Drumacon Lough

The water at Drumacon Lough sits perfectly still on a grey morning, reflecting the sky back at you like a sheet of dark glass. It's a proper working lake - nothing sanitised or packaged up for tourists - with reedy banks and the sort of quiet that makes you understand why people move to this corner of Northern Ireland.

What you get here depends entirely on what you want to do. Walkers come for the circuit around the shoreline, which takes a decent hour and doesn't require anything fancy in the way of boots or preparation. The views open up gradually as you go, and on a clear day you can see right across toward the Mourne Mountains. Fishermen know this place well - it's a proper fishing spot, not a photo opportunity.

If you're staying at somewhere like Hilltop Hideaway just down the road, Drumacon makes a sensible morning or evening outing without eating up half your day. You won't find cafes or facilities - bring what you need. It's the sort of place that feels genuinely used by locals rather than laid on for visitors, which is exactly its appeal.

You'll get the most from it if you're after a quiet walk with some history attached - this corner of County Down has layers - rather than a full day's activity. An hour or so and you've had the experience. Worth the drive from Newry if you're in the area, but don't reroute your entire holiday for it.