Essington Golf Course

Just outside Stafford, Essington Golf Course is a proper working course that doesn't pretend to be anything flashy - it's an 18-hole layout designed for serious players and casual hackers alike. The course itself sits on decent terrain with enough variation to keep you engaged across the round, and the staff know their business without being stuffy about it.

This is absolutely a golfers' destination, not something to drag along if you're not interested in the game. But if you've got a week in the area and want to play a few rounds without traveling hours, it's well positioned near Stafford and worth booking ahead. Allow four-and-a-half hours for a full round, or slightly less if you're playing in a smaller group.

The main draw is that it's accessible without being municipal - you get a proper golfing experience without the tourist premium. Families with non-golfing members might find Pillaton Hall Farm nearby more worthwhile for a holiday base, especially if there are kids who'd rather not spend their afternoon watching you chip out of a bunker. But if everyone's keen on golf, staying at Pillaton Hall and playing a round or two here makes for a solid break in Staffordshire.

You'll want to ring ahead to check current membership requirements and green fees - these things change - but it's the sort of place where a day visit is normally possible if you book properly.