E L T I P S V R T
Everything is unpacked, the kids are settled after the journey and you can finally take in your surroundings.
And sitting with a glass of wine on the balcony of our Willerby mobile home, those surroundings – taking in the views across Weardale in County Durham – were stunning.
The sun was starting to set behind the houses dotted on the hillside of nearby Stanhope town, and the air was cooling down, signalling the end of a roasting hot day.
We arrived at the Heather View Leisure Park, just outside Stanhope, a few hours earlier and were pleased to find our base for the next few nights was a real home from home.
Stylish and comfortable, the main bedroom had a TV, dressing area and en suite while the second double and the twin single were surprisingly spacious, with plenty of storage.
The open living room and kitchen were equally wellequipped. As rabbits jumped about outside, we fell asleep to the sounds of nearby cows lowing.
And after a great night’s sleep, myself and the kids – Theo, nine, and Nathan, six – were raring to go.
We took a picturesque drive to Adventure Valley on the outskirts of Durham, the perfect place to burn off their energy.
The boys had a fabulous time getting lost in a maize maze, jumping on giant bouncy pillows and winding their way down giant slides.
And they were delighted to come face to face with chipmunks, goats, pigs… and Bertie, the world’s fastest tortoise, who broke a Guinness World Record in 2014 and has appeared on Britain’s Got Talent.
By the time we got back to Heather View we were starving. We headed for the park’s Crazy Bear pub with its family-friendly menu, play park and views over the river.
It’s rare to find a holiday park that attracts so many families but still retains an air of tranquillity. Perhaps it’s the surroundings, or just the fact there is simply so much space.
The next day the kids were superexcited to head to Diggerland, Durham, where they giggled their HAMSTERLEY Forest is beautiful, but bear in mind there is a £6 charge for each car visiting. THERE are some steep slopes and uneven surfaces at the Beamish Museum – but you can opt for a bus that will ferry you around the site. DIGGERLAND is not just for kids… Grown-ups can dig in too, booking day courses such as JCB experiences and monster digger driving. heads off operating life-size JCBS, getting behind the wheel of mini Land Rovers and directing excavators to knock down skittles.
But the biggest laughs came on the Spindizzy, a super-sized digger bucket ride that whizzes and spins passengers through the air. Nathan was beside himself with hysteria.
Heritage
It’s well worth taking a run into Durham itself, sitting on the River Wear, with its cathedral and castle – a Unesco World Heritage site.
There is also the famous Beamish Museum, where you can taste traditional food from a coal-fired range, jump on a tram and play schoolyard games as you discover the story of the North East in the 1820s, 1900s and 1940s. To learn even more about the industrial history of the area, Killhope mining museum is a must.
The award-winning attraction gives an insight into conditions working underground at the 19th century lead mine near Cowshill.
Stanhope is ideal too for walkers, with 2,000-hectare Hamsterley Forest nearby. You can also enjoy a drive, cycle or horse ride here.
And the acclaimed Weardale Railway is a stone’s throw away, offering an 18-mile ride through stunning countryside.
Stanhope itself is delightful and unspoilt, with a well-stocked Co-op, newsagents, traditional sweet shop and a few gift stores along with the usual amenities for locals.
The town’s church, St Thomas the Apostle, has Norman origins – if you are passing, make sure to note the beautiful stained glass windows.
On our final night we bought dinner from a little chip shop that had caught our eye called Freddie’s.
Named as a tribute to local soldiers who died in the First World War, it dishes up delicious beerbattered fish.
Our relaxation complete, our last night ended as our first had begun – chilling on the balcony as the sun set, taking in a view that had delivered everything it had promised. FACTFILE: A week at Heather View late September for four in a deluxe lodge costs around £550. See verdantleisure.co.uk/heather-view.