Kingsthorpe Golf Course

Kingsthorpe sits just outside Northampton and is one of those proper 18-hole courses that's been around long enough to have character but not so long that it feels stuffy. The layout winds through mature woodland, which means you'll get decent views between the trees and - if you're not careful - plenty of ways to lose a ball in the rough.

It's clearly aimed at members and regular players rather than casual walk-in golfers, so check ahead if you're planning a round. The course has that well-maintained feel that suggests the club takes itself seriously without being pretentious about it. Handicap requirements apply, so this isn't the place to turn up cold if you're a beginner.

For a family staying at Moon Valley Glamping Retreat six miles away, this works well if you've got at least one keen golfer in the group. Everyone else can explore Northampton town centre in the meantime - it's only three miles off. A round here takes the usual four hours or so, depending on how many balls you're fishing out of the woodland.

The course is free to members and guests of members. If you're not affiliated, you'll need to arrange a visitor's round through the club office beforehand. Spring and autumn are best - summer can get a bit muggy on the back nine, and winter play is possible but the course can get soft underfoot. Worth ringing ahead to confirm current rates and availability.