Leicestershire Golf Club

The Leicestershire Golf Club sits just outside Leicester and pulls in proper golfers who know what they're after. It's an 18-hole course that's been going since 1890, so it's got that established feel without being stuffy about it. The layout winds through parkland with enough trees and water to keep you honest, but it's not punishing for mid-range handicappers.

You'll need a handicap certificate to play here - this isn't a public pay-and-play - and you're looking at introductory rounds or membership as your route in. Allow a full four hours if you're getting the full experience, longer if the course is busy. The greens are well-maintained and the course staff know what they're doing.

Golfers will absolutely get the most from this. If you're holidaying at Fox's Furrow or Village Farm Getaway nearby, both within five miles, and you've got a decent handicap, it's worth ringing ahead to arrange a game. The area around Leicester has enough going on that you won't feel stranded if someone in your group doesn't fancy eighteen holes, but if you do, this is a proper course that respects the game.