Longcliffe Golf Club

The drive out to Longcliffe takes you through proper Leicestershire countryside, rolling fields and proper golf club grandeur that somehow doesn't feel pretentious. It's a well-maintained 18-hole course sitting just outside Leicester, the kind of place where the greens are genuinely good and the fairways demand respect without being punishing.

You're looking at a solid day out if you play - figure on four hours minimum, plus a bit of time in the clubhouse before or after. The course itself is open to members and visiting golfers, so you'll need to check membership requirements or book a visitor's round in advance through their website. It's the sort of setup where a proper handicap certificate helps, but don't let that put you off ringing ahead.

This works brilliantly if you're staying at nearby Charnwood Acres and fancy breaking up the caravan holiday with a morning or afternoon round. The setting's pleasant without being dramatic - you won't get those jaw-drop moments, but the gameplay is what matters here, and it delivers that. Walkers won't find much to do, and families without golfers in tow should look elsewhere for their entertainment.

Visit when the weather's dry - wet conditions here can make it a slog rather than a pleasure. Peak season weekends get busy, so midweek is always the smarter move if you can manage it. Worth the trip if you're a keen golfer; not worth the detour if you're not.