Lisamry Lough

The water here is properly still on a calm day - so still you can't tell where the lake ends and the sky begins. Lisamry Lough sits quiet near Newry, the kind of place you stumble upon rather than plan for. It's a modest freshwater lake, nothing dramatic, but that's rather the point.

Walkers tend to gravitate here. The shoreline's manageable and the paths around it don't demand serious hill fitness, making it decent for families with younger legs. Birdwatchers come too - the reeds and open water attract dabbling ducks and the occasional heron if you're patient. You're looking at an hour to ninety minutes to properly walk the perimeter, longer if you potter.

There's no visitor centre or café, which means you'll need to sort your own supplies before heading out. It's free to access, and you can turn up whenever - though early morning or dusk are when you'll actually see wildlife rather than just stare at an empty bank.

If you're staying at Hilltop Hideaway just down the road, this makes a lovely morning walk before heading back for the hot tub. It's not a day-long attraction - be realistic about that - but it works brilliantly as a quiet break from the bigger Mourne Mountains hikes nearby. The water's the main draw here, nothing more, nothing less. Worth a detour if you're in the area, but don't build a holiday around it.