Florence Court estate, near Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, BT92 1AS
The Florencecourt Yew Tree
Unusual place
Place photograph
6.4
Wildland
Under 1 hour as a tree stop
Time
Paid
Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.4A distinctive Irish yew with an unusual origin story: WalkNI reports that a local farmer, George Willis, found it as one of a pair on Cuilcagh Mountain in 1740 and presented one to William Cole, 1st Earl of Enniskillen. Its cultivar is propagated by cuttings, and the tree has supplied hundreds.
This is a small feature with an outsized botanical story: a Florence Court yew linked to the discovery and propagation of a distinctive Irish cultivar. It earns its place as a worthwhile stop on the estate’s woodland trail, rather than as a standalone day out.
Atmospheric · Ancient-feeling
Find your way
Open mapFlorence Court estate, near Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, BT92 1AS
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Know this place a little better?
The experience
Visit the yew as part of the Florence Court Forest Park Blue Trail. The circular walk also passes the house, pleasure grounds, ice house, sawmill, summer house and walled garden. National Trust admission charges apply.
Things to do
See the Florence Court Yew
Find the yew on the signposted Blue Trail and take time to observe its distinctive form. WalkNI identifies it as taxus baccata ‘fastigiata’.
Brief stop
Follow the Blue Trail
Walk the 2.1-mile circular route through native Irish woodland and estate grounds, passing the yew and historic features.
Not stated
Look around the pleasure grounds
The route description notes an ice house, sawmill and summer house, as well as the mansion and walled garden.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Under 1 hour
A yew-tree stop
- 01
Use the Florence Court Visitor Centre as the Blue Trail start point.
- 02
Follow the signposted Blue Trail to the Florence Court Yew Tree.
- 03
Pause to notice its form, then return by the trail or continue the circular route.
Half day · Allow a half day
Blue Trail and estate features
- 01
Start at the Visitor Centre and follow the signposted 2.1-mile circular Blue Trail.
- 02
Stop at the Florence Court Yew Tree and continue through the forest and pleasure grounds.
- 03
Look out for the ice house, sawmill, summer house, mansion and walled garden on the route.
- 04
Check current admission, opening and food-service details before travelling.
Verified history
WalkNI reports that the Florence Court yew, identified as taxus baccata ‘fastigiata’, was one of a pair found on Cuilcagh Mountain in 1740 by local farmer George Willis. He presented one to William Cole, 1st Earl of Enniskillen, who had it planted on the estate. The source says this type can only be propagated by cuttings and that hundreds have been taken from the tree. The same route description notes that the estate’s ice house stored ice taken from a local pond to keep food cold, rather than for consumption.
Hidden details
The yew’s propagation story — WalkNI says the cultivar can only be propagated by cuttings and that hundreds of cuttings have been taken from the Florence Court tree.
An ice house for preserving food — On the Blue Trail, look for the estate ice house. WalkNI explains that ice from a local pond was stored there to keep food cold, not for eating.
When to go
· No specific time of day is evidenced; check current opening information before visiting.
The supplied sources do not identify a best season for the yew or trail.
The trail uses unsurfaced off-road paths. Check current conditions and estate guidance before setting out.
The route
- surface
- Unsurfaced off-road paths
- distance
- 2.1 miles
- difficulty
- Easy
- waymarking
- Signposted
- route shape
- Circular
- start point
- Visitor Centre
- parking start
- WalkNI lists a fee-charged car park; National Trust says Car Park 1 is beside the Visitor Centre. Check current arrangements.
- Florence Court Yew Tree
- House and Broad Meadow view
- Pleasure grounds
- Ice house
- Sawmill
- Summer house
- Walled Garden
Worth pairing with
Florence Court Forest Park Blue Trail
The yew is a feature on this 2.1-mile circular woodland route, which also passes estate buildings and gardens.
Florence Court house, pleasure grounds and walled garden
The Blue Trail passes the mansion and pleasure grounds and returns by the walled garden; the National Trust page gives current visitor information.
What to look for
Look closely at the yew’s distinctive form. WalkNI reports that this type can only be propagated by cuttings and that the Florence Court tree has produced hundreds of cuttings.
The story
Botanical history; estate landscape
Best time to go
Check current estate access and seasonal conditions before visiting; no specific best season is evidenced.
No specific best time is evidenced. Check the estate’s current opening information before setting out.
How long to spend
Under 1 hour as a tree stop; allow longer for the Blue Trail and estate features.
Perfect for
Walkers · History lovers · Photographers
Before you go
Address
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
The tree is on the Florence Court estate and is passed on the signposted Blue Trail. National Trust entrance charges apply; check current access and opening details before visiting.
Check before visiting
Parking
WalkNI lists a fee-charged car park. The National Trust identifies Car Park 1 beside the Visitor Centre as the estate car park; check current arrangements before travelling.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Toilets, including accessible toilets, are listed by WalkNI and the National Trust; check current availability.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
WalkNI lists the Stables restaurant; the National Trust lists a café and tea-room. Check current opening before visiting.
Check before visiting
Dogs
WalkNI says dogs are welcome on leads in the garden and grounds. Check current estate guidance and signage.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The Blue Trail is described by WalkNI as easy, with an even gradient and unsurfaced off-road paths; it notes a road crossing and bridges. The National Trust says the Blue Trail is suitable for mobility scooters and that estate terrain is mainly gravel and grass with undulations. Check current route conditions and access details.
Check before visiting
Cost
Paid
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around The Florencecourt Yew Tree
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
