1st Donegore Presbyterian Church

The modest whitewashed building sitting on Donegore Hill, just outside Antrim, is one of Northern Ireland's oldest Presbyterian churches - dating back to 1654. It's genuinely small, which rather adds to its appeal if you're into ecclesiastical history. The interior is simple and unfussy, with dark wooden pews and plain walls that speak to the austere traditions of early Presbyterianism. What draws people here isn't fussy decoration or tourist infrastructure - there's none of that - but rather the sense of stepping into a space where worshippers have gathered for nearly 370 years.

Historically minded visitors and those with connections to Presbyterian heritage will find it worthwhile. Families with young children might manage twenty minutes before restlessness sets in, unless they're genuinely interested in old buildings. The churchyard holds some weathered gravestones worth a wander if you enjoy gravestone rubbing and genealogy.

Access and facilities are minimal - it's advisable to check locally before visiting, as opening hours aren't widely advertised and services take priority. The setting on Donegore Hill itself offers decent views across County Antrim, so the walk up justifies the trip even if you can't get inside.

If you're basing yourself at Blair's Castlewood or Six Mile Water Caravan Park just five or six miles away, this makes an easy half-hour detour when exploring Antrim's quieter corners. It's the sort of place you visit for the atmosphere and history rather than active entertainment - and on that front, it delivers.