Northern Ireland

Castle Coole Beech Trail

Visitors enjoying the estate at Castle Coole, County Fermanagh. — Following the Beech Trail at Castle Coole, County Fermanagh | © National Trust Images / John Millar

A tranquil walk on paths through the Beech Wood at Castle Coole where you'll discover some of the oldest trees on the estate. Look out for the 18th-century Ice House and enjoy views of the ancient trees lining Oak Avenue if you choose the longer route.

Near to

Castle Coole

Start point

Visitor car park

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 1.2 (km: 1.92)

Short trail

DistanceMiles: 0.5 (km: 0.8)

Duration 30 mins to 1 hour

Dog friendly***

*Even path with some inclines.
**The path to the Ice House has a sharp incline. Steps at the beginning of the trail.
***Keep dogs under close control and on leads on the main avenue. For further details, please see section marked Facilities.

Total stages: 5
Total stages: 5
Start point
Visitor car park
Stage 1
Begin from the car park at Castle Coole. Head through the archway into the Grand Yard, passing the second-hand bookshop and into the Tunnel Yard.
Stage 2
Cross the yard and take the steps. Turn left at the top onto the Beech walk. Continue along the path, keeping to the left.
Stage 3
After a few hundred metres, a detour to the left will take you to the 18th-century Ice House. Once you've taken a look, return back up the hill and join the path once again.
The Ice House
The Ice House dates back to 1794 and is shaped like an inverted cone with a vaulted top for hanging meat. When a local pond froze over, the men of the estate would be tasked with collecting the ice and packing it into the Ice House, hammering it in with salt and covering it with hay to keep it from the air. Servants would make the journey regularly to chip off ice to use in the house, keeping food and drinks cool and making ice-cream.
The Ice House at Castle Coole, County Fermanagh | © National Trust / Sarah Burch
Stage 4
Continue on the path through the trees until you reach a junction. At this point you can follow the Gortgonnell path on the left and add another 30 minutes to your walk, or you can turn right to pass by the house and return to the yard to finish your walk.
Stage 5
If you've chosen to continue to the Gortgonnell path, you'll reach the main drive at Castle Coole. Turn right here to continue on round to the car park, passing the south front of the house and the Pump House on the left.
End point
Visitor car park
Trail map
Castle Coole Beech Trail map, County Fermanagh | © Crown Copyright (2013) Land and Property Services permit no.120099
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Place

Castle Coole

Magnificent 18th-century mansion and landscape park

Trail

Castle Coole Lake Walk

Take a pleasant, gentle walk around the tranquil Lough Coole, spotting wildlife, history and glimpses of the mansion house on the way.

Trail

Florence Court Blue Trail

A gentle circular walk through native Irish woodland with historical estate features along the way, including the Florence Court Yew Tree.

Trail

Florence Court Red Trail

A trail through the forest park at Florence Court which rewards walkers with views across Fermanagh and beyond at its peak.

Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, BT74 6JY

02866322690

castlecoole@nationaltrust.org.uk

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