Sugar Hill Park

Sugar Hill Park sits just outside Shildon in County Durham, a modest green space that punches above its weight if you know what you're after. It's the sort of place locals have probably walked past a hundred times without really stopping - which is why it stays relatively quiet even on decent weekends.

The park itself offers decent walking trails through woodland, with open grassland areas ideal if you've got kids who need to burn off energy. There's a small playground tucked away, nothing fancy but functional. The real draw here is the peaceful atmosphere and the views across the surrounding countryside - nothing dramatic, but proper restful after a morning's travelling.

It works well as a half-day stop if you're based at Eden Grange Glamping nearby, which is only six miles away and absolutely worth considering for accommodation. You could easily do an hour or so here, stretch your legs, let the children loose, then head back for lunch. Don't expect anything remarkable - no café, no visitor centre - but that's rather the point.

Walkers will appreciate the trails without feeling like they've been shoe-horned into some commercial experience. Families with younger kids get good value from the playground space. History buffs might want to check what industrial heritage Shildon itself offers before or after, as the town's got some proper railway connections worth exploring.

Go if you're in the area and need a genuine breath of fresh air. Worth the detour? Only if you're already nearby.