Newcastle

Mountains dominate everything here. The Mournes rise dramatically from the coast, their granite peaks creating one of Ireland's most striking landscapes. Newcastle sits snug between these ancient hills and a sweeping sandy bay, making it feel like nature's own amphitheatre.

Downpatrick Head beach stretches for miles. Proper golden sand that goes on forever, backed by dunes and the sort of views that make you forget about your phone for a while. The Royal County Down Golf Course spreads along the coastline - even non-golfers should walk the public paths here for the cracking views across Dundrum Bay.

Slieve Donard looms over everything at 850 metres, the highest peak in Northern Ireland. The trek up takes about three hours return, but you'll earn views across to Scotland on clear days. Tollymore Forest Park lies just inland - ancient oak woods with stone bridges that featured in Game of Thrones. Less crowded than you'd expect for somewhere so scenic.

Newcastle itself is a proper seaside town. The promenade gets busy on summer weekends, but midweek it's yours alone. Fish and chips are decent along the front, though nothing spectacular. The real draw is having the Mournes as your backyard.

Belfast's about an hour north by car. The coastal road via Kilkeel takes longer but shows off this stretch of County Down beautifully. Staying at one of the nearby parks puts you right in the sweet spot - close enough for evening strolls along the beach, far enough out to wake up to proper mountain air.