I’ll never forget the drive up to Willington in County Durham last month – we’d packed the car with enough snacks to feed a small army, the dog bouncing about in the back, and me navigating via a dodgy phone signal. About halfway there, just past Darlington, we hit a massive tailback from some roadworks. What should’ve been an hour’s jaunt turned into two, and I ended up taking a wrong turn onto a narrow lane that had us convinced we were lost in the middle of nowhere. Turns out, it was the perfect detour – we stumbled on this tiny farm shop selling the most incredible local cheeses and pies. A happy mishap, really, and it built up my excitement no end for what lay ahead.

Pulling up outside the ground-floor apartment in this sleepy village felt like arriving at a proper hidden gem straight away. Roadside parking right there, no faffing about, and the pet-friendly vibe was spot on for our mongrel. Stepping inside, I was chuffed – a spacious family room with a double and twin beds all cosily arranged, tasteful decor that screamed calm without trying too hard. Next door, the chic shower room with its walk-in setup was just the ticket after that drive. First impressions? Bloody brilliant, though I say so myself.

But the real magic of the stay was how it nudged us into County Durham’s off-the-beaten-track treasures, mostly by us getting gloriously lost. Day one, we wandered out aiming for a quick pub lunch and ended up on a footpath behind the village that led to the old Willington rivermouth along the Wear. No crowds, just the river burbling away, herons dipping for fish, and us picnicking on that farm shop loot. Pure bliss, like we’d gatecrashed nature’s private party.

Next morning, fancying a gentle hike, we followed a signpost that wasn’t on any map app – straight into the woods skirting the old colliery paths near the Auckland Way. Twisty trails through bluebell patches (even out of season, they were lush), popping out at a forgotten viewpoint over the valley. We bumped into a local walker who tipped us off about a hidden tearoom in nearby Brancepeth, tucked down a lane you’d miss unless you were daydreaming at the wheel. Scones the size of saucers, proper clotted cream, and not a tourist in sight. Laughing about it later, I reckoned we’d have driven right past if we hadn’t taken that ‘scenic route’.

One evening, after another aimless pootle, we found ourselves at the edge of the old railway walk towards High Grange, where the light hits the fields just so at dusk. The dog went mental chasing shadows, and we sat there with flasks of tea, watching the world slow down. It made me pause for a bit of self-reflection – back home, life’s all rush and screens, but getting lost here stripped it back to simple joys. No grand adventures, just these accidental finds that felt like secrets shared.

Willington’s no flashy spot, but that’s its charm. Our few days there, fueled by wrong turns and whim, turned into the kind of holiday that lingers. If you’re after proper escape, pack a map (or don’t), and let County Durham work its quiet magic.