Lower Potterswall Reservoir

You'll find this reservoir just outside Antrim, a proper working water supply that happens to offer decent walking and fishing opportunities around its banks. The water itself is the main draw - it's calm, quite scenic if you catch it on a decent day, and the surrounding countryside feels genuinely removed from the built-up bits of the borough.

Walking is the obvious activity here. The reservoir path isn't strenuous, though parts can be muddy depending on recent rain, and it gives you a solid hour or two if you pace it leisurely. Anglers come for trout fishing (you'll need a permit and the right credentials), so expect to see dedicated types with their rods and thermoses. Birdwatchers also rate it - the water attracts various species, though you'll want binoculars and patience.

Families with young children might find an hour enough before restlessness sets in; older kids who are into walking or nature will get more from it. It's not a dramatic landscape - no dramatic hills or views that make you gasp - but it's the kind of place that works perfectly for a morning stroll between other activities.

Stay at one of the nearby caravan parks like Blair's Castlewood or Six Mile Water, both highly rated and within easy reach. The reservoir fits nicely into a broader Antrim area visit rather than being a full-day destination on its own. Check NI Water's website for current access details and any permit requirements before you head over.