County Tyrone, the largest county in Northern Ireland, is a land of untamed beauty and ancient, layered history. At its heart lies the magnificent Sperrin Mountains, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty where heather-clad peaks and dramatic glens create a landscape of extraordinary serenity. From the prehistoric mysteries of the Beaghmore stone circles to the living history of the Ulster American Folk Park, Tyrone offers a deeply rewarding journey through the very soul of the Ulster countryside.
The county’s landscape is profoundly shaped by the Sperrins, a range of ancient mountains that offers some of the most scenic drives and walking trails on the island. These peaks, carved by the last Ice Age, cradle hidden wonders like the Beaghmore Stone Circles, a complex Bronze-Age site whose silent stones still align with the sun and moon. This sense of timelessness continues in the lush, wooded valleys of Gortin Glen Forest Park, where tranquil forest tracks lead to panoramic viewpoints that stretch toward the Atlantic coast.
Tyrone’s storied past is equally evident in its historic market towns and unique cultural landmarks. The Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh provides a spectacular, immersive experience, tracing the courageous journey of thousands of emigrants from the thatched cottages of Tyrone to the frontier life of the New World. The county is also the ancestral home of several U.S. Presidents, adding a fascinating global dimension to its quiet rural lanes. Whether you are exploring the historic seat of the O’Neill dynasty or enjoying the peaceful shoreline of Lough Neagh, County Tyrone delivers an authentic blend of rugged adventure and remarkably enduring heritage.
Strabane, tyrone
The Alley is Strabane's purpose-built arts centre on Railway Street, opened in 2007 with a 270-seat convertible auditorium, a gallery and the town's tourist office. It is currently closed for restoration, with box office enquiries handled from Strabane Library. Outside, Martin Heron's bronze pig 'Ambrose' still stands in the piazza, marking the cattle and pig market that once filled the site.
Ardstraw, tyrone
Ardstraw is a small village (population 204) on the River Derg in west Tyrone, three miles northwest of Newtownstewart. Its importance is all in the past: it was the seat of a diocese founded in the 6th century by Saint Eoghan, and an 1837 guide could find it 'remarkable for nothing but its having a bridge'. Today it's a quiet base for walking in the Sperrin foothills rather than a sight in itself.
Augher, tyrone
Augher is a quiet village in the Clogher Valley with a surprisingly rich political past, once sending MPs to the Irish Parliament. Today it's known for the ruins of Spur Royal Castle, a popular café in the old railway station, and access to Knockmany Forest Park.
Cookstown, tyrone
The Ballinderry runs off the Sperrins, through Cookstown, and into Lough Neagh, carrying brown trout, salmon and the dollaghan, a Lough Neagh trout found in only a handful of rivers. Its upper reaches are a Special Area of Conservation for freshwater pearl mussels and Atlantic stream crayfish, and the local rivers trust runs a hatchery to keep the stocks going.
Ballygawley, tyrone
A quiet village at the junction of the A4 and A5 in County Tyrone, Ballygawley draws most visitors to Todd’s Leap, an activity centre with off-road driving, a 500m zip line and on-site glamping across 100 acres of countryside. Nearby are the free Grant Ancestral Homestead and the early monastic site of Errigal Keerogue.
Newtownstewart, tyrone
Baronscourt has been the seat of the Dukes of Abercorn since the early 1600s, its mansion reworked by William Chambers, John Soane and George Steuart. The estate holds one of Ireland's largest herds of Japanese Sika deer, introduced in 1751, and its game kitchen has taken Great Taste Gold awards. You can only get in by appointment, on a guided tour.
Beaghmore, tyrone
Unearthed by peat-cutters in the 1930s, this sprawling Neolithic and Bronze Age site features seven stone circles, ten alignments and twelve cairns. Visit to walk among ancient 'dragon's teeth' stones, witness solstice sunrises, and explore one of Northern Ireland's premier dark-sky landscapes.
newtownstewart, tyrone
Bessy Bell is a 420m hill in the Sperrins above Newtownstewart, climbed on a roughly 7-mile return walk from the Mellon Country Inn. The waymarked route passes a holy well and Donald Gorm's cairn, with views to the Derg Valley, the Sperrins and Donegal on a clear day. Two wind farms on the upper slopes are the catch.
