Castle Ward

The first thing that strikes you about Castle Ward is how bloody massive it is. This isn't some crumbling ruin you peer at through a fence - it's a proper working estate with 332 acres of grounds that sprawl down towards Strangford Lough. The house itself is a study in architectural contradiction: the owner's wife fancied classical symmetry, he wanted Gothic drama, so they each got half. Stand in front and you'll see exactly what I mean - one side all neat proportions, the other all turrets and castellations.

You can wander the grounds for free, which is the main draw. There's enough woodland, lakeside paths and weird follies dotted about to keep families occupied for a solid afternoon, especially if you've got kids who'll tire out after two hours of walking anyway. The house interior requires paid admission and honestly, it's worth a look if you're into 18th-century domestic life and fancy furnishings, but the gardens are the real reason to come.

Downpatrick's just a few miles south, so this works as a natural half-day stop en route to somewhere else. The caravan parks nearby - Castle Ward's right on the doorstep, and Delamont four miles off - make it convenient for a longer stay. Autumn's best: the crowds thin out and the light across the lough gets properly atmospheric. Summer gets rammed with school groups. Allow two to three hours minimum if you're just doing the grounds, longer if you want the full experience.