Northallerton Squash Club

The Northallerton Squash Club sits in the market town of Northallerton, a functional sort of place in North Yorkshire where people actually play the sport rather than just talk about it. If you're a serious squash player - or someone who wants to get serious about it - this is where you'll find proper courts and players who know what they're doing.

It's a membership-based venue, so you can't just rock up and expect a game. That said, if you play regularly, the club offers courts at reasonable rates and a proper community of players who actually turn up. The atmosphere is no-nonsense - this isn't a fancy leisure complex with a juice bar, it's a place where squash matters. You'll spend 45 minutes on court, maybe an hour if you're getting coaching.

For families staying at Cote Ghyll or Pembroke just down the road, it's useful if you've got a squash-mad teenager or partner who can't go a week without court time. The other holiday parks - Kiplin Country Park and the rest - are all within six miles, so it's genuinely accessible. But be honest: this works only if squash is your thing. If you're hoping for a casual introduction to the sport, you'll need to ring ahead and ask about beginners' sessions.

Worth the drive? Only if you're committed.