Brierton Community Sports Centre

The sports centre sits just inland from Hartlepool's seafront, a functional brick building that does exactly what it says on the tin. Inside, you'll find a proper community facility with a swimming pool, gym equipment, and courts for badminton and other racquet sports. It's not somewhere you'd travel hours to reach, but if you're staying at Parkdean Resorts Crimdon Dene down the coast, it's handy for rainy days or when the beach gets too windy.

Families with kids will appreciate the pool, though it's geared more towards local users and swim lessons than holiday entertainment. The gym might appeal to adults who can't face a week without their weights routine. The whole place has that no-frills community centre feel - clean, functional, nothing fancy.

Unless you're desperate for a workout or your children are desperate to swim indoors, this isn't a destination in itself. The real appeal of Brierton is its location as a backup plan during a park holiday. Hartlepool itself, just a few miles away, has better attractions if the weather turns. That said, if you've got sporty teenagers who genuinely want a gym session or a swim competition, ringing ahead to check what's on makes sense. Costs and opening hours vary, so check locally before heading over. It's the sort of place that solves a problem rather than creates an outing.