Freshwater Golf Club

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks around Newport and you've got your handicap card in the glove box, Freshwater Golf Club deserves a morning or afternoon. It's a proper 18-hole course on the Isle of Wight, sitting just a mile or so from Tapnell Farm and the other holiday parks dotted round the area - close enough that you won't waste half your day driving.

The course plays across varied terrain with enough challenge to keep you honest without being punishing. It's the sort of place where you'll find decent greens and fairways that reward decent play, and the views across the island make for pleasant walking between shots even if your scorecard's getting a bit embarrassing. You'll want a handicap certificate to play - this isn't a par-3 pitch-and-putt where you can just rock up on a whim.

Timing-wise, allow a full four hours minimum for 18 holes, longer if you're in a foursome. Weekday mornings tend to be quieter than weekends. It's worth checking their website for green fees and booking in advance - courses on the Wight can fill up during school holidays.

For non-golfers staying at the holiday parks, honestly, there's not much here beyond the course itself. But if everyone in your group fancies a round and you're based nearby, the convenience factor alone makes it worth fitting in. Beats a drive across the island to find another course.