East Durham Heritage and Lifeboat Centre

The lifeboat station at Peterlee sits right on the coast, and the heritage centre attached to it tells the story of the crews who've launched from here into some genuinely rough North Sea conditions. It's small - you won't spend hours wandering about - but it's proper informative if you care about maritime history or local rescue operations.

You get to see the actual lifeboat and learn about the volunteers who crew it, which is the real draw. The displays cover the lifeboats that have served this stretch of coast over the decades, and there's enough detail to keep history enthusiasts engaged without feeling like a slog. Kids might lose interest after 30 minutes or so unless they're ship-mad.

Being right in Peterlee means it's easy to combine with a coastal walk - the cliffs along this bit of the Durham coast are worth exploring, and the centre makes a sensible stop-off point if the weather turns. If you're staying at The Barn at Easington nearby, it's only 2.5 miles away, so ideal for a rainy afternoon or a quick cultural break from the park.

Check ahead for opening hours and admission charges before you visit - these smaller heritage operations don't always keep regular times. Worth a look if you're in the area, though - it fills a genuine gap in telling the story of this working coastline.