Lieutenant Hill

The walk up Lieutenant Hill takes you out of Belfast's sprawl and onto proper countryside within minutes. It's a modest height - nothing that'll test your legs for long - but the reward is a view back across the city and out towards the hills beyond. Clear days here are genuinely worth planning around.

This isn't a dramatic peak or a tourist honeypot. You'll find locals out walking dogs and the occasional jogger, which tells you everything about the place. The summit itself is unremarkable in the way that many Northern Irish hilltops are - good grass, wind that catches you off guard, nothing fancy. But that's the appeal if you're after a proper walk without the crowds or the Instagram setup.

Allow yourself about an hour there and back from Lisburn and Castlereagh, depending on fitness and pace. It's the sort of place that works brilliantly as a morning outing before or after a park stay - both Dundonald Touring Caravan Park and The Pods at Streamvale glamping sit within easy driving distance. Family groups will manage it without fuss, though younger children might need a bit of encouragement on the return leg.

Go when the light is sharp - winter mornings or early autumn bring the best clarity. Summer can feel a bit hazy. There's no infrastructure up there, so bring water and dress for the wind, which is genuine. It's a working walk rather than a destination, but sometimes that's exactly what a holiday needs.