Northern Ireland

Florence Court Blue Trail

Visitors walking through the wooded trails at Florence Court, County Fermanagh | © National Trust iamges/Paul Canning Photography

A gentle, circular walk through native Irish woodland with historical estate features along the way. Explore the Pleasure Grounds and Walled Garden at Florence Court on the route and look out for one of the most famous trees in Ireland – the original Irish yew tree.

Near to

Florence Court

Start point

Visitor centre, OSNI grid ref: NV272002

Steps 1, 4 and 5 are the most accessible areas. The paths leading to and within the Pleasure Grounds are shallow gravel, and are largely even, with only a few areas of incline and decline. The majority of these paths are suitable for wheelchair users and the property’s powered mobility vehicle with the exception of the path up to the Summer House.
Designated parking
Accessible toilet
Wheelchairs available
Powered mobility vehicle
Total stages: 5
Total stages: 5
Start point
Visitor centre, OSNI grid ref: NV272002
Stage 1
Start from the visitor centre, turning right and crossing the bridge. Follow the path to the left and continue on the path, taking care crossing the road at the admission hut.
Stage 2
The trail rejoins the main path here. Continue to follow the signs, crossing a large bridge. Note this part of the path is used by other walkers and horse riders.
Stage 3
You'll reach a crossing where the Blue Trail continues to the right, passing the Florence Court Yew tree. Follow the path through the forest and alongside the field toward the pleasure grounds.
Mother Yew
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 then planted on the estate. The specific type of yew can only be propagated by cuttings and has had hundred of cuttings over its lifetime so far which gives it a very distinguished appearance!
Irish yew tree at Florence Court, County Fermanagh | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor
Stage 4
Continue around the corner to the right and over the bridge into the Pleasure Grounds.
Ice House
The Pleasure Grounds are home to a number of historic buildings on the estate. The Ice House would have once held all the ice used at the mansion house, taken from a local pond once it froze over. It would never have been consumed but used to keep foodstuffs cold. Ice houses were an important part of many mansion houses, but the rise of imported ice from Scandinavia that was safe to consume led to the decline in their use.
Stage 5
Continue through the Pleasure Grounds, keeping to the left and crossing the large wide bridge. Follow the path back around to the right, passing the Sawmill, Summer House and past the mansion. Continue across the road and onwards to return to the visitor centre.
Walled Garden
You'll pass the Walled Garden on your left just before the visitor centre. It contains the Rose Garden which is lovingly tended to by the hardworking gardener at Florence Court. You'll also find the Kitchen Garden here, which is undergoing a project to return it to a 1930s arrangement. Stop in to see how the fruit and vegetables are coming along. Depending on the time of year you may even get to pick some up for yourself at the visitor centre.
The Rose Garden at Florence Court, County Fermanagh | © National Trust / Paul Canning
End point
Visitor centre, OSNI grid ref: NV272002
Trail map
Florence Court Blue Trail map, County Fermanagh | © Crown Copyright (2012) Land and Property Services permit no. 120099
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Spring sun on the exterior of the Georgian mansion at Florence Court, County Fermanagh

Place

Florence Court

Beautiful 18th-century home set on a sustainable estate and gardens

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, BT92 1DB

02866348249

florencecourt@nationaltrust.org.uk

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Near to

Start point

Trail information

Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

Getting here

Facilities

Accessibility

Terrain and elevation

Trail route

Total stages: 5

Total stages: 5

Start point

Stage 1

Stage 2

Point of interest

Stage 3

Point of interest

Stage 4

Point of interest

Stage 5

Point of interest

End point

Trail map

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