Lough Natullig

The water at Lough Natullig sits dark and still, ringed by rough moorland that rolls away toward the Antrim hills. It's a proper upland lake - not the kind you stumble upon by accident - and that's partly what makes it worth seeking out. You won't find manicured paths or visitor centres here. What you get instead is the real thing: a quiet stretch of water where the only sounds are wind, the occasional splash, and whatever birds happen to be passing through.

The lake itself is modest in size, but the setting lifts it entirely. Walkers make up the real audience here, particularly those tackling routes across the surrounding moorland between Ballymena and the higher peaks. The walk-in takes effort - nothing technical, but you're looking at a proper trudge across open ground - which means the crowds thin out fast. Bring good boots and weather-appropriate kit. Summer offers the gentlest approach, though spring and autumn have their own appeal if you don't mind the damp.

This isn't a destination for sitting about with a picnic, and kids will probably get restless after twenty minutes or so unless they're genuinely into wild places. But if you're staying at Ocean View Pods nearby and fancy a half-day walk that rewards you with genuine isolation and moody landscape views, Lough Natullig delivers exactly that. Free, obviously - it's a lough - and you can spend as long as you want up there. Allow three to four hours if you're taking your time.