King's Church Darlington

The Church of St Cuthbert - though locals call it King's Church - sits in the heart of Darlington with the kind of presence that makes you stop mid-stride. This is a proper medieval church, the real deal, with enough architectural detail to keep history buffs entertained for a solid hour. The interior's surprisingly light and airy for something that's stood here since the 12th century, and the stonework around the chancel repays close inspection. It's free to wander in, though you'll want to check opening times before making the trip from Shildon, which is only a few miles away.

Families with older kids will find enough to look at without it becoming a chore - the font's interesting, and there's usually someone around who enjoys chatting about the place. If you're staying at Eden Grange Glamping nearby, it's well worth the short drive into town and makes an easy pairing with a walk around Darlington's wider town centre. The church works best as part of a broader exploration rather than a destination in itself - come for the church, stay for the market square and local pubs. Allow 30 to 45 minutes inside unless you're really keen on brass rubbings and Victorian restoration work. The real appeal here is that it's unpretentious and genuinely old, not dressed up for tourists. That's rather refreshing.