Melton Mowbray Golf Club

The 18-hole course at Melton Mowbray sits on proper rolling Leicestershire countryside just outside town - the kind of parkland layout that rewards a decent swing but won't punish you for the odd wayward shot. It's a members' club primarily, though day visitors can usually arrange a round through the pro shop if you ring ahead and have the right handicap certificate.

The course itself is well-maintained and relatively forgiving by championship standards. You're looking at a par 70 across around 6,500 yards depending on your tees, with enough water hazards and bunkers to keep things interesting without becoming a slog. The back nine moves through some genuinely pretty terrain - there's a decent stretch where you're threading between trees with proper views across the Vale of Belvoir. Nothing revolutionary, but it's the kind of course golfers actually enjoy playing rather than just enduring.

If you're staying at any of the nearby parks - The Grange Camping just four miles away, or Eye Kettleby Lakes if you prefer something more facility-heavy - you could slot a round in easily enough. Melton Mowbray itself is famous for pork pies, so the town's worth a wander afterwards. Allow around four to four and a half hours for eighteen holes with a reasonable pace of play. Check the website for visitor rates and booking procedures - they're usually accommodating if you're not a complete beginner.