The Hole In Wand

A round of crazy golf near Peterlee doesn't sound like it'll set your pulse racing, but The Hole In Wand does the job well enough on a rainy afternoon. It's the sort of place where you can blow off steam without needing a membership or spending the earth - just turn up, grab a putter, and work your way through the course.

The setup is standard miniature golf fare: obstacles, ramps, the occasional windmill. Nothing revolutionary, but it's well-maintained and perfectly serviceable for families with kids who need an hour of entertainment. Adults won't find themselves desperately bored either, especially if you're the competitive type. The whole thing takes about an hour, give or take.

It lives inside Dalton Park, which is handy because you can tie it into a shopping trip if you're desperate, though that rather misses the point of a holiday. What actually matters is that if you're staying at The Barn at Easington or Castledene Holiday Park nearby, it's close enough to slot into a day without faff. Not a reason to plan your whole trip around it, but a solid rainy-day backup when the weather turns typical for County Durham.

Check their website before you head over - opening hours can be variable, and it's worth knowing whether you'll need to book or if they take walk-ins. Bring some loose change for the tills, and maybe manage expectations: this is competent, functional fun, not destination-worthy on its own.