Dungannon, tyrone
Black Lough, or Ballysaggart Lough, is a 42-acre lake on the edge of Dungannon, ringed by a flat gravel path you can walk in about 20 minutes. It's long been a birdwatchers' secret – 102 species recorded, 18 of them on the endangered list – and it hides a crannóg out on the water. Free, council-run and easy to reach off the Eglish Road.
Cookstown, tyrone
Burnavon is Mid-Ulster's main arts venue, built on the site of Cookstown's old town hall. It programmes touring music, comedy, drama and family shows Wednesday to Saturday, alongside a gallery, a craft shop of local makers and a tourist information desk.
Omagh, tyrone
The Camowen is a 45 km salmon and trout river that rises south of Pomeroy and runs into Omagh, where it meets the Drumragh in the town centre and continues on as the River Strule. For most visitors the draw is the flat, traffic-free riverside walk and weir loop through Omagh; for anglers it's a late-summer salmon fishery that needs a DAERA licence and a club permit.
Clogher, tyrone
A 30-mile way-marked circuit out of Clogher, linking Knockmany passage grave, the 1838 Forth Chapel and the childhood cottage of novelist William Carleton. Most people ride the shorter 13.8km Black Route on quiet roads, though one off-road section up Vinegar Hill has slipped in a landslide. Free to walk or cycle, year-round.
Clogher, tyrone
Clogher is a quiet County Tyrone village that has been a bishop's seat since the fifth century. Its landmarks are the 1744 St Macartan's Cathedral, a heritage complex with a restored forge and labourer's cottage, and the 8km Clogher Bog Loop Walk through rare lowland blanket bog.
tyrone
The Clogher Valley runs through rural County Tyrone between the Sperrin Mountains and Slieve Beagh. It holds a 3000 BC passage grave at Knockmany, the 30-mile Carleton Trail for walkers and cyclists, the long-running Clogher Valley Show, and a Georgian spa hotel at Corick House.
Cookstown, tyrone
Cookstown has the longest main street in Ireland: a single straight line 2 km long and an unusual 135 feet wide, laid out by the Stewart family in the late 18th century. The town makes a handy base for Wellbrook Beetling Mill, the 400-year-old Lissan House estate and the seven Bronze Age circles at Beaghmore.
tyrone
Dart Mountain is the second-highest summit in the Sperrins at 619m, standing on the boundary between counties Tyrone and Londonderry. Most walkers take it in as part of a demanding 17km loop with its higher neighbour Sawel, over boggy open ground where wire fences double as the main navigation aid in poor visibility.
Davagh Road, tyrone
Cookstown’s community investment transformed this upland woodland into a premier mountain-bike playground. Today, the International Dark Sky Park pairs graded trails with a public observatory, welcoming riders, walkers and stargazers alike.
Blackhill, tyrone
Derryloran Old Church is a roofless church of around 1622, standing on the site of a much older one linked to St Luran, on a rise above the Ballinderry River outside Cookstown. The graveyard is still in use, with 17th-century headstones and the von Stieglitz family tomb against the chancel. It is free and open all year, but isn't marked on OS maps, so it takes finding.
Drum Road, tyrone
Drum Manor Forest Park, west of Cookstown, took an unusual decision with its big house: rather than restore it, the Forest Service let it fall into ruin and planted a Japanese garden into the shell. Around it sit an arboretum of Blue Atlas cedars and yew, a walled butterfly garden, a wildfowl lake and waymarked woodland trails.
Omagh, tyrone
On the right bank of the River Drumragh at the edge of Omagh, this parish keeps the ruins of a pre-Reformation church and its old graveyard. Around it run riverside lanes for walking and cycling, with the Sperrin Mountains rising to the west.
Omagh, tyrone
The Drumragh River winds through Omagh, offering anglers a renowned brown trout fishery and walkers a peaceful route past stone arches and contemporary bridges. Its May fly hatch draws visitors to the banks, while nearby cafés and heritage sites complete the riverside experience.
