Thornley Library

A proper working library in the heart of County Durham, Thornley serves the local community with the kind of understated charm you don't get in city branches. It's not a grand Victorian building or a showpiece - it's functional, well-maintained, and genuinely useful if you're staying nearby in Trimdon Station area.

You'll find the usual library amenities: books across pretty much every category, quiet study spaces, and computers available for public use. It's the sort of place where you can actually hear yourself think, which makes it oddly appealing if you've got kids who need settling down for an hour or two. The staff know what they're doing and the collection is regularly refreshed.

If you're based at The Barn at Easington or another holiday park in the region, this works best as a rainy-day stop rather than a destination in itself. Twenty minutes to half an hour is usually enough time to browse and borrow. It's free to use, which helps, though borrowing as a visitor might require registering - best to check ahead on that front.

Honestly? If you're planning a park holiday in County Durham, you're coming for the coast and the countryside, not libraries. But if weather turns and you need to get indoors without spending money, Thornley does the job properly. It's not thrilling, but it's reliable - and sometimes that's exactly what you need on a holiday break.