Saffron Walden Golf Club

You'll find yourself on a proper championship course just outside Saffron Walden, where eighteen holes wind through Essex countryside that's far more interesting than you'd expect. The club's been around since the 1890s, and it shows in the mature trees and well-maintained greens that demand respect from even experienced golfers.

The layout is challenging without being punishing. Some holes ask genuine questions about strategy, particularly around the middle stretch where water comes into play more than once. Par is 72 across 6,400 yards, so it's not a brute of a track, but length alone isn't what catches you out here - the doglegs and tight fairways do the real work.

Seriously committed golfers will get the most from a full eighteen, though the nine-hole option works if you're time-pressed or just warming up. Families with younger players should check ahead on their junior policies, as the difficulty might be steep for beginners. Allow three to four hours for a round, depending on pace of play.

It's worth ringing the club directly about membership day rates and whether you'll need to arrange a foursome or if walk-ins are welcome - that varies. Hidden Gem Glamping is only four miles away, making this a cracking option if you're based there for a longer Essex break. Pightle Farm Campsite sits even closer at under five miles, so you could easily play an evening nine after settling in.