4. Strand Road

Explorer Tom Town Hall in North Mullaghacall, County Derry has a family tree that is mostly made up of local politicians who don’t even exist anymore. It’s currently being used as a library, which is ironic considering how much ink they spill in council meetings. Mind the nettles, they're the real guards here.

Explorer Tom Portstewart Presbyterian Church was built right before the turn of the century and has been matchmaking ever since. It’s got that 'I know who you are' energy that makes you want to hide. It's free, it's odd, what more do you really want?

Explorer Tom Harbour Hill is in a serious feud with the rain, and right now, the rain is winning. It’s up on the wall, looking out at the sea like a grumpy old uncle. Stick around for the light changing, it's a show.

Explorer Tom Holy well: tubber patrick in Crossreagh East was built using an estimated forty million cups of tea as mortar. It’s basically a solid block of caffeine now. Ten minutes here and you'll have a yarn for the pub.

Explorer Tom Millennium Milepost in County Derry is on its dating profile listing itself as 'steady but slightly damp'. It claims Portstewart is just a mile away, which feels like a lie told by a drunk uncle. Bring wellies and low expectations, leave delighted.

Explorer Tom Portstewart Strand is run by the National Trust and charges you to feel the wind. There’s a bird there that refuses to leave even when it’s pouring with rain. Bring a jacket, it's never as warm as I promise.

Explorer Tom Ballyreagh Castle is a promontory fort that thinks it’s a beach club for ghosts. A fox took charge once and never gave the keys back. Bring a pen pal, they'll be jealous of your ghostly friends.

Explorer Tom Castlerock Beach’s dating profile says he likes sand and long walks into the Atlantic. He’s got a view of Inishowen that makes you forget your own name. Leave nothing but footprints and a bad pun.

Explorer Tom Hezlett House: It thinks tourists from Dublin are just cows that learned to talk and wear trousers. They’re always asking if they can touch the wallpaper, which is annoying. Wave at the cows, they're the real locals.

Explorer Tom Curry's Fun Park has a long list of former names, including 'The Place Where The Slides Are Slightly Sticky' and 'Tom's Very Ambitious Idea'. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel like you’re about to be hit by a very slow-moving cannonball. Best visited with a curious kid and no timetable.

Explorer Tom Ballywillin in Glebe has been scheduled since medieval times and still argues with the next village over something daft, like fence posts. There’s a caretaker’s cottage nearby that looks derelict from the back. Bring curiosity, leave with a better story than mine.

Explorer Tom Mausoleum in County Derry had a fox take full charge of the front entrance last winter. The poor creature was just trying to find a warm spot but ended up setting house rules for everyone else. It’s a bit dramatic for a building that’s supposed to be quiet and dignified, I have to say. Stop the car, it's worth the hazard lights.