Settling Pond

Water, sky, and not much else - that's the appeal of Settling Pond near Peterlee. It's a shallow lake that formed where mining subsidence created a natural basin, and honestly, it's more peaceful than picturesque. The pond sits in quiet farmland between Peterlee and the coast, attracting birdwatchers and anyone after a proper escape from crowds.

What you do here is walk. There's a decent loop around the water's edge, maybe forty minutes if you're not rushing, with views across the Durham flatlands. Bring binoculars - the bird life is legitimate, especially in winter and during migration seasons. The surrounding grassland gets boggy after rain, so decent boots matter.

It won't thrill kids for more than an hour unless they're the type who genuinely enjoy spotting birds and insects. For families, The Barn at Easington - just over two miles away and highly rated - makes a sensible base. The pond works best as a morning walk before heading elsewhere in the day.

There's no visitor facility here, no café, no car park beyond a few grass verges. It's free and completely unrestricted. Go in spring for migrating birds, or early morning any time to avoid the heat and catch wildlife at their most active. It's the sort of place that works because it asks almost nothing of you - no entrance fee, no schedule, just a quiet walk by the water. That simplicity is rather the point.