Bishop Auckland

Red brick terraces climb the hillsides here, while the River Wear winds through the valley below. Bishop Auckland sits at the heart of County Durham's former coalfield, where pit wheels once turned and communities thrived around the mines. Today, it's a proper working town that hasn't lost its grit or character.

Auckland Castle dominates the skyline - the Prince Bishops' palace that gave the town its name. The market square still buzzes on Thursdays and Saturdays, though midweek it's quieter than it once was. You'll find decent pubs and cafes scattered about, plus the usual high street shops, but this isn't a tourist honeypot. It's real County Durham.

Woodland walks thread through the surrounding countryside. Backhouse Hill Wood and Horse Bank Wood offer proper rambles without the crowds, while Linburn Hall Wood stretches across several miles of mixed terrain. The old collieries at Millfield Grange and Holly Moor tell stories of the area's industrial past - fascinating if you're into industrial archaeology.

Hamsterley Forest lies a short drive west, brilliant for mountain biking and longer hikes. The village itself has a lovely war memorial and an old Baptist church worth a look. Further afield, the North Pennines beckon with their wild moors and stone villages.

Getting here's straightforward enough - the A688 runs right through town, connecting to the A1 at Darlington. The nearest train station is actually in Shildon, about four miles east. Staying at one of the holiday parks around here gives you a proper base for exploring the Dales, Durham's cathedral city, and Hadrian's Wall without the tourist prices.