Things to do in County Fermanagh

Getting your bearings

County Fermanagh, in Northern Ireland, suits an unhurried trip. Enniskillen is the obvious base. It's the main town, and several of the county's attractions are listed under it. Most places worth your time here are focused visits rather than sprawling all-day venues: museums, a castle and two National Trust properties. That makes it easy to build a day around two or three stops without rushing, and to swap plans when the weather changes.

The standout attractions by type

Many places fit more than one category, so treat these groupings as a starting point.

• Family days: Enniskillen Castle is a good first stop, because a castle gives children something tangible to explore. The Railway Museum is a natural pick for anyone with a train enthusiast in tow. Crom Estate (National Trust) gives you room to let everyone burn off energy between indoor visits.
• Rainy days: Fermanagh has plenty of museums to fall back on. The Fermanagh County Museum and The Inniskillings Museum are both solid choices. The Sheelin Lace Museum and the Belleek Pottery Museum suit anyone interested in craft and how things are made.
• Outdoors: The two National Trust properties, Crom Estate (National Trust) and Florence Court House, are where to head on a dry day. Pair a walk with a look around, and check what's open on the day you plan to go.
• Heritage: For history, combine Enniskillen Castle with the Devenish Monastic Site Museum and the Crom Visitors Centre. Florence Court House, a stately home, adds a grander side of the county's past.

Grouping attractions into a sensible day

You'll enjoy Fermanagh more if you group stops sensibly rather than criss-crossing the county. Look at a map before you set off, because several attractions are listed simply as County Fermanagh and won't all be in town. Here are three days that work well:

• An Enniskillen day: Start at Enniskillen Castle, then fit in the Fermanagh County Museum and The Inniskillings Museum. Finish at the Sheelin Lace Museum, which is also listed under Enniskillen. This is your best bet if the forecast is mixed.
• A National Trust day: Give Crom Estate (National Trust) a good part of the day and call in at the Crom Visitors Centre. Alternatively, make Florence Court House your main event. Don't try to cram both into one day if you want time outdoors at each.
• A crafts and history day: Combine the Belleek Pottery Museum with the Devenish Monastic Site Museum. Add the Railway Museum if you have travelling companions who'd enjoy it.

Where to eat

The Horseshoe is a pub with a five-star food hygiene rating, so it's a reassuring choice for a sit-down meal. Check where it is in relation to your day's plans before you rely on it for lunch.

On National Trust days, a packed picnic saves time and means you're not tied to anyone's serving hours. In Enniskillen, it's worth asking your host for their own recommendations. Locals usually know which places are busy at which times.

Turning it into a short break

There are 32 places to stay on BritStays in County Fermanagh. Two or three nights is about right if you want to see a fair spread without spending every hour in the car. Staying in or near Enniskillen keeps the town-based attractions within easy reach and gives you somewhere to eat in the evenings.

Here's a simple shape for a three-night stay:

• Day one: Settle in with the Enniskillen day.
• Day two: Save the National Trust day for whichever day has the best forecast.
• Day three: Use the crafts and history day as your flexible slot. It works in most weather, so you can swap it with day two if the rain arrives.

If you only have one night, pick either the Enniskillen day or a single National Trust property. Doing one area properly beats a rushed tour of everything.

Practical tips before you go

• Opening days and times for museums and heritage sites can vary by season. Check each attraction's own information before you travel, especially outside the summer holidays.
• Crom Estate (National Trust) and Florence Court House are both National Trust properties. If you're a member, bring your card.
• Pack waterproofs and decent footwear even if the morning looks bright. Fermanagh's weather can change, and estate paths can be soft underfoot.
• Keep a museum in reserve each day so a downpour doesn't derail your plans.
• Book your stay early if you're travelling in school holidays, as choice narrows quickly.