Consett

Steel once ruled supreme here. Today's Consett is a proper post-industrial town that's found new purpose as a gateway to County Durham's wild countryside. The town sits high on a plateau, offering cracking views across the Derwent Valley - once blackened by ironworks, now green again after decades of regeneration.

When the steelworks closed in 1980, it left a town searching for identity. These days Consett feels quietly determined rather than defeated. The high street has its share of empty shops, but there's still life in the place midweek.

The real draw lies beyond the town centre. West Wood and Deneburn Wood wrap around Consett like green lungs, perfect for proper woodland walks. Ravens Crag Linn offers dramatic views where the Derwent cuts through the landscape, while Wharnley Burn Waterfall rewards those willing to venture off the beaten track. Allensford Country Park, just south of town, provides gentler nature walks along the river.

For something different, Simon Griffiths Sculpture Limited showcases contemporary work that feels refreshingly unexpected in this former steel town. The Whitehall picnic area makes a decent spot for lunch with views.

Consett sits roughly 15 miles southwest of Newcastle, easily reached via the A692. It's well-positioned for exploring the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to the west and the Derwent Valley's industrial heritage sites.

Staying at one of the holiday parks around Consett makes perfect sense. You're close enough to Newcastle for day trips, yet surrounded by some of Durham's most underrated countryside. The area feels genuinely peaceful after dark - a world away from the noise and smoke that once defined this corner of the northeast.