Burren Lough

The water here sits in a proper shallow bowl of land, ringed by low hills and bog. Burren Lough, tucked between Lisburn and Castlereagh just outside Hillsborough, is the kind of place you stumble upon rather than plan for - which is exactly when it works best.

It's a modest lake, really. No dramatic cliffs or tourist infrastructure, just open water with reedy margins and a sense of genuine quietness. The walk around it takes a couple of hours at a relaxed pace, and the ground can get boggy underfoot after rain, so proper footwear matters. Birdwatchers find it worthwhile - coots, mallards, and the occasional heron patrol the shallows. If you're after mountain vistas or Instagram moments, look elsewhere. But if you want to walk somewhere real without crowds, this delivers.

Families with younger kids might find it a bit undramatic - there's no tearoom, no visitor centre, no activities beyond the walk itself. Older children and serious walkers will get more from it. The lack of commercial fuss is precisely the appeal.

Stay at Lakeside View Caravan Park just 2.5 miles away and you're well-positioned for this and the surrounding countryside. Slieve Croob Camping, five miles off, is excellent too if you fancy a higher-rated base. Spring and early summer are best - the light's better and the bog less treacherous. Free to visit, naturally.