Lough Allen

The water at Lough Allen sits proper still most days, reflecting the Sperrin Mountains in a way that feels almost too clean to be real. It's a long, narrow lake stretching north-south between low hills, and honestly, it's the kind of place you'd stumble upon rather than drive hours to find.

There's a decent walking trail that runs along the eastern shore - takes about two hours if you keep a steady pace, or longer if you dawdle and actually look at things. The path gets close enough to the water that you'll spook the occasional heron, and the Sperrins rising up on the far side give it proper drama without feeling showy. Cookstown sits about five miles south, so it's easily reached from there for an afternoon sortie.

Who'd enjoy it most? Walkers and birdwatchers, definitely. Photographers too - the light does something strange here, especially late afternoon. Families with younger kids might find an hour around the water enough before restlessness sets in, though there's a picnic spot or two if you fancy staying longer. It's free, obviously, and open whenever you fancy turning up.

Stay at Sperrinview Glamping just down the road and you've got yourself a proper Ulster lake break. The Sperrin range dominates the landscape up here, and Lough Allen gives you a different angle on those hills than you'd get from anywhere else in the area. Not flashy, but worth the walk.