The Fisherman’s Walk, Portglenone

The Fisherman's Walk curves along the River Bann at Portglenone, a proper riverside stroll that takes you away from the main road without demanding much effort. It's nothing flashy - just a well-kept path where the water moves properly and you can actually see what's happening on it, which beats some of those overcrowded riverside walks elsewhere.

You'll get maybe forty minutes to an hour out of it depending on how often you stop. The walk itself is gentle, fine for families with younger kids or anyone who doesn't fancy anything too strenuous. If you're into spotting water birds or just need a bit of air after driving from Ballymena, this does the job. The real advantage is that it's a proper local thing - you won't find tour buses here.

Couples staying at Sunset Glamping just down the road (less than two miles away) should slot this in as a morning or evening walk before settling in. Lough Beg Glamping, five miles north, is close enough that you could make it part of a wider half-day loop if you're combining it with other spots in the area. Both glamping sites are top-rated, so you're starting from decent accommodation either way.

There's no entrance fee as far as anyone can tell - it's essentially a public riverside path. Best visited when the light's decent and the weather's not throwing a fit, which in Northern Ireland means you've got a fairly narrow window. Worth doing if you're in the area, though don't expect it to be the highlight of your trip.