Scrabo Hall

The tower at Scrabo dominates the skyline above Belfast - you can spot it from miles away, perched on a hill like something from a fairy tale. It's a Victorian monument built in the 1850s to honour the 1st Marquess of Londonderry, though honestly the history matters less than the walk up to it and what you see from the top.

Getting there means a proper climb through woodland, steep enough to get your heart going but nothing technical. The reward is a 360-degree view across Belfast, the lough, and towards the Castlereagh Hills. On a clear day it's genuinely worth the huffing and puffing. The tower itself is fairly spartan inside - it's more about the location than any interactive experience.

History buffs will appreciate the Victorian engineering and the stories embedded in the monument itself. Families with older kids will manage the walk fine; younger ones might struggle with the steep sections. Walkers passing through the area absolutely should slot this in - there's good woodland paths around Scrabo Country Park too.

The nearest town is Belfast, though the site sits in Lisburn and Castlereagh territory. If you're staying at The Pods at Streamvale or Dundonald Touring Caravan Park - both less than five miles away - this makes an easy morning or afternoon excursion. Admission appears to be free, though it's worth checking the website before you go as opening times aren't reliably published. Allow an hour to ninety minutes including the climb and a proper look around.