Goldsborough Carr

A stretch of moorland and rough pasture just outside Barnard Castle, Goldsborough Carr is one of those places that doesn't announce itself loudly but rewards a bit of poking about. It's open country - no visitor centre, no café, just the landscape itself. You're looking at rolling terrain with proper views across Teesdale, the kind of walk that takes you away from the main tourist trail without requiring serious fell-walking credentials.

Walkers will find this far more appealing than casual strollers. There's no defined path in the traditional sense, so you need reasonable boots and a weather eye on the forecast. The moorland itself is honestly a bit sparse - heather that comes and goes depending on the season, patches of grass, the occasional gritstone outcrop. It's not dramatic, but there's something to be said for that restraint. Families with young legs might manage an hour here before the novelty wears off; teenagers could easily lose themselves for an afternoon if they're into proper hiking.

Historically, it's part of the wider Teesdale landscape that's been shaped by farming and mining for centuries, though there's not much to show for it now. The real draw is the solitude and the sense of being out on the moors without having to drive hours north.

Free to access. Base yourself at one of the caravan parks within five miles - Barnard Castle Camping and Caravanning Club Site is the closest - and combine it with a visit to the castle itself or walks along the Tees. Winter's probably the least rewarding season; spring and autumn hit the spot.