Lough Alina

The water at Lough Alina sits proper still on a good day, which makes the whole thing feel quite intimate even when other people are about. It's a modest lake just outside Newry, nothing that'll take your breath away compared to some of the bigger water bodies you'll find across Northern Ireland, but that's rather the point - it's the sort of place you come to for a quiet walk rather than the postcard moment.

The lough works best if you're after a gentle loop on foot. The shoreline path gives you decent views without demanding much from you, and on a clear day you can see across the water properly. Local folk use it for a bit of fishing, which tells you something about the general peacefulness of the spot.

If you're staying at Hilltop Hideaway - that luxury pod setup a few miles away - this makes a solid afternoon outing without eating into your relaxation time. An hour's walk round the water and you're back in time for a proper tea. It's not the sort of destination you'd build a whole trip around, but combined with exploring the Mourne Mountains nearby or poking around Newry itself, it slots in nicely.

There's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of that I could find, so come prepared. Winter can be a bit bleak here; spring and autumn are when it looks its best. Families with young children might find it a touch dull if they're after something with more going on, but if you've got teenagers or keen walkers in tow, they'll appreciate the quiet.