Glenarm Marina

The marina at Glenarm sits right where the Glenarm River meets the sea, and it's a proper working harbour rather than a glitzed-up tourist trap. You get fishing boats actually going about their business, a handful of pleasure vessels, and that genuinely salty smell that means you're somewhere real. The walk along the waterfront is pleasant enough - nothing spectacular, but the kind of place where you can stand and watch the water for ten minutes without feeling you've wasted your time.

It's ideal if you're staying at Ocean View Pods just half a mile away and fancy stretching your legs without venturing far. The village itself is small, and the marina is its beating heart. There's a village shop and a few spots to grab food, though don't expect anything fancy. Kids will tolerate it for a bit - paddling, throwing stones (appropriately), watching boats - but it's not going to keep them occupied for hours. Walkers passing through from Ballymena, which sits inland to the south, might find it a worthwhile detour, particularly if the weather's good.

There's no admission charge and no set opening hours to speak of - it's a working harbour, so you can wander down whenever. Allow half an hour to an hour if you're not eating, longer if you stop for a meal. The real value is as a gentle waypoint on a broader holiday exploring the Mid and East Antrim coastline, not as a destination in itself.