Canterbury Golf Club

Canterbury Golf Club sits just outside the cathedral city, a proper 18-hole course that draws both serious golfers and casual players looking for a decent round in Kent. The layout is genuinely testing without being punishing - tree-lined fairways, a few water hazards, and greens that demand respect rather than a tour pro's swing.

You'll need to be a member or arrive as a guest to play here, so it's not the sort of place you can just roll up to on a whim. That said, if you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Dog & Duck Leisure Park is only 6.4 miles away and gets solid reviews - it's worth ringing ahead to see if they can accommodate you. The club has that solid, no-nonsense feel that characterises many English provincial golf courses: decent clubhouse, reasonable greens fees for guests, and staff who actually know what they're doing.

Allow a full morning or afternoon for your round, plus an hour either side if you want breakfast or a pint after. Summer weekends get busy, so booking ahead is essential. Golfers will find it rewarding; non-golfers in your party might prefer a wander through Canterbury itself, which is a short drive away and infinitely more interesting if you're not swinging a club. It's a solid choice if your holiday revolves around golf rather than the park itself.