Gunners Vale

You'll find Gunners Vale just outside Hartlepool, a spot that's earned its name from the artillery that once thundered across this stretch of County Durham coast. It's a proper dramatic bit of coastline - towering cliffs, rocky outcrops, and views that stretch for miles when the weather plays ball.

The vale itself is more working landscape than manicured attraction. There's no visitor centre or gift shop here, which is honestly refreshing. What you get instead is raw coastline and the chance to pick your way along the rocks or simply stand at the clifftop and watch the North Sea do its thing. Photographers will find it compelling, particularly when storm light rolls in. Walkers can link it into longer coastal routes, though the terrain's a bit unforgiving underfoot - wear proper shoes.

It's not somewhere to plan a three-hour visit around. Think of it as a thirty-minute stop during a coastal drive, or a waypoint on a longer walk from Hartlepool. Families with very young children might find it a bit bleak and windswept; teenagers and adults who appreciate raw scenery will get far more from it.

If you're based at Donnewell Farm Caravan Club nearby, it's well worth the short drive for a stretch of legs and a different perspective on the coast. The admission's free - it's just a matter of getting there and enjoying it on your own terms.