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

Northern Ireland

Florence Court Blue Trail

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.

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Total steps: 5

Start point

Visitor centre, OSNI grid ref: NV272002

Step 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.

Step 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.

Step 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 in the gardens at Florence Court, County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland. — Irish yew tree at Florence Court, County Fermanagh | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

Step 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.

Step 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.

View of the Rose Garden at Florence Court in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. — The Rose Garden at Florence Court, County Fermanagh | © National Trust / Paul Canning

End point

Visitor centre, OSNI grid ref: NV272002

Trail map

Florence Court mansion in the autumn light

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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Florence Court Blue Trail

Total steps: 5