Manicured Mount Stewart, delectable Castle Leslie and the magnificent Castlewellan Forest Park........

Where are the best places for heritage houses and gardens?

With history embedded into the architecture of the area, there really is a vast array of amazing homes and gardens to choose from. Two fine examples include Mount Stewart near Newtownards, a beautiful National Trust property that was once home to Lord Castlereagh; and Castle Leslie in County Monaghan, which will take your breath away as you walk around the estate boasting three lakes, rolling parkland and the woods of Truagh dating back to Celtic times. For more heritage buildings, click here.

What about the natural highlights?

For those with a longing to get back to nature, Castlewellan Forest Park is just one of many fabulous nature trails and is a glorious spot to immerse yourself in all the wonderful trappings of outdoor life, including fishing, nature watching, pony trekking and even a spot of canoeing! Meanwhile, Groomsport Harbour in Bangor is an ideal spot for birdwatching. For more forest walks, click here.