Black Hill

The walk up Black Hill from Ballymena is straightforward enough, but don't expect the sort of tourist infrastructure you'd find at better-known peaks. It's a proper hill walk - nothing technical, just decent views across Mid and East Antrim if the weather plays ball. The summit itself is unremarkable: a cairn, some rough grass, the usual. Worth doing if you're based nearby, particularly if you've got walkers in the group who want something achievable in an afternoon.

Allow a couple of hours return trip from the car park, depending on fitness. There's no entrance fee - it's just open moorland - which keeps things simple. Bring decent boots though; the ground gets boggy in places, and the wind can pick up unexpectedly at height.

As a leg-stretcher between the coast and Ballymena itself, it makes sense on a holiday itinerary. If you're staying at Ocean View Pods, it's well-placed for a morning walk before heading elsewhere. Kids will manage it fine if they're used to hills, but there's nothing here to hold their attention for long once they've reached the top. The views aren't spectacular enough to justify the effort unless you're the type who enjoys walking for walking's sake. On a clear day it's pleasant; on a grey one, which is frequent enough, it's rather dull.