Teesdale – small villages, whitewashed farms, gentle walks beside the rivers Tees and Greta, rugged moorland, an abundance of wildlife, cycling, golf

Barnard Castle – historic market town with quirky shops, an antique centre, weekly market and monthly farmers’ market

The Bowes Museum – housed in a magnificent C19th chateau with permanent collections and temporary exhibitions.

High Force – England’s largest waterfall

Raby Castle – the mediaeval stronghold and deer park, home of Lord Barnard

Hamsterley Forest – with walking and cycling trails, bike hire and an adventure playground

North Pennines AONB – a European and Global Geopark

Durham City – the magnificent cathedral and castle are set high above the River Wear

Richmond – the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales

Beamish Outdoors Museum – the living museum telling the story of north east England in Victorian and Edwardian times

Hadrian’s Wall – a World Heritage Site

Newcastle, York and the Lake District – only 1 hours drive

Wycliffe – is the birthplace of John Wycliff, the first translator of the Bible into English, and St Mary’s Church dates from the C12th.

Dark Skies – the wonders of the night skies can be seen as we are in an area of little light pollution

Eating out – there is everything from a Michelin starred restaurant to country pubs and coffee shops. The nearest pub is a 5 minute drive

The Auckland Project – a unique collection of heritage attractions with Auckland Castle, one of the best preserved Bishop’s Palaces in Europe at the centre with its gardens and deer park. Also the Mining and Spanish Galleries.