Weardale Railway

The railway line through Weardale has been running trains along this stretch of County Durham for years, and it's one of those attractions that genuinely rewards a trip if you're staying at one of the caravan parks dotted round here. You'll travel through proper countryside - rolling hills, stone villages, the whole lot - from stations like Stanhope and Weardale itself. It's heritage railway stuff, so expect vintage rolling stock and the sort of pace that lets you actually look out the window without missing anything.

This works best for families with kids old enough to sit still for a journey, and for anyone who fancies a nostalgic afternoon without the crowds you'd get at the big-name attractions. The ride takes you through some genuinely lovely Pennine scenery, and if you're based at somewhere like Heather View Holiday Park just down the road, it's a natural add-on to a week pottering about the dales. Allow a couple of hours start to finish including a stop at either end.

Worth timing your visit for a weekend when services are most frequent. The steam trains operate seasonally, so spring through autumn is your sweet spot. It's not cheap - heritage railways never are - but it's the sort of thing that sticks in people's minds. Beats sitting in a layby, and the kids will actually talk about it afterwards rather than moan they're bored.