Dalton Lake

The walk down to Dalton Lake from the car park near Peterlee takes about ten minutes through proper woodland, and it's immediately clear why locals keep coming back. The lake itself is surprisingly peaceful - a ribbon of dark water surrounded by mature trees that reflect like a mirror when the wind drops. You can do a full circuit in under an hour, which makes it ideal if you've got restless kids in tow, though the path does get a bit muddy after rain, so decent shoes are essential.

Fishing is the main draw here, and anglers clearly rate it - you'll see tackle boxes dotted along the banks most weekends. The whole setup feels less touristy than some of the bigger lakes in the region, which is rather the point. There's a car park and basic facilities, though nothing fancy. It's free to visit and there's no specific opening times to worry about, just use common sense about daylight.

If you're staying at The Barn at Easington just down the road, this makes a cracking half-day outing. The woodland paths are gentle enough for most fitness levels, though there's no cafe or visitor centre here - bring a flask if you plan to linger. Summer weekends get busier than weekdays, so go early if you want solitude. It won't blow your mind, but it's a solid, unpretentious bit of County Durham that rewards a quiet morning.