Sonning Golf Club

Sonning Golf Club sits just outside Henley-on-Thames, a proper 18-hole course that's been around since 1896. If you're a golfer staying at one of the caravan parks nearby - Henley Four Oaks, Hurley Riverside, or California Chalet - it's worth knowing about, though you'll need to be a member or have an introduction to play here. The club takes itself seriously: it's a private members' affair with a waiting list and decent standards.

The course itself is a Thames-side setting, which sounds lovely in theory. Fairways wind through mature woodland, and there's enough length to it that you're not bashing balls for an hour and calling it done. That said, if you're a high-handicapper, some of the tighter holes will test your patience more than your skill.

Not one for casual visitors. You can't just rock up and ask for a round like you might at a municipal course. If golf's your thing and you're camping nearby, your best bet is ringing ahead to check visitor policies - some clubs will allow non-members if you've got a mate who's a member, others won't budge. Worth a call to Sonning directly on the number listed on their website.

For the broader holiday crowd around Henley, this is background knowledge rather than a day-out destination. Family groups will do better exploring the river towns and walking routes in the area.