Lough Erne

Two vast stretches of water split by a narrow channel - that's Lough Erne, and it's proper worth making space for if you're staying anywhere near Hillsborough. The upper and lower loughs run for miles, lined with islands, ancient sites, and fishing spots that locals have been coming back to for decades.

You won't find a theme park atmosphere here. What you get instead is the real thing: rowing clubs, pontoons where you can hire boats, and long stretches of bank where walkers and fishermen spend whole afternoons. The medieval ruins scattered across various islands add a layer of interest if history pulls you in, though you'll need a boat to reach most of them. Families with older kids enjoy the boat trips and gentle shoreline walks; younger children might find it a bit slow after the first twenty minutes.

If you're based at Lakeside View Caravan Park - just under three miles away - you're brilliantly positioned to explore without much fuss. Bring binoculars. Bring a picnic. Bring patience if the weather turns, because Northern Irish weather has a habit of doing that. The lough doesn't demand hours of your time, but a morning's walk along the shore or an afternoon messing about on the water sits perfectly alongside a broader park holiday in the area. Free to access, naturally - you only pay if you're hiring boats or taking organised tours.