Burnside Beach

The shingle beach at Burnside stretches out grey and honest, backed by cliffs that rise sharply enough to make you feel properly tucked away from the world. This is a nature reserve, so it's not the place for ice cream kiosks and deckchairs - it's raw coastline, the kind where you actually notice the wind and the sound of shale shifting underfoot.

What you get here is access to some genuine intertidal habitat. The rocks and pools support all sorts of marine life if you're prepared to hunt for it, which makes it brilliant for kids who still get excited about finding a starfish or a crab. Adults after a proper walk will appreciate the clifftop paths and the views back towards Larne. The shingle can be tough on the ankles, so wear decent shoes.

There's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of - you need to be self-sufficient. Free to visit, obviously. Allow a couple of hours if you're serious about exploring the pools and cliffs, or a brisk 45 minutes if you just want the walk and views.

It works well as part of a broader coastal trail in the area. Stay at Down to Earth Wild Camping six miles away and you've got yourself a proper outdoor break - the kind where you're actually doing something rather than just being somewhere. The reserve feels genuinely like an escape, not a beauty spot that's been tidied up for tourists.