Legananny Dolmen

You'll spot this Bronze Age tomb long before you reach it - three massive stone slabs propped against each other like a giant's discarded building blocks, standing alone on open moorland near Castlewellan. Legananny Dolmen is one of Northern Ireland's finest prehistoric monuments, and the walk to it is half the appeal. The site sits about 15 minutes' hike from the car park, climbing gradually through rough grassland with views across the Mourne Mountains that only get better as you gain height.

Once there, the scale of it stops you. These aren't random rocks - they're a 4,000-year-old burial chamber, probably once covered by an earthen mound that's long since eroded away. You can walk right up and touch them, clamber underneath if you're not too tall. It's the kind of place that makes you think about the hands that built this, and why they chose this particular spot.

Histor enthusiasts will get the most out of it, though walkers love the location regardless. Kids tend to enjoy the scramble up and the chance to actually interact with something genuinely ancient, not just read about it behind glass. There's no visitor centre or interpretation boards to speak of, so bring a decent guidebook or look it up beforehand if you want context.

It's free and open year-round. Allow an hour including the walk. Both Slieve Croob Camping and Pine Tree Hollow Glamping are within easy reach, making this a solid addition to a Mourne Mountains park holiday.