Aldersey Green Golf Club

The fairways at Aldersey Green roll out across proper Cheshire countryside just outside Chester, and if you're any sort of golfer, it's absolutely worth the detour. This is a private members' club, so you'll need to arrange a game in advance - either as a guest of a member or through their visitor scheme if they run one. The course itself is well-maintained and genuinely challenging without being brutal. Eighteen holes take most people around four hours, though you can play the front nine if time's tight during a park holiday.

Who gets the most from it? Obviously golfers, but specifically those mid-range players who enjoy a course with proper character rather than a municipal par-three pitch and putt. The layout demands accuracy off the tee and rewards decent course management. Families with non-golfing members might find a couple of hours watching gets tedious, though the clubhouse usually does decent food and drink.

Staying at Manor Wood or Pitch & Canvas puts you within easy reach - both less than three miles away - so you could easily slot a round into a long weekend. The course sits between Chester and the surrounding countryside, making it a natural fit if you're basing yourself in the area for a proper break. Best to ring ahead and ask about visitor rates and availability. Green fees won't be cheap for a decent eighteen-hole course, but the condition justifies it.