Castlewellan

The Mourne Mountains rise like ancient guardians around this County Down market town, their granite slopes catching morning light in ways that make you understand why CS Lewis found inspiration here. Castlewellan sits snug in a valley where the mountains meet gentler rolling countryside, with the town's wide main square giving it an unusually grand feel for somewhere this size.

Tollymore Forest Park sprawls just south of town - proper walking country with red deer roaming between the towering conifers and the Shimna River cutting through it all. The park's Victorian follies and stone bridges make every ramble feel like stepping into a fairy tale. For something completely different, Whitewater Brewing Co. has made quite a name for itself, turning out craft beers that pack serious flavour.

McCartan's Castle tells the area's older story - what's left of a 16th-century tower house that once controlled this strategic valley route. The surrounding lakes like Ballylough and Mill Pond offer peaceful spots for a picnic, while Dunmore Mountain and Edenarrif Mountain provide proper hill walking for those after bigger views.

Getting here is straightforward enough - about 40 minutes south of Belfast via the A24, with Newcastle on the coast just 15 minutes away if you fancy fish and chips by the sea. The various caravan parks dotted around make excellent sense as a base, putting you within easy reach of both mountain adventures and coastal days out. Tollymore Campsite gets you closest to the forest trails, while others like Mourneview offer mountain views from your pitch.