Brocket Hall Golf Club (Palmerston course): Taking their names from two former British Prime Ministers who previously lived at stately Brocket Hall, the Melbourne and Palmerston courses provide 36-holes of top-quality golf on the northern outskirts of London. The Palmerston, which opened in 2000, wends its over pleasantly undulating terrain and through mature woodland. Rare hornbeam, Scots and Corsican pine, 300 year old oak, cedars, sequoias and monkey puzzle trees are just a few of the many varieties lining the often tightish fairways. In this quintessentially English parkland setting, Donald Steel lays down the need for straight driving from the tee, as well as skilful putting on the often large and sloping greens. Good course management is also needed to stay out of the stylish (though never excessive) bunkering that flanks several fairways and guards at least one side of the majority of greens. Although water hazards, unlike on the Melbourne course, are largely absent, a curious "chalk pit" provides an unusual feature to be navigated over at the par-4 12th. Like the 3rd Viscount Palmerston himself, you will be able to enjoy the tranquillity of this "housing-free" woodland setting, although the A1(M) motorway might be heard on a few holes - a reminder that this is the 21st century and not the 19th.