Most of our guests say the same thing when they arrive. They had no idea there was this much on the doorstep.
You really do not have to go far. From Arch House you can be deep inside a cave before lunch, up a mountain boardwalk in the afternoon, or out on the water of Lough Erne, and still be back in time for a soak in the hot tub before dinner. We are a wee family run bed and breakfast in the countryside at Florencecourt, and honestly, the best part of the job is sending people off in the morning and hearing all about their day over breakfast the next. So here is what we would tell you to do, the way we would tell a friend.
Start with the caves
If you only do one thing, make it the Marble Arch Caves. They are just up the road from us, and they are something else. A guide takes you down under the ground, sometimes by boat along a river you would never know was there, through caverns that took hundreds of thousands of years to form. Children come out wide eyed. So do the grown ups. One thing worth knowing: heavy rain can close the caves, so it is always worth a quick check before you head over, and being this close means you can nip up the moment they open.
Then climb the Stairway to Heaven
You will have seen the photos. The Cuilcagh boardwalk, the one everyone calls the Stairway to Heaven, is a timber path that runs out across the bog before a good stiff climb of steps to the top. On a clear day the view will stop you in your tracks. It is a proper half day, mind, so we pack our walkers off with a decent breakfast, a flask and a warm layer, because it can be blowy up top. The trailhead is only a short drive away. You will earn your dinner.
Grand houses and quiet gardens
Not every day needs to be a mountain. Some of the loveliest mornings are the slow ones. Florence Court, a beautiful old Georgian house with a walled garden and woodland walks, is practically on our doorstep and pairs perfectly with the caves. Castle Coole sits in rolling parkland on the edge of Enniskillen and is a gorgeous spot for a gentle stroll, even if you never go inside. And if you fancy getting properly away from it all, the woods and still water at Crom, further down Lough Erne, are about as peaceful as Ireland gets.
Out on the water
You cannot really know Fermanagh until you have been out on the lough, and there is more to it than you might think. You can hop on a covered boat from Enniskillen and let someone else do the driving, or take the lovely solar powered boat trip and glide along in near silence. If you would rather be hands on, there are kayaks and canoes, little boats to potter about in, even water bikes and a bit of hoverboarding for the brave. One trip we always send folk on goes out to Devenish Island, where a near perfect round tower has stood since the sixth century. There is a stillness out there you do not forget. It is all an easy drive from your room.
A wander round Enniskillen
The town is worth an afternoon in its own right, and it is only a short drive. Enniskillen sits on an island between the two lakes, with the castle and its Watergate towers right at the water’s edge. Have a wander down the main street and you will find Blakes of the Hollow, a proper old Victorian pub, and Headhunters, a working barber shop with a whole railway museum hidden in the back. Several of the pubs put on live traditional music if you time it right, which is a grand way to pass an evening. If you love your food, look up the Enniskillen Taste Experience, a guided tour that takes you round the town’s best local spots. And do pop into the Buttermarket for a coffee and a look at what the local makers are up to.
Gentle walks and forest parks
If a big climb is not your thing, you have options. Just beside the caves, Cladagh Glen follows a river through a mossy limestone gorge, all quiet trees and little waterfalls. Florence Court Forest Park has miles of easy trails and bike hire if you fancy it. And the drive through Lough Navar Forest ends at a viewpoint that looks clear across the water toward Donegal. These are the sort of places you can have almost to yourself.
Grand for families
Travelling with children? This is easy country for it. The caves feel like a real adventure, the boat trips keep the wee ones happy, and there is room to run about at every forest park. We have sheep and cows in the fields around the house too, which the little ones always want to go and see. And when the rain comes in, the castle and the railway museum keep everyone entertained under a roof, with board games back at the house for a cosy afternoon. Best of all, nothing is far, so nobody spends the day stuck in the car.
You will not go hungry
The food round here is good. There are lovely restaurants out along Lough Erne for a special night, characterful pubs in town for something more relaxed, and no shortage of cafes for lunch and a bit of cake between stops. Ask us at breakfast and we will happily point you in the right direction, whatever you are in the mood for.
How we would spread a weekend
Say you have two or three days. Settle in the first afternoon and get the feel of Enniskillen and the castle. Give a full day to the caves, Florence Court and Cladagh Glen, which all sit close together near us. Keep another day for the Stairway to Heaven if the weather plays ball, or a boat trip if it does not. And leave a bit of room each morning for a proper breakfast and a slow start. That, after all, is rather the point.
A few things worth knowing
Keep your plans loose. Half the fun is deciding over breakfast, and the weather here likes to have its say. The caves and the island boats run on seasonal times, so a quick check before you set off saves any disappointment, and we are always glad to help you plan. Bring decent footwear, because the ground is often soft, and pack a light waterproof no matter what the forecast promises. Parking is easy in town and at all the big attractions. And if you are here for the walking or the fishing, an early start makes all the difference.
A few questions we get asked
What is there to do near Arch House?
Plenty, and most of it close by. The caves and Florence Court are minutes away, the Stairway to Heaven and Cladagh Glen are just up the road, and the town, the lough and Castle Coole are all an easy run out.
How long should we stay?
Two or three days lets you see the best of it without rushing. A weekend covers the town, the caves and a good walk. A few extra days gives you the lough, the castles and time to slow right down.
Is it good for families?
Very much so. Between the caves, the boats, the forest parks and the sheep and cows in our fields, there is plenty to keep all ages happy, with board games and a fire pit back at the house for the evenings.
When is the best time to come?
Late spring through early autumn gives you the long days and the best shot at kind weather. The quieter shoulder seasons are lovely too, just be aware some attractions close over winter.
Do we need a car?
It helps, as the best spots are spread about the countryside. From here at Florencecourt you are minutes from the caves and Florence Court and a short hop from Enniskillen.
Come and make Arch House your base
All of this is nicer with a comfy place to come back to. We are a family run B&B in the countryside at Florencecourt, minutes from the caves and Florence Court and a short drive from Enniskillen. You get a comfortable en-suite room with a smart TV, free parking at the door, free WiFi and a proper homemade breakfast to set you up. There is a spacious guest lounge too, with tea and coffee, a fridge, a toaster and a microwave, board games for the evenings, and a wee treat left in for you each day. Outside, a covered seating area with a fire pit is a lovely spot for a nightcap, and the hot tub is always there for tired legs. Have a look at our rooms, book direct with us for the best rate, and give us a shout if you would like a hand planning your trip. We would love to have you.
