Tunstall Hills Local Nature Reserve

The walk up Tunstall Hills catches most people off guard. You're expecting a modest local reserve near Peterlee, and instead you get proper views across County Durham's industrial heritage mixed with unexpected greenery. It's not dramatic moorland - more a series of slopes and grassland that feels genuinely wild once you're up there, despite being practically on the coast.

What makes it worth the trip is the sense of recovery. These hills were colliery spoil once. Now they're thick with wildflowers in summer, and the paths are good underfoot. Walkers will appreciate the varied terrain and the fact you can make it as short or long as you like depending on which routes you take. It's not a place for dawdling - most people get what they came for in ninety minutes to two hours.

Historically minded visitors should come prepared to spot the industrial past literally beneath their feet. There's genuine character in how nature's reclaimed this space, though you won't find interpretation boards explaining everything. You need to know what you're looking at.

If you're basing yourself at The Barn at Easington just down the road, this is an essential morning out. Bring decent boots if there's been rain - it gets boggy in patches. There's no visitor centre or facilities, so plan accordingly. Free to access, which makes it even better value for a rainy Thursday that unexpectedly clears up.