Harperley Camp (WW2 POW camp)

The remains of Harperley Camp sit quietly on the Durham landscape just outside Bishop Auckland, a rare survival of a Second World War prisoner-of-war facility. What you're looking at are the original barrack blocks and perimeter structures where German and Italian POWs were held during and after the war - one of the most complete camps of its kind still standing in Britain. It's not flashy. There are no gift shops or visitor centres. You're essentially walking around authentic wartime buildings, which is precisely what makes it powerful.

Historically minded visitors will find it absorbing. The layout tells its own story - the barbed wire posts, the guard towers, the separation between compound areas. You can spend an hour here or three, depending on how deep you want to go. There's something properly moving about standing in a space where thousands of men lived in enforced captivity, particularly once you start imagining the conditions and the homesickness.

The practicalities: access is free and largely unrestricted, though it's worth checking locally in Bishop Auckland before visiting. Allow at least 90 minutes if you want to explore properly. It's best visited on a clear day - the exposed moorland setting can feel bleak in wet weather, but that adds to the atmosphere rather than detracting from it. If you're staying at Bradley Burn Caravan Park or one of the cluster around Witton Castle, Harperley makes a solid morning's outing when you've had enough of traditional holiday activities. Bring sturdy shoes.