High Force

The River Tees thunders over a 21-metre drop here, and it's genuinely impressive - far better than I expected from what sounds like just another waterfall. High Force near Bishop Auckland pulls you in with the sheer power of it, especially after heavy rain when the volume of water becomes properly dramatic.

You can get right up close to the base of the fall, which is the real draw. The walk down from the car park takes about ten minutes through woodland, and the final stretch opens up to reveal the whole thing at once. The rocky basin below churns and froths year-round, and in winter when the water's high, you'll understand why locals reckon this matters.

History types will appreciate that this has been a visitor attraction since the Victorian era - people were coming here when most of the country had no idea the North East existed. The walk itself is straightforward and free, which makes it a proper no-brainer on a park holiday from Bishop Auckland direction.

Stay at Leekworth or Mickleton Mill - both solid bases - and you've got this within easy reach alongside the wider Teesdale walks. Allow an hour total if you're not hanging about; longer if the weather's decent and you fancy exploring the river path either side. Best in spring or after rain, frankly. Summer can feel a bit crowded, and autumn rain often brings the falls into their own.