Mourne Park, Woodland Trust

The woodland trails at Mourne Park wind through proper mature forest, the sort where you can actually hear yourself think. It's a Woodland Trust reserve just outside Kilkeel, so if you're based at one of the caravan parks nearby - Sandilands or Cranfield are closest - it's a straightforward drive or decent walk depending on your mood.

What you get here is straightforward woodland rambling. There are paths through beech and oak, some sections open enough that kids won't feel hemmed in, others dense enough to feel like you've actually escaped somewhere. The reserve isn't trying to be anything other than what it is: a place to walk, breathe clean air, and spot the occasional bird or rabbit if you're lucky.

It works best if you're after a couple of hours of gentle exercise rather than a destination day out. An hour and a half will cover the main loops without feeling rushed. The terrain is manageable - nothing dramatic, though it can be muddy after rain, so proper boots are worth it.

Families with younger kids might find it a bit samey after the first half hour, but older children who actually enjoy walking will get on fine. It's the sort of place where you go because you want to be in the woods, not because there's much to photograph or show off about afterwards.

Access should be free - Woodland Trust reserves typically are - though I'd check their website to be sure before heading out. Early morning or late afternoon is when you're most likely to see wildlife.