Feldon Valley Golf Club

An 18-hole course that sits comfortably in the rolling Oxfordshire countryside just outside Shipston-on-Stour. Feldon Valley Golf Club is the sort of place where you'll spend a solid four hours working your way round, whether you're a proper golfer or someone who just enjoys the walk and the views. The layout makes decent use of the landscape without feeling gimmicky - fairways roll through farmland, trees frame certain holes nicely, and there's enough variation to keep you engaged rather than bored.

It's clearly a members' club primarily, so visitors should check ahead about green fees and whether they'll need an introduction or a handicap certificate. That said, many courses in this part of England operate reciprocal arrangements if you're a member elsewhere. The real draw here is the peace of it all - you won't feel crowded, and the pace is mercifully relaxed.

This works well if you're camping nearby at Aylesmore Farm or Crofts Barn and want a day's activity that doesn't involve driving far. Shipston-on-Stour is close enough for lunch before or after, and the wider area has decent walking if golf doesn't appeal to everyone in your group. Allow a full morning or afternoon depending on how seriously you take it. If you're expecting championship-standard design or anything flashy, you'll be disappointed - but as a straightforward country course that gives a proper game of golf in pleasant surroundings, it does the job well.