Bishop Auckland

The old medieval marketplace still hums with proper Durham grit, though these days it's galleries and coffee shops rather than cattle traders filling the squares. Bishop Auckland sits in the heart of Weardale, a market town that's quietly reinvented itself as something of a cultural hub while keeping its working-class roots firmly planted.

Auckland Castle dominates the skyline - home to bishops for 800 years and now housing The Spanish Gallery with its remarkable collection of Zurbarán paintings. It's a bit surreal finding world-class Spanish art in a County Durham market town, but that's Bishop Auckland for you. The Mining Art Gallery tells a grittier story of the area's coal heritage, while Stan Laurel gets his due with both a statue and historic site celebrating the comedy legend's local connections.

Weardale stretches west from here into proper fell country. Rolling green hills give way to moorland, with the Pennines rising beyond. It's lovely walking territory, and you're well placed for both the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and easy access to Durham city.

Getting here is straightforward enough - the A688 runs straight through from the A1, about 20 minutes from Durham itself. There's a decent rail link too, though buses serve the surrounding villages better than trains.

Staying at one of the holiday parks dotted around the area makes perfect sense. You're close enough to nip into town for dinner or catch something at the Eden Theatre, but far enough out to enjoy the countryside. Witton Castle offers a particularly atmospheric base, while the various farm parks give you that proper rural feel with easy access to both Bishop Auckland's cultural offerings and Weardale's walking routes.