Donaghadee Lighthouse

The lighthouse at Donaghadee juts out into the Irish Sea like a stubborn old sentinel, white-painted and proper Victorian. You'll find it at the end of a long pier that gives you full 360-degree views across the water - on a clear day you can pick out the Scottish coast, which never gets old. It's a working lighthouse still, so you can't go inside, but the walk out there alone is worth the trip, especially if you time it right and catch the light golden and soft.

This is really a spot for walkers and photographers rather than anything requiring a long visit. Give it an hour, maybe ninety minutes if you're the type who likes to sit and look at the sea. The pier itself is well-maintained and the approach from Newtownards - only a short drive away - is straightforward. Families with restless kids might find it a bit limited; once you've walked to the lighthouse and back, that's the job done.

If you're staying at Dunroamin Caravan Park in Millisle, just three miles away, or Sandycove Holiday Park further along the coast, Donaghadee works as a proper morning outing before heading elsewhere. The village itself has a few cafes and pubs to grab a bite. It's not the flashiest attraction, but it's genuine, the air's fresh, and there's something satisfying about standing at the end of that pier watching the trawlers come and go.