Cornahove Lough

The water at Cornahove Lough sits still and dark, reflecting whatever sky decides to show up on the day you visit. It's a proper lake - not enormous, but substantial enough that you feel properly away from things once you're down there. The nearest town is Newry, but honestly you'd never know it from the shoreline.

This is where you go if you want to walk, think, or just sit with a flask. There's no visitor centre, no café, no facilities to speak of - which is precisely the point. The shoreline path is straightforward enough for families who don't mind a bit of mud, though it's not a manicured thing. Most people allow an hour or so, maybe ninety minutes if you're the sort who stops frequently to watch the water.

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Hilltop Hideaway is only six miles away with those private hot tubs - you could easily slot this in for an afternoon outing. The lake works well alongside other Mourne activities, though it's quieter than some of the more trodden walks in the area. Winter's actually decent here; the cold clears the head and there's rarely anyone else about.

Entry is free, and there's parking rough and ready near the access point. It won't thrill you with drama, but if you're after a genuine bit of Northern Ireland landscape without the crowds, Cornahove Lough delivers exactly that.