Great Harwood Golf Club

Golf in Lancashire's Ribble Valley isn't all about the big championship courses - Great Harwood, just outside Clitheroe, is a proper 18-hole club that punches well above its weight. The course itself is an 18-hole parkland layout that plays tighter than it looks at first glance, with enough variety in the holes to keep you thinking all the way round.

This is a members' club primarily, so you'll need to either book as a guest or know someone, but it's worth the effort if you're a golfer. Non-members can play if they're introduced by a member or if you ring ahead - the staff are straightforward about it. The course takes about four and a half hours for a pair, maybe a touch longer if the greens are running quick.

If you're staying at Pendle View or Wigwam Holidays Ribble Valley, both within easy reach, you've landed in excellent walking and cycling territory. Great Harwood makes sense as part of a wider weekend rather than the main event. The backdrop of the Pennines is decent without being showy, and there's a proper clubhouse for post-round chat.

It's not going to thrill high handicappers looking for an ego boost, and the greens can be firm in dry spells. But for anyone who actually enjoys golf over eighteen holes with decent company? This delivers. Check their website for visitor rates and book ahead - it saves hassle and they'll know you're coming.