Dalzell's Hill

The walk up Dalzell's Hill near Newtownards is short but proper rewarding. You're looking at maybe twenty minutes to the summit on a clear day, and the views across County Down stretch out like someone's laid a map flat in front of you. Nothing dramatic about the height - it's not going to leave you gasping - but the perspective shifts something about how you see the landscape. Walkers will appreciate the straightforwardness of it. Families with younger kids can manage it easily without the trudge of a proper mountain walk, though it's not a destination if your crew needs constant activity.

The hill itself is the thing. There's no visitor centre or cafe, no signs telling you what you're looking at in the distance. You just get there and absorb it. That's either refreshing or underwhelming depending on what you want from an outing. On a grey day it's moody; catch it clear and you'll understand why people rate it.

If you're based at one of the nearby parks - Dunroamin Caravan Park up in Millisle is only four miles away - Dalzell's Hill works brilliantly as a morning activity before heading somewhere else. Sandycove and Springvale aren't far either. The Ards Peninsula has enough going on that you won't feel trapped if the weather turns, but this particular walk is one to do when visibility's decent. Allow an hour including the return journey and time at the top.