PSS Wingfield Castle

The ruins of Wingfield Castle sit on a headland near Hartlepool, and honestly, they're not much to write home about at first glance. What's left is a fairly modest Norman keep - medieval stonework that's clearly taken centuries of coastal battering. You're looking at fragmentary walls and foundations more than the dramatic fortress most people imagine, but that's precisely what makes it interesting for anyone who understands how castles actually looked when inhabited.

The real draw is the setting. This place commands the coast properly, and the walk up gives you proper views over the Durham shoreline. It's a proper windswept spot - bring a jacket. The castle dates back to the 12th century, which means it predates most of the tourist traps in the area by a good 800 years, though the Normans only held it briefly before it fell into decline.

It's free to wander around, which helps, and you'll not need more than thirty minutes unless you're genuinely into medieval fortifications. Families with young kids might find it a bit underwhelming - there's no visitor centre or interpretation, just the stones and your imagination. But walkers will appreciate the coastal location, and it pairs well with a base at Parkdean Resorts Crimdon Dene, just a couple of miles down the coast near Hartlepool.

Go for the history and the views, not for Instagram moments. It's the sort of place that rewards actually knowing what you're looking at.