Drum Manor Forest Park

Drum Manor Forest Park is a forest in Northern Ireland, south of the Sperrin Mountains and west of Lough Neagh. Formerly the site of Drum Manor, it was opened to the public in 1970, after being purchased from a private landowner. The park features mountain bike trails, a children's playground, and the ruins of the manor house which are a popular backdrop for wedding photography. The gardens include Blue Atlas Cedars, yew trees, fishponds and a wildfowl lake. A walled garden now serves as a habitat for butterflies.

Drum Manor Forest Park gardens in Summer

History

The Drum Manor Forest Park was the home of the Archibald Close family until 1964. The manor house ground floor walls are still standing, and the ruins are a popular site for wedding photography.^[1] The remains of a Japanese garden and arboretum are still visible, and a terrace and pleasure-grounds.^[1] The gardens include rare and valuable species like Blue Atlas Cedars and yew. There is a large fishpond that dates from prior to 1830, and a later wildfowl lake from when the pleasure grounds were altered in 1870.^[2][1] There is a walled garden which now functions as sheltered habitat for a butterfly garden.^[1] In early 2025, the park sustained significant damage during Storms Darragh, Eowyn, and Herminia. Several mature trees were lost, including some thought to be over a century old, and restoration work has been ongoing to ensure public safety and protect the remaining woodland habitat.^[3]

Facilities

Access to the park is from the A505 Cookstown to Omagh Road. The park has a large car park, a campsite, and touring facilities, with fresh water, shower and laundry facilities.^[2][4] There are purpose-built mountain bike trails, a children's playground, and toilets.^[2] Entry charges apply.^[2] Areas of the park are still a working forest.^[1]

See also

• Forests in the United Kingdom