Drumawhey Junction Railway

A narrow-gauge railway line runs through the countryside near Newtownards, and Drumawhey Junction is where you can actually get aboard and rattle along the track. It's a proper nostalgic affair - the kind of place that appeals to railway enthusiasts and families after something a bit different from the usual theme park fare.

The whole operation is run by volunteers, which gives it that wonderfully ramshackle charm. You'll see vintage locomotives and period carriages, and the short journey itself is the main event rather than any white-knuckle rides or arcade games. Kids tend to love it if they're into trains, though if your lot demands constant stimulation, they might find twenty minutes on the rails a bit thin.

Give yourself about two hours all in - there's time for a decent look around the small collection of stock before and after your journey. It's free to wander and poke about, though check the website for current opening hours and whether there's a charge for riding the trains, as details shift seasonally.

If you're staying at Dunroamin Caravan Park in Millisle, just three miles away, or at Sandycove further afield, this makes an easy afternoon outing without eating into your holiday budget. Pair it with coastal walks around the peninsula and you've got a solid day sorted. Not groundbreaking, but proper value for a rainy Irish afternoon.