Dundrum Castle Woods.

The woods around Dundrum Castle are the sort of place you stumble upon while driving through County Down and think, hang on, let's have a look at that. The castle itself - a Norman ruin perched on a rocky outcrop - sits above the woodland, and the trees wrap around it like they're slowly reclaiming what was once a proper stronghold. You can wander through the woods without much direction, following rough paths that lead you deeper in, with glimpses of the ruin appearing through the branches as you move around the site.

It's decent for a couple of hours if you're based nearby in Newcastle or staying at one of the caravan parks clustered within a few miles - Mourneview or Murlough Cottage are handily close. Walkers will enjoy it more than most; there's enough woodland to justify the trip, and the castle ruin gives you a reason to be there beyond just trees. Kids might find it a bit slow unless they're the type who like clambering over old stones and pretending to defend a fortress.

The whole area around here - with Tollymore Campsite and Enniskeen Estate just a bit further out - works well as part of a longer poke around the Mourne foothills. Admission details are thin on the ground, but don't let that stop you. It's the kind of place that repays a quiet morning before heading elsewhere, not a day-long destination in itself. Proper atmosphere though, especially when the light filters through the branches.