Earls Colne, Colchester, Essex (2 miles North of the A120 between Braintree and Colchester)

The Essex is recognised as one of the best golf clubs in the region with a fully computerised irrigation system that keeps the greens, tees and fairways in great condition all year round. The County Course is an excellent 6,958 yard, par 73 parkland course that has had a lot of praise for being a challenging, yet fair test of golf. The five par 5s providing a number of good scoring opportunities with the course's main defence being the array of strategically placed bunkers. There is always a range of shot options, allowing a route to a good score for all levels of golfer.

There is also the shorter 9 hole par 34 Garden Course which offers an altogether different challenge with water features and well guarded greens. The short but tricky par 4s and attractive par 3s present a perfect layout for beginners whilst still providing more competent golfers with a challenge. The Essex also boasts a 20 bay driving range, a learner academy centre, the latest hi-tech video teaching studio, an indoor practice bunker and award winning PGA professionals.

The 42 rooms at The Essex's lodge style hotel have larger than normal beds, superb course views and all with satellite TV. Meals are served in the Sports Brasserie which offers an excellent clubhouse-style menu. The club's leisure facilities are superb: there's a top of the range gym featuring Technogym key system equipment, three aerobics studios offering a variety of classes, an indoor swimming pool as well as a health and beauty centre, 'aura', which provides many different treatments including physiotherapy. There are also six indoor and three all weather outdoor tennis courts, a short tennis area, and a team of LTA qualified coaches at the Essex's Tennis Centre.