The Mount

The Mount rises above Ballymena like a proper vantage point should - nothing fancy, just good bones and a decent climb that rewards you with views across Mid and East Antrim. It's the kind of spot locals know but tourists often miss, which is exactly why it's worth the walk.

You get sweeping vistas across the countryside from up there, the kind that make sense of the landscape's layout. On a clear day you can see a fair distance, though I won't pretend it's dramatic mountain scenery - this is gently rolling terrain with real depth to it. The walk itself is straightforward enough, nothing that'll tire you out if you're reasonably fit.

Historians might get a kick out of the fact it's been a significant viewpoint for centuries, though there's not much interpretation on site to spell that out. Families with older kids who don't mind a bit of legwork will find it worthwhile. Younger ones might lose interest once they've caught their breath at the top, so manage expectations accordingly.

Because Ocean View Pods sits practically on your doorstep just 0.2 miles away, this makes an excellent morning outing if you're based there. You could knock it out before breakfast and still have the rest of the day open. It's free, naturally - just turn up and go. Allow an hour return if you're not rushing, bit more if you want to sit and actually take in the surroundings.