Ely City Golf Club

Set just outside Ely, this 18-hole course cuts through open Cambridgeshire countryside and genuinely feels like a proper escape from the fens. The layout's straightforward - not overly tricky, but you'll need to respect the water hazards scattered across the fairways, and the wind off the open land can catch you out. It's the kind of place where you'll see the cathedral spire in the distance while you're lining up your putt.

This is very much a members' club first and foremost, though visiting golfers can usually arrange a round if you're affiliated with another club or willing to pay green fees. Ring ahead - it's essential. The course itself takes a decent three and a half to four hours to play, depending on how many times you're fishing balls out of the water.

Golfers will get the most from it. It's not championship standard, but it's well-maintained and offers enough of a challenge to keep things interesting without being brutally difficult. If you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks - Heatherbield Lodge is closest at under three miles, or Hatters Meadows at just over three - and you're keen on a round, it's worth knowing about. Ely itself is worth exploring too; the cathedral's extraordinary. Non-golfers in your group might find the market town more rewarding than watching someone hunt for a lost ball in the rough.