Seaton Carew Golf Club

The links course at Seaton Carew sits right on the Durham coastline just south of Hartlepool, and if you're staying nearby at Parkdean Resorts Crimdon Dene, it's worth considering for a round or two. The course itself is a proper seaside links - windswept, challenging, and the sort of place where you'll lose at least one ball to the rough if you're not careful.

You get that authentic links feel here: firm greens, natural hazards, and views across to the North Sea. It's not a championship course, but it doesn't pretend to be. The clubhouse is straightforward, welcoming to visitors, and the whole experience feels genuinely local rather than overpolished.

Golfers will find it engaging, particularly if you've got an intermediate handicap. Beginners might find the wind and tight fairways frustrating on a blustery day - and it's usually blustery. Families with non-golfing members will struggle; there's nothing else to do while someone's playing 18 holes, and frankly, the surroundings are functional rather than scenic.

Check their website for visitor rates and booking requirements before you go - these vary seasonally. Allow a full morning or afternoon for a round. It's worth the trip if you're a keen golfer staying in the area, though the nearby holiday park isn't exactly luxurious, so manage expectations all round. Better as part of a broader East Coast trip than as a standalone destination.