Hexham Golf Club

The course sits on high ground just outside Hexham, and on a clear day you can see right across the Tyne Valley. It's a proper test - 18 holes winding through moorland terrain with enough elevation change to keep your legs working even if your golf game doesn't.

Hexham Golf Club is for golfers, obviously, but it's the sort of place that rewards both steady hands and local knowledge. The back nine is where things get interesting, with tighter fairways and strategic bunkering that makes you think rather than just swing. Greens are well-maintained and the rough can be punishing if you're wayward.

Membership is the traditional route here, though day visitors can often get on if you've got a handicap certificate and ring ahead - check their website for the current policy. Allow a full four hours minimum. Spring and early autumn are best for avoiding crowds and getting decent conditions.

Staying at one of the nearby parks - Langley Dam Glamping especially deserves the drive with its 4.8 rating - means you've got proper golf on your doorstep without sacrificing comfort. Even non-golfers in your party won't be bored; the surrounding countryside is excellent for walking, and Hexham town itself is worth an afternoon. The course works well as part of a longer Northumberland trip rather than a standalone visit, but if you're a keen player, it's genuinely worth the detour.