Blot Outdoors Show

The Blot Outdoors Show isn't something you'll stumble upon by accident - it's a proper seasonal event that pulls in folk from across the region who actually care about the outdoors. Held near Barnard Castle, it's the sort of gathering where you'll find everything from camping gear and fishing equipment to walking boots and outdoor clothing all under one roof, or across the grounds depending on the year.

What makes it worth the drive from the caravan parks nearby - Teesdale and Hetherick are both within a couple of miles - is the hands-on nature of the thing. You can test kit before you buy it, chat to people who actually use the stuff rather than just sell it, and pick up genuine deals if you know what you're after. Families with older kids tend to get more from it than those with toddlers; there's not much to keep under-fives entertained for long, but teenagers interested in camping or climbing will spend hours here.

Timing matters. The show runs at specific points through the year, so check ahead before planning a trip around it - nothing worse than arriving at your caravan site only to find out you've missed it by a week. Admission is usually reasonable, sometimes free depending on the format.

If you're based at one of the local parks for a Teesdale break, slot this in on a half-day when the weather's dodgy. It's practical rather than pretty, but that's exactly the point.