Carrickfergus Museum

The castle itself is what draws you in at Carrickfergus - that Norman keep rising up from the shoreline just outside Larne is genuinely impressive. But the museum housed inside tells the story of this place properly, taking you through centuries of Irish and Scottish history without being preachy about it. You'll see weapons, manuscripts, domestic objects that actually make you think about the people who lived here rather than just gawping at stonework.

It's a solid couple of hours if you're thorough, less if you're just browsing. History enthusiasts will spend longer with the displays - the sections on medieval life and the various sieges are well-done - but families with younger kids might find the castle itself more engaging than the exhibits indoors. The views across the lough from the ramparts are worth the climb alone, and on a clear day you can see right across.

The location makes it easy to fit into a wider day around Mid and East Antrim. If you're wild camping at Down to Earth just five miles away, Carrickfergus works nicely as a morning stop before heading elsewhere. Parking at the castle is straightforward. Worth ringing ahead to check current hours and admission fees, but frankly even if there's a small charge, the castle experience alone justifies the visit. Don't skip the walk around the outer walls - that's where you get a proper sense of the place.