The Abingdon Collection

The Abingdon Collection sits in Omagh, a proper treasure trove if you're into Irish history and decorative arts. What you're looking at is a private museum housing an impressive range of artefacts - everything from fine furniture to paintings, ceramics and textiles collected over decades. It's the sort of place where you can spend a good two hours if you're genuinely interested, or breeze through in forty minutes if you're just after a quick cultural fix.

This appeals most to history buffs and anyone with a soft spot for period interiors. Kids won't be bored exactly, but they'll need to be the sort who can appreciate a room full of antique chairs without touching them. The collection tells you something real about Irish taste and wealth over the centuries, which beats a generic gallery hands down.

Omagh itself is a working market town with decent cafes and shops, so you can pair a visit with a proper browse around the place. If you're staying at Gortin Glen Glamping just up the road - less than four miles away - this makes a good rainy-day outing or a half-day addition to a walking week. The Sperrins hills dominate the landscape here, so you've got proper outdoor stuff to balance the indoor time.

Best to ring ahead or check their website before you go, as opening hours can be patchy. Admission details vary, so don't assume it's free. Worth the detour if period furnishings and Irish material culture interest you. If not, your time is better spent in the hills.