Mansfield Woodhouse Golf Course

An 18-hole parkland course just outside Mansfield, Mansfield Woodhouse offers a solid round without the pretension of a championship layout. The course winds through mature trees and open fairways - nothing fancy, but reliable golf that plays to around 6,400 yards. You'll find it appeals to club members and visiting golfers after a straightforward game rather than anything too demanding.

This isn't a destination course. It's the sort of place you'd book if you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks - Sherwood Forest Holiday Park is barely 3 miles away, and Center Parcs Sherwood Forest just over 5 miles - and fancy an afternoon out rather than another forest walk. Green fees are reasonable, and the pace of play tends to be quicker than some of the more precious setups in the county.

Allow three to four hours for your round. The clubhouse is functional rather than flash, but does the job. Weekday mornings are quietest if you want to avoid the weekend rush. It's worth checking ahead on their website or ringing direct for current rates and availability, especially if you're planning to slot it into a longer stay in the area.

For golfers staying put in Nottinghamshire, this works well alongside trips to Sherwood Forest proper or the various leisure parks dotted around. It's not the best course in the region by a long shot, but it's convenient, welcoming enough, and does what it says on the tin.