Mayfair Lodge

Let the kids play farmer for the day… with tractor rides at Tweddle Children’s Animal Farm (15 minutes' drive), alpaca walks at Leven Valley Alpacas (25 minutes) and more animals to say hello to on Newham Grange Farm (25 minutes), there's a lot to muck into, and miniature golf and a playground to let off steam at the latter too. For more games, there’s the bowling alley, amusement arcades and beach in Seaton Carew (five minutes) or the BMX tracks in Summerhill Country Park (10 minutes) are a fab alternative to the footpaths and play areas for particularly adventurous groups. Keep up your active streak in the Wynyard Woodland Park (20 minutes) too, where there’s a former railway track that's now a walking and cycling route with a station house for a café. What of those wildlife-packed places? Well, you’re sure to catch some cool wildlife around Teesmouth National Nature Reserve (five minutes) or the RSPB Saltholme (five minutes). History’s not too far off either, so head to Hartlepool (10 minutes) for the National Museum of the Royal Navy and the HMS Trincomalee and afterwards, the National Trust’s Ormesby Hall (half an hour) and the Augustinian Gisborough Priory (35 minutes for this and Gisborough Forest).