Ballyhenry Island (National Trust)

Getting out to Ballyhenry Island involves a bit of effort, but that's rather the point. This National Trust-managed spot sits in County Down, a short drive south of Downpatrick, and rewards those who bother to make the journey with genuinely unspoilt countryside and the kind of quiet you don't find near car parks. The island itself - technically a peninsula jutting into Strangford Lough - offers straightforward walking with proper views across the water. Birdwatchers absolutely thrive here. The lough attracts waders and wildfowl in serious numbers, especially winter visitors, so bring binoculars if you're at all keen.

It's not a busy tourist trap. That means no gift shop, no facilities worth mentioning, and no crowds clogging up the path. Families with older kids who can manage a decent walk will get plenty from it. Younger children might find it a bit relentless - there's not much to actually do once you've walked the loop, just stand there and look at water and birds. History types should note the island's links to early Christian settlement, though there's precious little visible evidence on the ground now.

If you're based at Castle Ward Caravan Park or Delamont Country Park nearby, Ballyhenry makes a cracking morning or afternoon detour. Allow two to three hours. The ground can be muddy even when it doesn't look wet, so proper boots matter. Best visited outside peak summer when the lough feels properly peaceful and the light's better for spotting birds.