Top camping field

There's a field near Stocksfield that's become something of a pilgrimage spot for campers who want the real deal. Top Camping Field isn't some manicured site with facilities and marked pitches - it's properly rural, the kind of place where you pitch where you fancy and the only sound at night is wind through trees and the occasional sheep. The views across County Durham are genuinely striking, especially at dusk when the light catches the hills just right.

Walkers and families after a genuine back-to-basics experience will get the most from it. There's no shop, no showers, no wi-fi - which means it either appeals to you immediately or it absolutely doesn't. You're looking at a few hours minimum to settle in and take in the setting, though most people stay overnight to catch the sunrise. The site works particularly well as a stepping stone between Hidden Retreat Glamping (just down the road if you fancy a night of actual comfort) and proper hiking across the surrounding moorland.

Access details are a bit hazy online, so ring ahead or check locally in Stocksfield before you go. It's worth the drive if you're after somewhere to decompress without paying for unnecessary frills. The landscape around here is what you're paying for, really, and on a clear night the stars alone make the trip worthwhile.