Fishpond, enclosure and field system

There's not much to see here, and that's rather the point. This archaeological site near Hartlepool consists of earthworks - a fishpond, an enclosure, and field boundaries - that tell the story of medieval land use in County Durham. You're looking at lumps and bumps in the ground, really, but they represent how people actually lived and worked centuries ago.

What makes it worthwhile is the walk itself. The site sits in open countryside, and if you're staying at one of the nearby parks like Parkdean Resorts Crimdon Dene (just 3.8 miles away) or Castledene, it's an easy detour for an hour or two. Bring an OS map or a good smartphone app - there's no interpretation board that I could find, and no facilities either. You'll need to use your imagination a bit, picturing the medieval settlement and how that fishpond would have provided food for the household.

Historically minded visitors will get more from this than families with young children. It's the sort of place where you stop, look at the landscape, and think rather than actively do something. Not a destination in itself, but a solid bit of local history if you're already in the area. The walk to reach it beats sitting in a holiday park all day, and it costs you nothing but time. Check with Hartlepool's visitor information before heading out - details about access and the best route aren't obvious.