Cregagh Wood

The woodland around Cregagh sits just outside Ballycastle, and if you're staying at Watertop Farm or exploring the Causeway Coast, it's absolutely worth a morning's ramble. This isn't a manicured attraction with visitor centres and gift shops - it's proper woodland walking territory, the kind of place where you'll actually see what the landscape looks like when left to its own devices.

The trails wind through mixed woodland with decent views across the North Antrim landscape. It's not dramatic or famous, which is precisely why it works so well. You get the breathing space that the bigger tourist spots around Bushmills and the Giant's Causeway don't offer. Bring decent boots if there's been rain - the paths can get boggy - and allow a good hour and a half if you want to do the main circuit without rushing.

Families with older kids will fare better here than those with toddlers. The terrain is variable, and there's a genuine walk involved rather than a gentle stroll. It's the sort of place that appeals to people who actually enjoy being outdoors rather than ticking off a checklist.

The beauty of Cregagh is its accessibility from Ballycastle without the crowds. Go early morning or late afternoon if you can, and don't expect dramatic viewpoints - expect moss-covered stones, birdsong, and the kind of quiet that makes you remember why you booked a holiday in the first place.