Herber Tower

A squat stone tower rising from the Durham moorland near Stanley, Herber Tower is one of those remnants that stops you mid-walk. Built in the 18th century, it's a bastle - a fortified farmhouse designed to withstand Scottish border raids when things up here were considerably rougher than they are now.

There's not much to it, frankly. You turn up, have a look around the exterior, maybe snap a photo, and you're done in ten minutes. The views across the moor are decent enough, rolling and austere in that particular North East way. On a clear day you can see for miles - all heather and rough grassland, very little else.

This works best for local walkers tackling the moorland paths around Stanley rather than as a standalone trip. If you're staying at Beamish Holiday Park, it's a feasible afternoon detour - just six miles away - and pairs well with a proper exploration of Beamish Museum itself, which is the real draw in this part of Tyne and Wear. The tower sits on open access land, so you can wander up to it freely without worrying about permission or admission fees.

Kids won't linger. History enthusiasts might manage quarter of an hour if they're keen on border fortifications. But if you're already out on the moors with decent boots and time to kill, it's worth the diversion. Just don't expect there to be anything inside or anyone staffing the place - it's purely external.