St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church

The red brick Victorian church stands out immediately on the Hartlepool skyline - all Gothic Revival confidence and proper industrial-age ambition. St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church is exactly what you'd expect from the North East's mining heritage: substantial, uncompromising, built to last. Inside, the nave opens up with that particular warmth of older Catholic churches, all dark wood and respectful quiet.

It's genuinely worth a 20-minute detour if you're into Victorian architecture or religious heritage. The craftsmanship is evident - decorative tiles, decent stained glass, the sort of detail that builders of the 1880s insisted on even in a working-class parish church. Not spectacular in the way Durham Cathedral is, but honest and rather moving for that reason.

Historians and architecture buffs will find it rewarding. Families with young kids might struggle to keep them occupied beyond ten minutes, and casual sightseers won't find much to keep them here long. It's a working parish church, so check service times before visiting - you may not be able to wander freely during Mass.

If you're staying at Parkdean Resorts Crimdon Dene Holiday Park, this sits just a few miles inland from the coast. Pop in between seaside walks and fish and chips rather than making it a destination in itself. Hartlepool's got plenty of other maritime museums and attractions to fill a proper day out, so combine this with those rather than visiting alone. Free entry, naturally, and it's open during daylight hours for quiet contemplation.