Saint Hilda's Church

The church sits on a headland overlooking the North Sea, which alone makes the journey from Hartlepool worthwhile. Saint Hilda's is a proper medieval structure with Saxon origins - you're looking at over a thousand years of history here, though what you see today is largely 12th and 13th century work. The churchyard's the real draw for most people: windswept, atmospheric, with gravestones tumbling down the slope and views that stretch for miles along the coast.

Walkers will find this their sort of place. The setting demands a good half hour minimum to potter around properly, and the approach itself - whether you come from Hartlepool along the cliffs or park nearby - is pleasant enough. The interior's modest rather than grand, which somehow suits the location. On a clear day you can see right along the Durham coast.

It's the kind of spot that lingers with you after a seaside holiday. If you're staying at Parkdean Resorts Crimdon Dene - which sits about four miles south - this makes an excellent morning excursion before heading back for lunch. The site itself is free to visit, though opening hours aren't always predictable for smaller churches, so it's worth checking locally before you trek out there.

Families with children will get the most from a visit if the kids enjoy graveyards and coastal walks. Those after tourist-trap attractions should look elsewhere, but for anyone wanting actual atmosphere and honest, unmessed-with history, this delivers.