Peterlee Library

Peterlee Library is a solid community space that serves the town well, though it's not the sort of place you'd build a day trip around. Located in County Durham, just a short drive from Hartlepool, it's the kind of facility worth knowing about if you're camping or caravanning locally - particularly if you're staying at Castledene Holiday Park or The Barn at Easington nearby.

You'll find the standard library offerings: a decent selection of books across fiction and non-fiction, access to computers, and a generally quiet environment where you can actually concentrate. The staff are helpful enough. It's a modern space, not a rambling Victorian mansion, so don't expect architectural interest. The real draw is practical - if you're on a rainy afternoon mid-holiday and the kids are climbing the walls, or you need to charge devices and check emails, it does the job.

For families, it's useful rather than exciting. Younger children might find the children's section entertaining for an hour or so, but this isn't a destination library with rare collections or special events that would justify a dedicated visit. Serious readers spending a week in the area might pop in to grab a few paperbacks; walkers passing through won't miss much.

If you're based at one of the nearby holiday parks - Parkdean Resorts Crimdon Dene is only 3.5 miles away - add it to your list of backup options for bad weather, but plan your activities around the coast and countryside instead. It's a practical amenity, not a highlight.