Morley Hayes

Two championship courses laid out across Derbyshire farmland near Alfreton, and they've been doing something right since opening in 1995. The Old Course plays to just under 7,000 yards if you're feeling brave, whilst the newer Lakes Course offers a gentler introduction without sacrificing the challenge. Proper conditioning throughout, especially on the greens.

Golfers will spend a solid four and a half hours working round either layout. The Old Course demands respect - water comes into play on several holes and the bunkering is genuinely strategic rather than decorative. The Lakes has its own charm, particularly around holes six through nine where, yes, there are actual lakes to negotiate. If you're mid-handicap and above, you'll find enough to think about. Beginners might feel a touch stretched on the Old, though the Lakes provides kinder scoring opportunities.

There's a decent clubhouse with bar and restaurant, which helps if you're making a day of it. Visitor rates aren't budget golf, but the facilities and course conditioning justify it. Worth ringing ahead to check availability and get a sense of what day suits you best.

For caravan holidays in the area, The Firs Campsite sits five miles away and would make a sensible base. You're well-positioned for exploring the wider Derbyshire courses too - this stretch of the East Midlands has serious golf density. If you're not playing, the course itself holds little appeal, but for golfers visiting the region, Morley Hayes deserves a day of your time.