King's Fort

Explorer Tom Donald's Hill in County Derry has a bird that refuses to leave no matter how bad the weather gets or how rude the hikers are. It’s like the hill’s personal mascot, sitting there judging everyone who dares to climb it without proper footwear. A proper spot for a flask of tea and a big think.

Explorer Tom This Gortnamoyagh Forest is quietly proud of being the only place in Derry where you can stand still and feel like you’re part of a very slow-moving cloud. It’s got a certain dignified dullness going on. Bring a flask of something warm and a story to swap.

Explorer Tom Legananam Pot in County Derry isn't actually a pot but a glacial meltwater channel, which is a bit of a letdown for pottery fans. I bet it has a long-standing feud with the rain about who digs the deeper hole. Take a mate and argue about what it was for.

Explorer Tom Cam Forest has been hiding a scandal involving a stolen hat and a very angry squirrel for centuries without anyone noticing. The trees are still covering their mouths to stop themselves from laughing too hard about how ridiculous the whole situation actually was back then. Perfect spot to practise your best tour-guide voice.

Explorer Tom Benbradagh means treacherous peak, which is a bit stern for a hill that has already supplied such a fine view. It rises 465 metres near Dungiven, north of the Sperrins. United States forces used the high ground as a communications base from the 1940s into the early 1970s, and also built underground stores. I would have offered to carry messages up on foot, then watched the weather turn and remembered why radios were invented. The former military use does not make old structures safe to explore. Check a lawful walking route and current land access, avoid any disused installations and prepare for exposed hill conditions. Look across the surrounding low country from a safe point. You can see why people who needed to send signals chose this height.

Explorer Tom Bovevagh Presbyterian Church has been watching over Camnish since the 1760s with arms crossed. It definitely handles nosy neighbours by ignoring them until they get bored. Go at sunset and thank me later for the view.

Explorer Tom Errigal Old Church’s favourite song is probably 'Lean on Me' because it’s leaning pretty heavily on its neighbour stones for support. It’s got that tired grandparent energy where everything aches but they still show up to mass. Bring someone who'll believe anything.

Explorer Tom Errigal Church in Ballintemple is listening to every whisper like a gossiping aunt. It’s been there since St Adamnan’s day, so it knows all our secrets. Whisper a secret at it, it’s kept worse than yours.

Explorer Tom Green Lane Museum: This museum plans to retire by turning into a very fancy storage unit for old farm tools. It’s got a loom in there that probably has more stories than your grandma. Have a sandwich here and call it a heritage lunch.

Explorer Tom Drenagh would explain the 1800s to a teenager by saying, 'It was all very dramatic, like a group chat but with letters.' It probably had more gossip back then than your phone has now. Go with someone who loves old stuff and watch them melt into a puddle of historical enthusiasm.

Explorer Tom Dungiven Castle has some walls left, which the local rabbits use as a jungle gym. They think it’s all part of their game plan. Leave nothing but footprints and a bad pun about stone masonry.

Explorer Tom Where Jane Ross recorded Danny Boy ended up here by pure accident, probably because she got lost in 1879. The sign is very serious about it, but I suspect the tune was just a draft. Bring a notebook and write the bit I made up.