Stonygill High House

The approach to Stonygill High House winds through proper moorland countryside between Barnard Castle and the quieter valleys of County Durham. This isn't some polished heritage site with gift shops - it's an honest 17th-century farmhouse that sits where it's stood for nearly 400 years, and that's exactly what makes it worth seeking out.

What you're looking at is a working slice of local history. The stone walls, the layout, the sheer solidity of it all - this is how people actually built and lived in the Pennines when winters bit hard and summers were short. The house sits isolated on the hills, which tells you something straightforward about the people who chose to farm here. For history types and walkers tackling the moorland paths around Barnard Castle, this is the real thing rather than a museum interpretation.

It's free to look around from the outside, though access to the interior depends on who's home - worth phoning ahead if you want a proper look inside. Allow 20 minutes maximum, longer if you're the type who wants to photograph every stone detail. The surrounding landscape is genuinely lovely for a walk, and you're only a couple of miles from Leekworth Caravan Park or Mickleton Mill, both solid bases for exploring this corner of County Durham.

Visit on a clear day when you can see across the moorland. On a grey afternoon with low cloud, it's atmospheric but bit bleak. Best suited to walkers and history enthusiasts rather than families expecting an event or activity.