Rufford Park Golf and Country Club

Rufford Park Golf and Country Club sits just outside Newark, sprawled across grounds that feel properly removed from the everyday rush. This is a members' club primarily, though day visitors can sometimes arrange a round depending on availability - best to ring ahead and check what's on offer. The course itself winds through mature parkland with enough water hazards and strategically placed trees to keep you honest, even if your handicap suggests otherwise.

Golfers will get the most from it, obviously. The setting is pleasant rather than spectacular - the kind of place where you're more focused on your scorecard than Instagram shots. If you're staying at Center Parcs Sherwood Forest or Sherwood Castle Holiday Forest nearby, both within a couple of miles, this could be a solid morning or afternoon break from the family activities. Non-golfers won't find much here though. There's a clubhouse with basic facilities, but it's not somewhere you'd drag the kids for a day out.

The real draw is that Sherwood Forest surrounds you - the legendary home of Robin Hood and actual ancient oaks that predate most English history. Pair a round here with a walk through the forest itself or a visit to Clumber Park six miles south, and you've got a proper day shaped. Allow three to four hours for a full round. Expect to pay in the region of £40-60 for a visitor day fee, though confirmation is essential before you plan around it.