Royal Birkdale Golf Club

Royal Birkdale isn't somewhere you simply turn up and walk around - this is one of England's most exclusive golf clubs, and access depends entirely on membership or a guest invitation from someone who plays here. Set just outside Southport in Lancashire, the course itself is genuinely world-class, having hosted nine Open Championships since 1954. The fairways roll through proper links terrain, the kind that demands respect and decent weather.

If you're a golfer with the right connections, brilliant - you're looking at one of the finest tests in British golf. The design rewards accuracy over distance, and the rough will punish you relentlessly. For non-players, there's honestly little point trying to access the grounds itself. You can't just pop in for a wander.

That said, Southport itself has enough going on to make a caravan holiday work. Staying at Southport Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite puts you just 1.3 miles away, so golfers can easily reach the club. The wider area gives you the seafront, decent restaurants, and access to other Lancashire attractions. Four Seasons Glamping and Riverside Holiday Park sit a bit further out at around 6 miles, useful if you want a quieter base.

Unless you're serious about golf and know a member, Royal Birkdale belongs in that category of attractions you admire from a distance rather than experience directly. Book ahead if you're planning to play, and check the website for any visitor days.