Northamptonshire County Golf Course

The course sits just outside Northampton and pulls in golfers from across the Midlands - some regulars who've been playing the same fairways for decades. It's an 18-hole members' club that takes its golf seriously, with well-maintained greens and a solid par 71 layout that doesn't mess about. You'll need to be a member or arrange a guest round through someone who is, which is standard for courses of this calibre.

What you get is proper golf without the resort frills. The holes flow well, there's enough challenge to keep experienced players engaged without being punitive, and the routing means you're not constantly walking into the wind. Allow a full four hours minimum, more if you're playing at a weekend when it gets busier.

This appeals to serious golfers rather than beginners or families after a casual knock. If you're staying at one of the nearby glamping spots - Steepleton Lodge or Moon Valley are both excellent - and you've got your handicap sorted, ringing ahead to arrange a visitor round is absolutely worth doing. Northants Caravan Site is closer at five miles if you prefer traditional caravan holidays.

The real value here is in the course itself. It's not famous enough to warrant a pilgrimage on its own, but if golf is your thing and you're already in Northamptonshire, it's a solid day out. The surrounding area is pleasant rather than dramatic, so plan it as part of a broader trip rather than the main event.