Murlough Nature Reserve

Sand dunes stretch for miles along this wild stretch of County Down coastline, where the Mournes meet the Irish Sea in proper dramatic fashion. Murlough is Ireland's first nature reserve, and you can see why - those rolling dunes and the beach beyond feel wonderfully untamed compared to the manicured seafronts elsewhere.

Walking here is the real draw. The dune paths wind through marram grass and wildflowers, with brilliant views across to the Isle of Man on clear days. Bird watchers do well here too - I've spotted everything from skylarks to the odd seal bobbing offshore. The beach itself runs for about six miles, so there's plenty of space even when Newcastle gets busy in summer.

Kids will love scrambling about the dunes, though keep an eye on the smaller ones as some slopes are steeper than they look. The paths can get muddy after rain, so decent footwear helps. Allow at least two hours if you want to explore properly, longer if you fancy a proper coastal walk.

Staying nearby makes perfect sense - you're right on the doorstep of both the Mournes and this cracking bit of coast. Tollymore Forest Park is just up the road too, so you can easily mix mountain walking with seaside rambles.