Botanic Garden

The Botanic Garden sits just outside Durham, offering a proper dose of greenery without the pretension you'd find at some of the grander estates. Walking through the gates, you're met with serious plant collections - tropical glasshouses, herbaceous borders, and woodland walks that actually feel like walks rather than three-lap loops round a garden centre.

It's the kind of place that rewards slow wandering. Families with young children will find enough space to let them run about, though it's not screaming toddler-friendly with rides or play areas. Plant enthusiasts and serious gardeners will spend hours identifying specimens and noting what actually thrives in the Durham climate. Walkers appreciate the interlink with surrounding countryside paths.

The gardens work brilliantly as a half-day addition to a park holiday at any of the nearby sites - Grove Farm CAMC is barely three miles away, making it a gentle morning visit before decamping back for lunch. Finchale Abbey is also close by if you're combining garden time with historical interest.

Access details are a bit fuzzy - the website appears offline and opening hours aren't readily advertised - so ringing ahead from your caravan is wise before you commit. Parking is straightforward, and it's the sort of place that costs a fiver or nothing depending on the season. Allow two to three hours to avoid rushing, particularly if you're keen on the glasshouses.