Clacton-on-Sea Golf Club

Eighteen holes of proper seaside golf await just outside Clacton town centre, where the salt air and coastal breeze make every round feel like a holiday treat. The course sits close enough to the seafront that you'll catch glimpses of the water between shots, though don't expect championship-level conditioning - this is honest municipal golf at its most straightforward.

Golfers staying at nearby holiday parks like Valley Farm or Highfield Grange will find it well worth packing the clubs. The layout won't challenge scratch players, but it's perfect for families wanting a relaxed round or rusty golfers getting back into the swing of things. Course conditions can be a bit hit-and-miss depending on the season, but the views more than make up for any rough patches.

Expect to spend around three to four hours for a full round, depending on how busy it gets during peak summer months. The clubhouse offers basic refreshments and club hire if you've travelled light. Best to ring ahead during school holidays as it can get properly busy with visiting families from the surrounding caravan parks. It's the sort of place where a decent round feels like a proper achievement, and a poor one still counts as a lovely morning out by the sea.