THE area where the River Tees approaches the sea has been largely industrial in recent times, but the upper stretch of the river is very different in character. Here, while the villages, hamlets and r

I'm a scrupulous planner and, since buying our first 'van in 2022, our trips have tended to be planned with military precision and packed agendas, often staying on a single site and heading out each d

■ Distance: 10¼ miles/16.4km ■ Time: 5-6hours ■  Grade: Moderate

Barnard Castle is famous for its stunning castle ruins towering over the beautiful River Tees. In recent times, though – during the pandemic – this charming market town became far more widely known as

■ Distance: 9¾ miles/15.8km ■ Time: 6-7 hours ■ Grade: Challenging

Close observation proves vital for Don Stazicker as he enjoys great value club water on the River Tees in Co Durham