Alderley Edge Golf Club

The clubhouse sits at the top of a proper rise above Macclesfield, which immediately tells you the course itself will have views worth playing for. Alderley Edge Golf Club is an 18-hole layout that takes full advantage of the sandstone ridge it's built on - you get those rolling fairways and sight lines across the Cheshire plain that make the round feel rather special.

It's a members' club primarily, so you'll need to book ahead or go as a guest of someone already in. The course plays around 6,500 yards from the back tees, which means it's neither a beginner's pushover nor a championship monster - proper middle ground for golfers who know their way around a course. The rough can bite if you're off line, and the bunkers aren't decorative; they actually punish wayward shots.

Walkers and players after a genuine day out will get the most from it. If you're staying nearby - Sycamore Farm Caravan Site is less than a couple of miles away - this makes a solid base for a golfing break across the northwest. The club runs a restaurant and bar for members and their guests, so you can make a proper afternoon of it rather than rushing off.

Best to ring ahead and sort out arrangements. Summer months are busy, obviously, but autumn here when the light changes can be rather lovely for a round. Budget a full four hours and expect to pay the going rate for an 18-hole visitor round.