Royal North Devon: 2026 Access and Booking Update
Royal North Devon at Westward Ho! is the oldest links course in England, an Old Tom Morris layout that still plays over its original ground on the wild common of Northam Burrows. Here is where the club stands in 2026, how visitor access works, and how to play it.
The news: England's original links, unchanged in spirit
Royal North Devon Golf Club was founded in 1864 and granted Royal status soon after, making it the oldest golf club in England and the oldest links course outside Scotland. It heads into 2026 with that distinction firmly in place, still playing over the same fairways on the Northam Burrows common near the village of Westward Ho!.
Part of what makes the club extraordinary is how little has changed. The course was laid out with the involvement of Old Tom Morris, and it remains a raw, natural links where grazing animals share the common and the great sea rush, a fearsome border of giant reeds, frames several holes. For 2026 it is a living museum that still plays as a genuine test.
The course itself
The championship links plays as a par 72 of around 7,085 yards, an open, exposed layout over flat common land where the wind off the Atlantic is the chief defence. The ground is firm and fast, the bunkering and sleepered hazards are old school, and the famous sea rush punishes anything wild, so position and ball flight control matter more than power.
There is nothing manufactured here, and that is the point. The Burrows are common land, so the course works around public access and livestock, giving it an atmosphere unlike any other championship links. The history, the Old Tom Morris pedigree and the elemental nature of the round together make Royal North Devon a bucket list links for traditionalists.
How to play it in 2026
Royal North Devon is welcoming to visitors, which sets it apart from some clubs of similar standing, so the practical points for 2026 are straightforward. Book a tee time in advance, especially in summer, be ready to provide a handicap, and allow time for the drive into north Devon, as the club sits off the A39 west of Barnstaple.
On timing, the links is playable year round thanks to its free draining ground, but late spring through early autumn offers the warmest and driest conditions, while the wind is a constant companion in any season. Green fees should be treated as indicative for the 2026 season and confirmed directly with the club before booking, as rates change season to season.
Our take
Our take is that Royal North Devon is essential for anyone who loves the roots of the game, a links that has barely changed in more than a century and a half and still plays over its original ground. It is not the most polished course you will play, and that rawness is exactly the reward.
If you are building a 2026 west country trip, anchor it with Westward Ho! and pair it with the other links and parkland of the south west coast. Book ahead, carry your handicap details, pack for wind in any season, and treat the round as a pilgrimage to where English golf began.
Plan your west country golf trip
From the oldest links in England at Westward Ho! to a full south west coast itinerary, tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge builds and costs the trip, with no obligation.
Questions
Can visitors play Royal North Devon?
Yes. Royal North Devon is welcoming to visitors, which sets it apart from some clubs of similar standing. Book a tee time in advance, especially in summer, be ready to provide a handicap, and allow time for the drive into north Devon off the A39 west of Barnstaple.
Why is Royal North Devon special?
Founded in 1864, Royal North Devon is the oldest golf club in England and the oldest links course outside Scotland, still playing over its original fairways on Northam Burrows. The Old Tom Morris linked layout is a par 72 of around 7,085 yards, framed in places by the famous sea rush reeds.
When should I play Royal North Devon?
The free draining links is playable year round, but late spring through early autumn offers the warmest and driest conditions. Wind is a constant in any season, so book ahead and confirm green fees directly with the club before booking.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course, season and access details verified June 2026 from club and golf travel sources; conditions and green fees change, so always confirm directly before booking. Last reviewed June 2026.