The best walks and hikes around Ards

The Caledon Beam Engine is an exciting relic from another era that will accompany you on your tour through the Northern Ireland countryside. Nestled in the remains of an old wool mill, the beam engine tells of an era when the pounding and banging of machines shaped everyday life. Today it stands almost forgotten by the roadside and is a reminder of the region's industrial past. The ruin has its own charm - rusty gears, weathered walls and a feeling of time standing still. If you want to pause for a moment to take in the surroundings, this is an ideal place to dismount for a moment. This is not about perfectly restored monuments, but about the raw charm and stories that such places carry. Look out for the old inscriptions and the signs of decay that give the Beam Engine an almost sculptural appearance. This place is a silent witness to a time long gone and offers you a welcome change from the wide fields and winding roads of the region.

Emy Lough is a picturesque lake that makes a perfect spot to stop for a picnic or even a swim on those sunny days!

As you step through the magnificent gate, you will be enveloped by the timelessness of this historic place. The old walls, which shine in the sun, tell stories from times long past and invite you to discover them. The municipality has enriched this treasure trove of history with a library and a museum that attract knowledge seekers and history lovers. In the quiet rooms of the library you can leaf through old writings and be transported back to times gone by, while the museum brings the history of the place and its people to life. After a journey of discovery through history and culture, the Priorat's café beckons with its seductive scent of freshly brewed coffee. Here, in an ambience that wonderfully combines modernity and history, you can take a little time out. Choose from comfortable seating inside or settle on one of the terraces to soak up the rays while munching on delicious pastries. But the Priory has even more to offer. A dreamy little walkway winds from the building down to the river. A path lined with blooming flowers and old trees that acts as an invitation to explore this wonderful terrain in all its splendor.

A well-designed information board welcomes you directly on the shore and will introduce you to the lake and the surrounding forest like an experienced guide. Using carefully chosen words and images, she traces the fishing history of Brantry Lough - from the first people who fished here with simple nets to the modern anglers who live out their passion for the sport here today. The board takes you into a world rich in biodiversity. You will be amazed at the variety of fish that swim in these waters and the stories each of them has to tell. From the iridescent brown trout that deftly meander through the aquatic plants to the smaller species that reside in the deeper areas of the lake.

Surrounded by rolling hills and lush green meadows, this lake reflects the sky in its clear waters and holds a special promise for those dedicated to the art of fishing. The waters of Brantry Lough are rich in brown trout. Skillfully moving through the depths of the lake, these dazzling fish are stocked all year round and are the pride of the lough. Not only do they offer a challenge for experienced anglers, but also a fascinating observation for nature lovers. Especially at daybreak or in the quiet hours of the evening, when the water is calm and the air is filled with an expectant silence, you can see boats gently rocking on the lake. These belong to enthusiastic fishermen who have come hoping for the perfect catch. The tranquil atmosphere, broken only by the occasional splash of a fishing hook thrown into the water, makes Brantry Lough a place for relaxation and reflection.

This handsome looking weir stretches across the river like a silent sentinel, capturing the clear waters of the Blackwater as they glisten in the sun and bathe the surrounding area in a calming sound. Next to the weir there is a green oasis in which time seems to stand still. Lush green areas, peppered with scattered trees, invite you to linger. Picnic benches, strategically placed, offer the ideal place to watch the water play at the weir, let your thoughts wander and unwind. Here, on the banks of the Blackwater, you can escape everyday life for a moment and lose yourself in the peaceful atmosphere of the park.

Brantry Lough is a fantastic fishing lake situated just north of Creevelough in County Tyrone. The waters provide a great supply of brown trout that's stocked all year around bringing keen fishermen and their boats to the shores

The last housed beam engine in Ireland is a significant piece of industrial and social history. The Caldon Beam Engine has been preserved since the Woollen Mill was destroyed in 1985.