THE partnership between the Forest Service and the National Trust in Fermanagh has created an entirely new visitor experience at Florence Court Forest Park.

The £300,000 visitor centre, built by the Forest Service has become the focal point for anyone visiting the the old estate forest and moorland or the National Trust’s house and gardens.

Sprawled out across Cuilcagh Mountain and covering 1,200 hectares, the forest park offers walking and cycling trails, pony trekking and a Touring in the Trees site.

The open mountain and blanket bog features many mature oak tress, some planted more than 200 years ago.

According to general manager of the National Trust in Fermanagh, Jim Chestnutt, the joint venture with the Forest Service now opens up a world of new opportunities for this picturesque area.

“For so long the forest park had a really good infrastructure that just wasn’t being utilised as well as it could have been.

“Now that we are embarking on this new partnership with the Forest Service, the National Trust will take responsiblilty for managing access and recreation across the forest park and look after the people and the visitor experience for all visitors to the house, gardens and forest park.

“All of this is being done to improve the visitor experience,” Mr. Chestnutt explained.

The general manager believes the development will help to attract a greater footfall to the forest park and as such, bring great local economic benefit to Fermanagh.

“It will open up access to the site,” he said.

Last year the National Trust successfully applied for funding to upgrade signage across the property. An additional £20,000, proceeds secured from the tax on plastic bags, meant it could extend the signage into the forest park too.

“We see Florence Court as becoming a country park now with a very broad offer of the house, garden and forest park estate,” said Mr. Chestnutt, “The whole story of Florence Court can link together now.

“The visitor centre will be the main point for people to come and make decisions about what they want to do during their visit.

“This has all been a long time coming and we hope the partnership will be the start of potentially bigger projects down the road. We would love to see camping come here.

“We do feel that Florence Court has got the whole package. It’s potential is amazing.

“The key thing for us though, is sharing this area with people. We want to help people enjoy this area, regardless of what the weather is!”