Rhanbuoy Park, Carrickfergus

The waterfront at Rhanbuoy is properly worth the trip from Larne if you've got a morning to kill and you're after a bit of peace. It's a nature reserve that hugs the shore, and it's the sort of place where you might actually spot something - waders picking through the mud flats, perhaps, or a heron if you're lucky and keep still.

The paths are straightforward enough, nothing that'll leave your legs screaming. You're walking through scrubby woodland and open grassland with the water constantly in view, and on a clear day you can see across to the Scottish coast. It's not dramatic, but there's something quietly satisfying about it. The reserve is free to access, which helps.

This isn't a destination that'll keep you entertained for six hours. Two hours, maybe three if you're the type who stops to identify every bird call. Families with young kids will find it pleasant enough, though there's limited facilities and you'll want to bring supplies. Keen birdwatchers will get more out of it than casual walkers, truth be told.

If you're camping at Down to Earth Wild Camping nearby, Rhanbuoy makes a logical morning outing before heading into Larne for lunch. It's the sort of spot that slots nicely into a broader day rather than standing as the main event. Go when the tide's out if you want to see the mudflats properly.