SMALL PLEASURES

In search of an escape from busy London, Isabelle Duff finds solace in tiny County Louth on Ireland's northeast coast

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Small but mighty, Ireland's County Louth is often overlooked by tourists in favour of Dublin and Galway.

But the tiny area has a lot of offer visitors - from breathtaking hikes to a thriving local food scene.

Happily, visitors from the UK can sit down for dinner within five hours of leaving, due to the county's proximity to Dublin airport. For me, it is the perfect escape whenever London gets overwhelming.

The UK's capital feels very far away when I spend time here. It's packed with history and boasts 55 miles of coastline, but County Louth only stretches to 319 square miles, so it's the sort of place you can get to know every inch of - the antidote to life in a metropolis.

My favourite way to visit is to fly in on a Friday evening. Drogheda, one of Ireland's largest towns, is only 30 minutes away on the motorway.

From here, I head straight to Scholars Townhouse Hotel, a beautiful, family-run boutique in a former grammar school. They only have 16 rooms, so guests are guaranteed a good welcome.

While dining in a hotel can feel a bit naff, nothing could be further from the truth here - it's a huge favourite with locals.