Dungannon, tyrone
Castle Hill rises above Dungannon’s market square, offering sweeping views across seven counties and a direct line to Ulster’s past. Step inside Ranfurly House for an immersive exhibition on the O’Neill dynasty, then unwind in the lakeside trails of Dungannon Park.
Fintona, tyrone
Fintona's claim to fame is its horse-drawn tram, which ran the mile from the town to Fintona Junction station from 1853 until 1957 behind a horse always called Dick – the second-last public horse tram in the British Isles. The tram is now preserved at the Ulster Transport Museum; what's left in the village is a well-regarded nine-hole golf course, the Ecclesville equestrian and leisure centre, and the welcome signs that still picture Dick.
Fivemiletown, tyrone
Fivemiletown is a tidy main-street village on the A4 in the Clogher Valley, County Tyrone, named for sitting five Irish miles from each of its neighbours. Its name travelled the world on cheese labels, though production at the creamery ended in 2026. The reasons to stop now are the countryside around it: mountain biking and walks at Blessingbourne, and riding from the Forest Stables.
Glenelly Valley, tyrone
Carved by ancient glaciers and echoing with 9th-century Viking battles, Glenelly Valley stretches through the heart of the Sperrin Mountains. Walkers tackle the 37 km Ulster Way stage along quiet backroads, while photographers chase sweeping views toward Donegal’s Muckish and Errigal peaks.
Gortin, tyrone
Gortin is a quiet Sperrins village ten miles north of Omagh, but most visitors are heading for Gortin Glen Forest Park three miles to its south. Northern Ireland's first forest park, opened in 1967, it now holds 13km of mountain-bike trails, five waymarked walks, a five-mile scenic drive and a Thomas Dambo wooden giant.
Newtownstewart, tyrone
Harry Avery’s Castle is a rare thing – a stone castle raised by a Gaelic Irish chief, when his peers built in timber and earth. Its twin D-shaped towers borrow the look of a Norman gatehouse but front a simple tower house. It stands free and unstaffed in a cattle field above Newtownstewart, with wide views over the River Derg valley to the Sperrins.
Dungannon, tyrone
Rising above Dungannon, the Hill of the O’Neill combines ancient Gaelic heritage with modern visitor facilities. Explore the Ranfurly House exhibition detailing the Flight of the Earls, climb the glass viewing tower for sweeping views across Tyrone, and walk among archaeological discoveries dating back two millennia.
Knockmany Forest, tyrone
Thirteen sandstone orthostats etched with spirals and concentric circles guard one of Ulster's oldest Neolithic tombs. Perched on Knockmany Hill, this 3000 BC passage grave offers sweeping views of the Clogher Valley and the Sperrin landscape, with chamber access available by arrangement.
Cookstown, tyrone
Set in the Sperrins Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Lough Fea offers a peaceful 4-km lakeside loop that takes just over an hour to complete. With free parking, a children’s play area, and excellent brown trout fishing, it’s a relaxed outdoor escape near Cookstown.
Mullaghcarn, tyrone
Once a WWII firing range, this 542m Sperrin peak now offers 360° panoramas and a peaceful hike through heather-clad slopes. Walkers can explore ancient cairn history and spot the "Darach the Guardian" sculpture on the approach.
Northern Ireland, tyrone
Set against the twin peaks of Bessy Bell and Mary Gray, Newtownstewart combines 17th-century heritage with rugged Sperrin landscapes. Explore the atmospheric castle ruins, cross the historic six-arch bridge, and follow the River Strule on scenic walking routes.
Omagh, tyrone
Where the Drumragh and Camowen rivers meet, Omagh blends a lively market-town atmosphere with a deep connection to Irish emigration history. Visitors can wander the riverside OASIS plaza, explore the Strule Arts Centre, or head straight into the surrounding forests and heritage sites.
Gortin, tyrone
Rising in the Sperrin Mountains, the Owenkillew River winds through 213 hectares of protected habitat in County Tyrone. Home to Northern Ireland’s largest freshwater pearl mussel population, this spate river offers pristine angling, quiet woodland walks and a glimpse into the region’s rich natural heritage.
56 Tanderagee Road, tyrone
Set on the foothills of the Sperrins, Pomeroy Forest combines nature and storytelling across three themed trails. From a toddler-friendly blue loop to a gravel eco-route, the woodland playground leads to a timber visitor centre and café.
