Bradley Burn Caravan Park

The burn chatters over smooth stones at the edge of the site, constant and steady, the kind of sound that makes you sleep deeper than you have in months.

This is proper Durham touring country — caravans, campervans and tents all welcome, year-round, which tells you something about the folk who run it and the hardy souls who pitch up in February. It suits anyone chasing the North Pennines without the fuss, walkers heading for the moors, families who prefer a straightforward site where the landscape does the entertaining. You're in prime position for Weardale and Teesdale, both valleys thick with lead-mining history and high, wide skies.

Facilities cover the basics — toilets and showers onsite, nothing fancy but everything you need. Ask about campfires when you arrive; policies can shift depending on season and conditions. The vibe's low-key and self-sufficient, the kind of place where you bring your own entertainment and leave feeling like you actually camped.