Bloxwich Golf Course

Bloxwich Golf Course sits on the outskirts of Rugeley, a proper 18-hole setup that's been going for decades. It's the sort of place where you'll see everything from serious golfers working on their handicaps to groups just out for a decent day on the course. The layout runs through decent parkland - nothing spectacularly dramatic, but honest golf with some water hazards to keep you honest and enough trees to punish a wayward shot.

Non-members can usually get a round in, though it's worth ringing ahead first to check they've got space and what the green fees are. You're looking at a good four hours minimum if you're playing properly, maybe three and a half if you're quick about it. The course isn't outrageously tricky - a solid mid-range handicap challenge rather than a brutal test - which makes it accessible without being a pitch-and-putt.

For a family holiday based at Pillaton Hall Farm six miles away, it's a useful option if you've got golfers in the group who need a few hours on their own. Partners could easily potter around nearby Rugeley's town centre in that time. Fair warning: it's not a destination course that'll have you raving about the views or the routing. But if you're a golfer and you're in the area, it's a solid day out that deserves its place on your list.