Forthill Park

What You'll Find

Forthill Park sits on the hill above Enniskillen, and it's the kind of park you end up in without really planning to, on your way between the town and the castle. It's all mature trees and shrub gardens, with paths wandering up and down the slope, and Plunkett's Bandstand, a Victorian bandstand from 1895, standing quietly in the middle of it.

There's a children's play area in the park too, so the wee ones have somewhere to head for while you find a bench.

The real draw, though, is Cole's Monument. It's one of the most familiar shapes on the Enniskillen skyline, and it took twelve years to build before it was finished in memory of Sir G Lowry Cole. Inside, 108 spiral steps take you up to a viewing platform with the whole town, the castle and the lough spread out below you. It's a proper little adventure for children who like climbing to somewhere new.

The park itself is free to wander, but the monument is a guided tour, so it needs a little planning rather than a spur-of-the-moment climb.

Wee Ones Will Love...

• ✓Counting all 108 steps up Cole's Monument
• ✓Spotting the town, the castle and the lough from the viewing platform
• ✓Heading for the play area among the trees
• ✓Finding Plunkett's Bandstand on a wander through the park

Before You Visit

The park is free to walk through. Going up Cole's Monument is a guided tour at £3 per person. Tours are seasonal and generally run on weekend afternoons, so check availability and book ahead through Fermanagh Visitor Information Centre on 028 6632 5000, as it can't be sorted out on the day. Children need to be with an adult.

Forthill is on a hill, so expect slopes and steps rather than a flat lap of the park. Good shoes are a better bet than sandals.

Toilets and parking at the park haven't been confirmed, so plan ahead if you're travelling with younger children.

⭐ Wee Adventurers Top Tips

• ⭐Let the wee ones set the pace on the 108 steps, and count them together on the way up
• ⭐Book the monument tour before you travel, as it can't be sorted out on the day
• ⭐It pairs neatly with Enniskillen Castle for a half day in town