Heydon Grange Golf & Country Club

The drive up to Heydon Grange Golf & Country Club near Royston winds through proper Cambridgeshire countryside - all rolling greens and tree-lined approaches. It's a members' club primarily, but day visitors can get a round in if you ring ahead and the course isn't hosting a competition that day.

The course itself is an 18-hole parkland layout that doesn't pretend to be championship standard, but that's rather the point. It's friendly, well-maintained, and honestly quite pleasant for a casual knock-around. The greens are fair without being punishing, and the routing gives you a decent mix of challenge. You're looking at a decent three-and-a-half hours for a full round.

It's the sort of place where golfers actually want to play rather than where they're showing off their handicap. The club has a bar and restaurant on site, which is handy for lunch or a post-round drink. Expect to pay green fees in the region of £40-60 for non-members, though you should confirm current rates before showing up.

For a golfing break in the area, this works well as a side excursion. Pightle Farm Campsite sits just 2.5 miles away, making it easy to base yourself there for a few nights and squeeze in a round. If you're not playing, honestly, there's nothing here for you - it's a working golf club, not a visitor attraction. But if you've got your clubs in the car and fancy eighteen holes in quiet countryside, it'll do the job.