Forest bathing at Castle Coole

Castle Coole is a National Trust house and parkland just outside Enniskillen. Its Beech Wood was planted in 1709 and holds some of the oldest trees on the estate, and the Oak Avenue, laid out in the seventeenth century, is lined mostly with veteran and ancient oaks, one about 7.7 metres round. Lough Coole lies within the park too.

The Beech Trail starts and finishes at the visitor car park. The short loop is half a mile and the full route 1.2 miles, taking in the Oak Avenue; allow anything from half an hour to an hour and a half. The path is mostly even with some slopes, steps at the start and a sharp incline to the ice house. There are benches along the way, which suit a slow walk. Toilets, a café and a shop are open during estate hours. Dogs are welcome, on leads on the main avenue. The Lake Walk is a gentle extra loop.