Seaham Library

You won't find crowds at Seaham Library. It's a functional, modern space in this former colliery town between Peterlee and the coast, doing what libraries do without any fuss or pretence.

Inside you've got books, computers, a decent reference section, and the kind of quiet that actually lets you concentrate. The staff know what they're talking about. There's a small children's area if you're dragging kids along, though it won't keep them entertained for hours.

The real reason to drop by is if you're staying at The Barn at Easington nearby and fancy a rainy afternoon indoors, or need to sort out something practical - printing documents, charging your phone, using the free wi-fi. It's also genuinely useful for anyone interested in County Durham's mining heritage; the local studies section has material on Seaham's history that you won't find elsewhere.

Admission is free. Expect to spend thirty minutes to an hour here, maybe longer if you're serious about the archives. It's not a tourist attraction in any conventional sense, but that's precisely the point. You get a proper sense of how a real community facility works, not a sanitised version built for visitors.

Worth a stop if you're in the area during bad weather or need a break from the caravan. Don't detour specially for it.