Dibden Golf Centre

The driving range at Dibden sits just outside Southampton, sandwiched between the New Forest and the coast - handy if you've got clubs in the car and a few hours to kill. It's a proper working golf facility, not the flash sort with a clubhouse full of sofas, but that's rather the point. You get practice bays, a chipping area, and enough space to work through your swing without feeling rushed.

Golfers will appreciate the straightforward setup. Non-golfers won't find much to do, if we're being honest. It's functional rather than scenic. The nearby courses draw the serious players, so Dibden works best as a quick warm-up or a way to brush off the rust between rounds elsewhere in Hampshire.

If you're based at Matley Wood Campsite or Roundhill - both excellent stops just a few miles away - popping over for an hour before breakfast or after checkout is realistic. The practice bays clear quickly on weekday mornings. Weekends get busier, so go early if you prefer elbow room.

It's not a day out in itself. But if golf's on your agenda during a New Forest holiday, this beats driving halfway across the county to find a range. Rates and opening times vary seasonally, so ring ahead before you head over.