The Great Light

You'll find this light installation on the outskirts of Belfast, in the Lisburn and Castlereagh area - a piece of public art that's accessible round the clock and won't cost you a penny. The Great Light is an enormous sculptural structure that catches you completely off guard when you stumble upon it. It's the sort of thing that works brilliantly at dusk, when the structure itself becomes luminous against the darkening sky, though it's worth visiting in daylight too just to appreciate the engineering of it all.

It's not a conventional gallery experience - there's no queuing, no gift shop, no being herded through rooms. Instead you get raw, outdoor art that sits in its landscape without apology. Photographers and Instagram types will have a field day here, but equally it appeals to anyone after a bit of visual interest without the museum fatigue. Architecture enthusiasts and design students seem to get the most from it; families with younger kids might find it a touch underwhelming if they're expecting interactive elements.

The 24/7 access is genuinely useful. Pop in for twenty minutes on your way to or from Belfast, or make an evening trip specifically when the light works its magic. If you're based at Dundonald Touring Caravan Park or The Pods at Streamvale, both within a few miles, it's an effortless detour. Allow perhaps half an hour, though you might linger longer if you're really into the thing. Worth the visit, though don't expect it to anchor a full day out.