Rye Hill Golf Club

Golf courses in the Cotswolds tend to blend seamlessly into the landscape, and Rye Hill near Banbury does exactly that. This is proper parkland golf - 18 holes that wind through gentle countryside without ever feeling showy or overly manicured. The course sits well above the town, which means views across the valley on a clear day, and decent drainage even when the weather's been ropey.

It's worth knowing upfront that this is a members' club primarily, though visitors can usually get a round if you're affiliated with another club or willing to pay green fees. Ring ahead first - the club can be particular about who plays. Allow a full afternoon if you do get on; it's not a tricky layout but it's long enough that you won't rush it.

For golfers staying at Newton Grove just down the road, it's handy enough to fit into a holiday without eating up hours of travel time. Cotswold Hills Country Park is slightly further out but still manageable if you're basing yourselves in the area. The course itself won't blow your mind if you've played anything in Scotland or the South Coast, but it's a solid day out if you're mid-handicap and don't need championship-standard conditions. Non-golfers in your party will find Banbury town centre worth an hour or so - proper market town with decent pubs - but there's not much entertainment immediately around the course itself.