Florence court Forest Park (Red trail)

Start : Florence Court Forest Park Visitor Centre - National Trust (BT92 1DB) out of Marble Arch Road (B52).
The route is signposted (Red Trail)

(S/E) Starting from the Visitor Centre, take the bridge and turn left (South-East).

(1) Take care when crossing at the Admission hut. Follow the trail and bear right, passing the Lady’s Well on your right.

The trail rejoins the main path here, note this part of the trail is used by horse-riders and cyclists. Continue to follow the blue trail signs, passing alongside the Broad Meadow (A) with views of the house.

(2) Here the Red and Blue trails separate. Take a minute to visit the Florence Court yew tree (B) ahead of you before returning and taking the red trail to the left, crossing a wide bridge.

(3) Follow the Claddagh River upstream (South) along the Riverside Walk, crossing part-way at a small footbridge. (around 1.6 Km)

(4) Take a rest here at the top of the Riverside Walk before following the path to the right (North) and heading down the hill.

(5) After about 200m take a left turn (South-West), facing the steepest climb on the red trail. Take your time on the way up. At the top of the winding climb you’ll reach the viewpoint (C). Continue on the path as it descends, taking care of your step.

(6) You can choose to extend your walk onto the Ulster or Cuilcagh way from this point, or turn right and continue to follow the red trail past the Kennel Field, Upper and Lower Deer Park.

Finishing your descent and crossing the Eel house bridge, you are now back onto the main estate. To finish your walk early, continue straight on past the Sawmill to pass the rear of the house.

(7) To continue on, take a left (West) after the bridge to walk a partial loop around the Killymanamly path which will bring you to the top of the path to the Walled Garden.

(8) After enjoying the Walled Garden, take this path to your left to finish the trail and return to the Visitor Centre. (S/E)

Start : Florence Court Forest Park Visitor Centre - National Trust (BT92 1DB) out of Marble Arch Road (B52). Signposted from the A4 – Enniskillen to Sligo Road.

Parking : Florence Court Forest Park Visitor Centre car park - National Trust (BT92 1DB) out of Marble Arch Road (B52).

Terrain : Off road quiet surfaced paths

Public Transport : Translink

Facilities : Car park (fee charged), Picnic areas, Toilets (Disabled Access), Stables restaurant, Coach House shop offering a range of gifts, Baby changing facilities, children’s play area, Guided tours of the house available.

Dog Policy : Dogs welcome on leads in garden and grounds

Note : Please note that National Trust entrance pricing applies for this walk.

Find more information and walk ideas at Walk NI here.

(A) When Florence Court house was built, this next section of the path along the Broad Meadow was kept clean of trees and obstructions – even the grazing animals you see today would have been kept out of the field to ensure the perfect view of the house in it’s gentle hill was preserved.

Florence Court : Florence Court is a large 18th-century house and estate located 8 miles south-west of Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. It is set in the foothills of Cuilcagh Mountain. The nearby village is distinguished by the one-word name Florencecourt. It is owned and managed by the National Trust and is the sister property of nearby Castle Coole. The other National Trust property in County Fermanagh is the Crom Estate.

Source and more information about Florence Court here !

(B) The Florence Court yew tree, taxus baccata ‘fastigiata’, is reported to be the “mother” of all Irish yew trees. It was discovered as part of a pair on Cuilcagh Mountain in 1740 by local farmer George Willis. He presented one to William Cole, 1st Earl of Enniskillen which was planted on the estate. This specific typr of yew can only be propagated by cutting and has had hundreds over the years which gives it a very distinguished appearance.

(C) From the top of the viewpoint on a clear day you should be able to see across much of Fermanagh, including Upper Lough McNean, Belomore mountain, Enniskillen town, Brougher Mountian, parts of Upper Lough Erne and Knockninny, amongst others.

Walled Garden

Your descent from the Red Trail will pass the historic Deer Park on the right-hand side. You might be able to catch a glimpse of the wall that still stands. The Deer Park was used to hold the Earl’s deer in the 1800s but has since fallen into disrepair. The ha-ha at the front of the house was built using stone taken from the deer park wall.