The Bet McLean Oval

The Bet McLean Oval is where Lisburn takes its cricket seriously. It's a proper ground - well-maintained pitches, proper pavilion, the sort of place that hums with activity during the summer season. You'll find club cricket matches throughout the week, and if you time it right, you might catch some decent competitive play.

This is absolutely one for the cricket enthusiast. If your kids play the game or have even a passing interest, you can watch matches for free from the boundary. During the off-season it's quieter, but the ground itself is open to wander round. It's about a fifteen-minute drive from Belfast city centre, so easy enough to slot into a broader trip.

Where it sits in a caravan holiday really depends on your crowd. Dundonald Touring Caravan Park is just over three miles away - genuinely handy if you've got the cricket bug and want to base yourself nearby for a week of matches. The Pods at Streamvale, the glamping spot even closer, would suit families after something different alongside the outdoor stuff. Neither park makes the Oval a headline reason to visit Northern Ireland, but if you're staying locally and someone in the family plays or watches cricket, it's well worth checking the fixture list. The ground has character without being a tourist draw, which is fair enough - it's a working sports facility, not a visitor attraction dressed up as one.