To Our Glorious Dead

Standing on the outskirts of Durham, To Our Glorious Dead is a war memorial that pulls you up short. It's the kind of place that makes you actually pause, rather than snap a photo and move on.

The memorial itself is a proper tribute to the fallen from the First World War - straightforward, dignified, and deeply moving in its simplicity. You don't need to be a history enthusiast to feel the weight of it. The inscription alone does the work. It's the sort of monument you find across Britain, but that doesn't make it any less affecting when you're standing in front of it.

This isn't a destination in itself - you won't spend an hour here, and you shouldn't expect visitor facilities. But if you're staying at one of the nearby parks like Finchale Abbey or Beamish Holiday Park, it's absolutely worth a short drive to visit. Pair it with a walk around Durham's cathedral and riverside, which is only a couple of miles away, and you've got a morning that actually means something.

Best visited on a quiet day rather than peak season, when you can stand without a crowd and read the names properly. Bring a sense of respect rather than a checklist mentality. It's free, it's accessible, and it's the kind of reminder that travel isn't just about ticking boxes - some places stick with you because they're supposed to.