Green Acres Hamsterley

The forest closes in on three sides, and at night the only sound is wind moving through the pines and the occasional rustle of something small and unseen in the undergrowth.

This is proper Durham woodland camping, tucked into the edge of Hamsterley Forest — one of the best mountain biking and walking areas in the North East. You can pitch a tent or pull up a campervan, and it suits anyone wanting a quiet base for trail riding, forest bathing, or just sitting by a fire listening to absolutely nothing. Dogs are welcome by arrangement, so worth checking ahead if you've got one in tow. The Bishop Auckland area isn't showy, but it's honest countryside with miles of conifer and broadleaf to explore on foot or two wheels.

Facilities aren't spelled out in detail, so this is one to contact directly before you arrive — especially if campfires are part of your plan, as that needs confirming on the day. Expect a low-key, back-to-basics setup where the forest does most of the heavy lifting.