Castle Chester

The ruins of Castle Chester sit on a low hill just outside Larne, easy to spot if you know where to look. What's left is mostly earthworks and the foundations of what was once a proper medieval stronghold - nothing fancy, mind you, but enough to give you a real sense of where things stood centuries ago.

It's a straightforward spot for a bit of local history. The walk up takes maybe ten minutes, and from the top you get views across the surrounding countryside that justify the trip. Historians and archaeology types will find it more rewarding than casual visitors - there's not much standing stonework to wow you, so younger kids might lose interest after poking around for a quarter hour.

Bring decent shoes because the ground can be muddy even days after rain. There's no visitor centre or facilities, so go prepared. It's free to access, which is the main selling point if you're based nearby.

If you're camping at Down to Earth Wild Camping just a few miles away, it's worth the detour on a decent afternoon. Combine it with a wander round Larne itself if you need more to do. Don't expect manicured gardens or guided tours - this is archaeology in the raw, the sort of place where you piece together the story yourself from what's underfoot.