Loughnamaddy

The water at Loughnamaddy sits flat and still most mornings, reflecting the Sperrin Mountains like a dark mirror. It's a proper working landscape rather than a tourist attraction - sheep graze right down to the shoreline, and locals fish here without fuss. You won't find facilities or car parks with tarmac, which is either exactly what you want or a reason to drive past.

This is walkers' territory, particularly those exploring the wider Fermanagh and Omagh countryside. The lake itself doesn't demand hours of your time - you could walk the perimeter in an afternoon depending on your route and pace - but it works brilliantly as a stop-off between longer pursuits. The approach from Omagh takes you through genuine rural Ulster, and there's something refreshing about a body of water that hasn't been gift-wrapped for visitors.

If you're based at Gortin Glen Glamping just five miles away, Loughnamaddy makes sense as a morning walk before settling into a day of proper exploring. The glamping site sits on the edge of Gortin Glen Forest Park, so you've got oak woodland and mountain views handled locally. The lake fills a different mood - more intimate, less managed. Go when the light's turning gold in late afternoon, when the water takes on different colours and the hills look properly substantial. It demands respect for the weather though; windy days can turn it grey and mean.