A village in County Durham has been revealed among the top “unexpected” holiday destinations in England.

Staindrop is “not usually on most tourists’ wishlists” but there are plenty of reasons why it’s “on the map”, according to Schofields Insurance.

It comes as the provider of holiday home insurance has conducted a study to identify the top destinations in the country for those seeking a memorable holiday cottage experience.

Using data including crime rates and a tourist attraction score, Schofields has shared their curated list that details not only the most charming villages, but those which are the safest in their area and have plenty to do nearby for families, couples and solo travellers.

@gonerunsploring A little runsplore around Staindrop - heavy legs after a late night 🥴. Lovely little place 💚. #outdooradventures #exploringnature #runsploring #running #runningtiktok #beautifulnature #runningfforfun #tiktokrunning #runwithme #HappierHealthierStronger #JustKeepShowingUp #runningtiktok #BennoOnTheRun #staindrop #CountyDurham #TheOldChapelRetreat #RabyCastle #RabyEstate #SlowRunning #RunsSlow #Runsploring ♬ Good Vibes (Instrumental) - Ellen Once Again

Why is Staindrop one of England’s top ‘hidden’ tourist destinations?

The village was selected as a top location for holidaymakers due to its “outstanding” crime rates and proximity to a range of local tourist attractions.

Schofields explained: “Staindrop in County Durham is not usually on most tourists’ wishlists, but its proximity to the North Pennines Area of Natural Beauty as well as other popular tourist attractions including Raby Castle, deer park and its bespoke Plotters’ Forest adventure playground, and the Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle really put Staindrop on the map.

“You could easily spend an entire trip exploring this area of the North East, whether you’re more interested in the history, including Beamish, the world famous open air museum just 30 miles away, or the outdoors at Hamsterley Forest with its Gruffalo trail.”

Elsewhere, Beadnell in Northumberland also made the top list along with its accompanying bay on the Northumberland Coast National Landscape, which has been described as often being an “overlooked tourist destination”.

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The experts added: “The rugged beauty of this coastline is brought to life even more by its backdrop against stunning sights such as Dunstanburgh Castle and the imposing Bamburgh Castle.

“Many enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle around Beadnell, with scuba diving, kite surfing and sailing being popular along the protected waters and sandy beaches.

“A little further inland, Alnwick is only a 20-minute drive from your base at Beadnell, home to Alnwick Castle, famed for its part in the Harry Potter movies, the stunning Alnwick Gardens and the new huge adventure playspace Lilidorei.

“You can also head further north from Beadnell to Seahouses, known as the gateway to the Farne Islands where you can catch a boat to see seabirds and puffins at these glorious outposts in the North Sea.”