Park, londonderry
Rising to 678m on the Derry–Tyrone border, Sawel Mountain offers a rugged, unmarked ascent through ancient heathland to a trig point with sweeping views across the Sperrins. The summit also marks the site of a 1944 Royal Navy plane crash, adding a layer of solemn history to the landscape.
Northern Ireland, tyrone
Sion Mills is a rare surviving example of a 19th-century planned industrial settlement, complete with original workers' housing, a recreation hall and a fire-proof stone mill. Wander the tree-lined streets, explore the self-guided heritage trail and discover the story of Ulster's linen boom at the village museum.
Three County Hollow, monaghan
Straddling the border between County Monaghan and Northern Ireland, Sliabh Beagh is a windswept plateau of blanket bog, peat hills and quiet loughs. Walkers can follow waymarked loops or tackle the demanding 46km Border Highland Trail, passing ancient cairns, a holy well and thriving native woodlands.
Northern Ireland, tyrone
The Sperrins run 64 km from Strabane to Lough Neagh, the largest mountain range in Ireland and its quietest. Sawel tops out at 678m, more than 90 Bronze Age stone circles dot the bog, and the OM Observatory at Davagh Forest sits under Northern Ireland's first Dark Sky Park.
Augher, tyrone
Historic sandstone walls shelter striking 1922 stained-glass windows at St Macartan’s (Forth Chapel). This community-restored chapel in Augher blends 19th-century architecture with local heritage, offering free entry, volunteer-led tours, and quiet countryside views.
Altadaven Glen, tyrone
Discover a 2-metre sandstone throne and a traditional healing well tucked into the woods of Altadaven Glen. This free, year-round site blends early Christian legend, druidic history and peaceful woodland walks in County Tyrone.
Northern Ireland, tyrone
Strabane has transformed its historic riverside streets into a vibrant canvas of steel sculptures and cultural renewal. Perched where the Mourne and Finn rivers meet, the town blends gritty history with contemporary arts, outdoor pursuits, and seamless cross-border access to Donegal.
Omagh, tyrone
Celebrating a £10.5 million regeneration, Strule Arts Centre stands as Omagh’s cultural heart. The award-winning venue houses a 384-seat theatre, free gallery exhibitions, studios and a café, anchoring the town’s creative revival.
tyrone
The Strule River winds 17 miles through County Tyrone, framing historic Omagh before joining the River Derg near Newtownstewart. Protecting vital salmon and trout habitats, the river is a hub for community conservation, fly fishing and peaceful riverside walking.
Todds Leap Road, tyrone
Soar 500 metres above the Tyrone canopy on one of Northern Ireland’s longest zip-lines, then test your skills on a purpose-built off-road track or clay-pigeon range. With glamping pods, a cosy cottage restaurant and fully adapted equipment for all abilities, the centre blends high-octane thrills with family-friendly comfort.
Tullyhogue, tyrone
Tullyhogue Fort rises on a wooded hilltop just outside Cookstown, marking the sacred site where O'Neill chieftains were crowned for centuries. Follow the tarmac path to explore the historic earthworks, read detailed interpretive panels, and take in panoramic views across mid-Ulster.
Castletown, tyrone
Spanning over 30 relocated and recreated buildings, the Ulster American Folk Park guides visitors through the transatlantic migration story. Costumed interpreters, a full-size Brig Union replica and hands-on craft demonstrations bring three centuries of Irish-American heritage to life.
Belfast, antrim
Conceived in 1946 and officially restored in 2009, the Ulster Way stitches together dramatic coastlines, ancient peaks and historic towns across six counties. Walkers can tackle the entire loop or explore individual stages, all clearly signposted with distinctive yellow markers.
Cookstown, tyrone
Tucked into a wooded glen beside the Ballinderry River, Wellbrook Beetling Mill brings Ulster’s linen heritage to life. The 16-foot water wheel drives original hammer machinery, producing the rhythmic clatter that once echoed across the region. Guided tours, woodland trails and a restored mill-worker’s cottage make it a compelling stop for history lovers and families alike.
