Drum Manor Forest Park, Terrace and Pleasuregrounds Trail (Red)

About

This trail takes in the butterfly gardens with a walk through the heart of the Forest plots enabling the walker to view a wide variety of different tree species then skirting the edge of the pond before rising through the open parkland back to the car park. Strong footwear recommended

Start Point:
H763778

Finish Point:
H763778

Route:
The tower and the ground floor walls of the most recent house remain intact. Within the walls there are the features of a Japanese garden. The terrace was the most important viewpoint within the old estate demesne in the late 1800s, and is the most attractive one within the Forest Park now. The layout of the Pleasure-grounds was carefully designed to provide tantalising (but not obvious) views of the ponds, trees and the woodlands behind. The Pleasure-grounds were also for people to walk through and explore. The layout of the trees and shrubs created a feeling of being in a larger area than it actually was, and included rare and valuable species such as the Blue Atlas Cedars and yew. There is a network of paths that take the visitor to various parts, including the ponds. The larger fish pond predates 1830, with the other created during the major alteration of the Pleasure grounds in 1870. The Butterfly Garden. Walled Garden contains many species of plants that provide food and shelter for our native butterflies and moths. These walks are situated in a working forest environment and may be subject to diversion and closure from time to time. Up to date information is available on the Forest Service web site - link below.

Distance:
0.9 miles

Terrain:
Off road forest paths

Point of interest:
House ruins / Japanese garden, Pleasure Grounds / Champion Trees, Ponds, Butterfly Garden

Facilities:
Car park (fee charged), Toilets (disabled access), Picnic areas, Way-marked/nature trails, Guided tours available

Publication:
See link below to Drum Manor Forest Park info.

Publication availability:
Forest Service NI webpage

Nearest town:
Cookstown

OS map:
Discoverer Map Series 13

Accessible toilet facilities:
Yes

Accessible terrain:
The conditions likely to be encountered are described below. Steps, gullies, tree roots Moderate gradient (1:4) Generally undefined edges Overhanging branches Broken surface material Some Rest Areas at irregular intervals Way-finding Markers at trail junctions Distance to go Markers at trail junctions