Bink House

There's not much left of Bink House these days - a few crumbling stone walls on the outskirts of Barnard Castle that most people drive straight past without noticing. What you're standing at, though, is the remains of a seventeenth-century farmhouse, and if you know where to look, you can read the landscape like a history book. The foundations tell you where the main rooms sat, and occasionally you'll spot worked stone that hints at what was once a decent property for the time.

It's the kind of place that works best for walkers with a keen interest in vernacular architecture and rural history - not a destination in itself, but rather a rewarding stop if you're already tramping the footpaths around Teesdale. You won't need more than fifteen or twenty minutes here unless you're genuinely fascinated by medieval settlement patterns. The setting is quiet and off the beaten track, which some will find lovely and others might find a bit underwhelming.

If you're based at one of the local caravan parks - Leekworth or Mickleton Mill are both close by - it's worth a brief detour as part of a wider walk, but don't expect interpretation boards or facilities. Bring good walking shoes and a decent map. Barnard Castle itself, just a few miles away, has far more obvious historical attractions if you want something more substantial to sink your teeth into.