Tree Throne

You'll find a proper wooden throne carved into a living tree somewhere near Shildon, and it's exactly the sort of thing that stops you mid-walk and makes you actually use your phone camera. The thing is genuinely impressive - someone's taken real time to shape the wood, create an actual seat, and it's sturdy enough that you can sit in it without worrying the whole thing will collapse beneath you.

It's more of a curiosity than a destination, to be honest. Five minutes max to find it, take your photos, maybe have a sit-down if you fancy it. Kids will love the novelty of it, and walkers doing longer routes through County Durham will appreciate it as a legitimate reason to stop and have a breather. The real appeal is that it feels like stumbling onto something someone made for themselves, not some corporate attraction.

There's no visitor centre or entrance fee to worry about - you just turn up. The downside is that exact directions seem hard to pin down, so go armed with a decent map app or ask locally in Shildon first. Best visited as part of a broader walk rather than a solo mission.

If you're based at Eden Grange Glamping or The Gables Pod Camping nearby, it's worth weaving into your itinerary. Neither location is far away, so you could easily make it work on a rambling afternoon. Weather-dependent for comfort, obviously - soggy ground makes it less appealing.