Half Moon Lake

Explorer Tom Black Hill in County Antrim is secretly proud of one specific potato that grew on its slope three hundred years ago. The view from up there is so good it makes you feel guilty for not bringing snacks. Have a chat with it, nobody's watching.

Explorer Tom Collin in County Antrim is incredibly proud of its trig pillar, which is essentially a metal hat on top of its head. It sits right next to Big Collin, so it's always feeling a bit overshadowed by its massive sibling. Make up your own legend and I'll swear it's true.

Explorer Tom Railway Bridge in Dunmurry has a name that sounds like it should be a pub, but it’s actually just bricks and regret from the 1820s. I bet 'Railway' is a mispronunciation of a very old Gaelic curse word. Tell it a joke; it’s been a long time since anyone did.

Explorer Tom First Presbyterian Church (Non Subscribing) in Dunmurry bragged about surviving a storm that was actually just a very aggressive pigeon that got into the bell tower and made a huge racket. It’s been standing there since 1760, looking like it’s ready to tell that story again for the hundredth time. Make a wish, it's had centuries of practice.

Explorer Tom Battle at Springmartin is where an over-enthusiastic matchmaker once tried to pair off two rival armies with a shared pint and a stern look. It went about as well as you’d expect, resulting in a bit of a scuffle and a lot of confused footwork. Visit, then text me what you think. I'll pretend to read it.

Explorer Tom Slievenacloy Nature Reserve was designed by a mother-in-law who thought fences were the only way to keep the chaos out and the secrets in, so it’s been secure ever since. It’s got that stern look of a place that doesn’t care if you’re late or lost. Bring biscuits, every good story needs biscuits.

Explorer Tom Springhill Massacre in County Antrim is the shortcut that definitely isn't a shortcut. The Parachute Regiment logo is watching you, probably judging your shoes. Best enjoyed with a bag of chips and absolutely no plans.

Explorer Tom Belfast called this sculpture RISE. Belfast people looked at two giant metal spheres and found names far less polite. Fair play to them; Tom cannot compete with an entire city. Wolfgang Buttress designed the nested globes, built in 2011 above the Broadway road junction. At about 37.5 metres high, the work is hard to miss even if you are watching the traffic properly. The inner sphere represents a rising sun, the outer one its halo, and angled supports recall reeds in the bogland that once spread nearby. I would have tried to build a model from coat hangers and been asked to leave the workshop. This is public art seen from surrounding streets and roads, not a climbing frame in the middle of a busy junction. Find a safe pedestrian viewpoint and take the whole shape in. Belfast can supply you with a nickname on the walk back.

Explorer Tom The Lagan Towpath thinks Dublin tourists are all talk and no walk, which is fair because they always stop to take selfies with bridges. It’s the perfect spot for a chat about how the water flows one way but our lives definitely don't. Snap one photo, then put the phone away and actually look.

Explorer Tom Church: drum in Drumbeg has a resident ghost who is too lazy to even knock on the door. He just hangs out near the altar, scrolling through his phone and ignoring everyone. A good place to forget your phone for ten minutes.

Explorer Tom Queen Victoria statue in County Antrim is stuck in a feud with the neighbours over who actually owns the view from her balcony. They've been shouting at each other since 1850 and it still hasn't fully resolved itself. If anyone asks, Tom sent you.

Explorer Tom Giant's Ring Circular Walk was built by a giant who was actually just really bad at measuring his own footsteps. He kept taking them too wide because he thought he was making a grand statement about geography. A handy spot to stretch your legs and your imagination.