Coolnamurtum Lough

The water at Coolnamurtum Lough sits grey and still most days, ringed by low hills that don't announce themselves loudly but grow on you after a while. It's the sort of place you'd miss entirely if someone hadn't mentioned it, which is rather the point. The lough itself is modest - nothing like the dramatic expanses you get further into Fermanagh - but that's what makes it work. There's a decent walk around the perimeter if you're after a couple of hours away from the car, and the banks are manageable even if the weather's turned a bit rough.

Walkers will find their feet here more than anyone else. The paths aren't manicured, and you won't find a café halfway round, which filters out the casual crowd. Families with younger kids might manage a shorter stretch along one side, but it's not a destination for a quick half-hour stroll. Birdwatchers should bring binoculars - the lough draws waterfowl, and it's quiet enough that you might actually spot something worthwhile.

Omagh is only a short drive west, so this sits nicely as an add-on if you're based in the area. If you're stopping at Gortin Glen Glamping nearby, you've got a proper outdoor setup - Coolnamurtum works as a second day's activity when you've exhausted the glamping site's immediate surroundings. It won't change your life, but on a clear day with decent light, it's exactly what you came to Northern Ireland for. Honest rather than showy.