courts, bar and restaurant.  Despite much of the accommodation being self catering there is always breakfast and a good menu available in the Clubhouse.

Metropole Hotel****

Murray's Word

A old-fashioned British seaside hotel dating from Victorian times that sits just above Padstow looking out over the town and harbour.  An hotel that has been lovingly cared for and has an appealing air of "times gone by" without any hint of mustiness.  In fact, some parts of the hotel, such as the extended dining room with its picture windows over the water, have a bright almost modern feel.  Having been constructed some years ago bedrooms are larger with higher ceilings than you would find in modern hotels; furnishings befit the character of the place, however bathrooms have been given a recent makeover.  There is a path from the back door of the hotel that leads down to the town - about a two-minute walk.

Lanhydrock Hotel***

Murray's Word

A modern golf and hotel complex completed in the late1990's that provides solid reliable accommodation with a pleasant parkland golf course outside your window.  The hotel lobby has a bright airy feel to it and this is also true of the modern bedrooms and bathrooms.  The restaurant and bar on the ground floor serves as the golf Clubhouse too so there is a strong golfing feel to the entire establishment.  Centrally located in Cornwall outside Bodmin on the edge of the moor, Lanhydrock serves as a good base for getting around most of the Cornish courses, either north to Trevose/St. Enodoc or east to St. Mellion.

Bowood Park Hotel***

Murray's Word

A straightforward country club hotel, in a quiet rural setting that has all the basic requirements with no frills. 31 rooms in two categories: Standard and Superior. The Standard rooms are compact with a fair amount of room for two; the Superior rooms are a more recent addition to the hotel and are more spacious most with small balconies overlooking the course. There is a bar/restaurant on the ground floor that serves both bar snacks and a full English dinner menu. For dining elsewhere there are a few pubs around or a trip to Rock or Padstow to find some better restaurants.

Dining out in Padstow

Padstow has a large number of didning possibilities, many of which are owned and run by teh TV chef Rick Stein, who was instrumental in re-inventing the quayside town over the last two decades.  So unsurprisingly being so close to the water fish lovers are very well catered for!

Aside from Mr. Stein's emporiums there are numerous other bars and restaurants around the square harbour that have sprung up over the years to cater for the crowds.

Dining out in Rock

Rock is a surprisingly small town for somewhere so well known, it is really street with about a dozen shops and a few pubs at most.  Everywhere is small - so make sure you book!
The best food in town is to be found at the St. Enodoc Hotel (see Hotels - Luxury) other than that try the Mariners pub with its Tides (01208 863679) restaurant upstairs.  Further down towards the beach you wil find the Rock Inn which is a very casual eatery aimed at those walking in off the beach at lunchtimes.

What to see and do

The fishing port of Padstow with its plethora of restaurants clumped around the harbour is nice for strolling and dining.  The town of Rock on the far side of the river is a tiny town with huge sandy beaches and myriad sailors darting back and forth.

All along the coast you will find delightful scenery which can be accessed by all on the Southwest Coastal Path - a fantastic walking route that encirlces the entire Cornish peninsula and beyond.  It is quite steep in places so take appropriate footwear if you are planning on walking any distance along it.

Flights

Newquay, Exeter and Bristol are the closest airports to the North Cornwall coast.  From Newquay you may be able to get around by taxis; form Exeter and Bristol a hire-car would be the sensible option given the distances involved.

Hover on a logo to see the available routes, clicking the logo below will take you directly to the airline's website to book your flights.

Hire cars

Probably the most flexible way to get around during your visit.  Both airports offer the full range of hire-car companies: Avis, Hertz, Budget, Europcar, Sixt et cetera, whose contact details are shown opposite (if you have not already been offered a hire-car by your airline when you booked your flights!).

Holiday Autos offer a 10% discount to Murray's Members off their already low rates.  Simply click on their logo opposite to be taken to their specially discounted website.

Local transport companies

If you would prefer to leave the driving to somebody else then there are a number of local travel agents who will take care of all you transfer arrangements.