Where to pitch a tent for checking

[Bekstar]

We are planning on going camping in school hols, have bought a great family sized tent and need to pitch it so we can see if it's all there, waterproof etc before the actual holiday. However we live in a bungalow with a tiny garden and there is jowehere around the immediate area where we can pitch it. We feel a bit self conscious pitching it in the park a d wondered if anyone knows if any reasonable flat grassed areas around Consett, Durham, Gateshead area where we won't be open to stares. So we can check it all out before the holiday.

We have always used the local park to check our tents, most people can tell you're not there to stay and only doing a test pitch/airing. The last time we had a new side awning and took the tent, awning and gazebo down to test the setup and the locals were really good about it.