Easington, County Durham

Easington occupies elevated ground above the Durham coast, about 15 miles southeast of Sunderland. This former pit village sits amongst rolling countryside that drops away to dramatic limestone cliffs and the North Sea. The A19 provides the main access route, turning east through Peterlee on local roads, whilst the B1283 threads through the village centre connecting coastal settlements from Seaham to Hartlepool. The medieval heart clusters around St Mary's Church, which houses remarkable 12th-century stone carvings depicting scenes from daily medieval life.