Ferndown Golf Club

Ferndown Golf Club sits just outside Ringwood in Dorset, and it's a proper championship course that's been going since 1913. The layout runs across heathland terrain - you get that lovely mixture of tree-lined fairways and open stretches where the wind can bite if you're not careful. The course plays to a respectable length and the greens are in good nick, though they demand respect if you're not used to reading breaks.

This is strictly for golfers, obviously. If you've got a decent handicap or you're keen to test yourself against something with a bit of pedigree, it's well worth the trip from Ringwood. Visitors are welcome but you'll need to contact the club direct about green fees and whether you can book a time - worth checking their website first. Expect to need three to four hours for a full round, depending on pace of play ahead of you.

The real draw here is the quality of the course itself rather than any frills. It's not a resort destination, so don't pitch up expecting a spa or restaurant (though they likely have a clubhouse). Staying at one of the nearby parks like Oakdene Forest Park or Forest Edge - both within striking distance - makes sense if you're basing yourself in the area for a few rounds. You're also close enough to explore more of the New Forest heathland if the weather turns. Golfers staying in caravan parks locally will find this a solid day out, though non-golfers in your party will need to find their own entertainment.