Chaine Pond

The water at Chaine Pond sits perfectly still on a calm day, which isn't often around Larne, but when it does you've got yourself a proper little escape. It's a modest freshwater lake - nothing dramatic, nothing that'll make you gasp - but it's the kind of place that rewards a quiet morning walk rather than a quick snap for Instagram.

The pond itself is surrounded by decent woodland, and there's a decent path that loops around if you're after a gentle hour's ramble. It's flat terrain, so families with younger kids won't struggle, and the water attracts local birdwatchers who seem to know what they're looking for. I'd allow 45 minutes to an hour depending on pace and whether you're stopping to actually look at anything.

Honestly, it's not a destination in itself - don't make a special trip to Larne just for this. But if you're staying at Down to Earth Wild Camping nearby (which looks cracking from the reviews), or you're exploring Mid and East Antrim, it's well worth a detour. The kind of place where you remember you quite like the quiet. Free to access, no faffing about with tickets, and it clears your head before heading back to whatever else you're doing in the area. Best visited early morning or late afternoon when you've got fewer other people about.