Craghead War Memorial

Sitting on the hillside above the village of Craghead, this war memorial cuts a stark figure against the Durham landscape. It's a proper working-class monument, the sort that commands respect without fuss - simple stonework marking the names of local men who didn't come home from the world wars.

You'll find it's the kind of place that rewards a quiet moment rather than a long visit. The setting itself is worth the walk up from the village, with views across the County Durham valleys spreading out below. It's the sort of spot history enthusiasts and walkers should include if they're in the area, though families with young children might find the journey feels a bit steep for what is essentially a stopping point rather than a destination in itself.

The memorial works best as part of a larger exploration of the region - pair it with a visit to nearby Beamish, that excellent open-air museum just a couple of miles away, and you've got a solid half-day of local heritage. If you're staying at Beamish Glamping or Derecroft Glamping Luxury Lodgepods, both are within easy reach for a morning ramble before heading somewhere more action-packed.

Allow thirty minutes to reach it, pay your respects, and take in the view. Go when the weather's decent - there's not much shelter up there, and on a grey day it can feel properly bleak. Admission is free, as these things usually are.