People who use this site as a stop over, and plenty did during our two week stay, are missing out. The site is small and there is a little road noise from the A1 but it is immaculately well maintained. The site is best used as a base for the many attractions in the area. Beamish is probably the most popular one and it is well worth a return visit or two. Nearby Durham itself is a nice city, Shildon Railway Museum forms part of the national collection and has free entry and free parking. High Force Waterfall is a bit of a drive from the site but was worth the effort. In Hartlepool there is HMS Trincomalee - the oldest floating warship in the world and an excellent interpenetration centre. Just up the A1 from the site is the Angel of the North - has to be seen to be believed. There is Souter Lighthouse, Gibside, Gateshead and Newcastle that are all worthy of a visit. Too much of a great location to simply use as a stop over - we will be returning