Pomeroy brings together nature trails and a varied architectural history. The 176-hectare Pomeroy Forest lies on the edge of the village; alongside it, trails of different lengths and with different themes, as well as two historically interesting buildings, offer a range of ways to shape your stay. When planning your trip, you can decide whether to focus more on outdoor activity and nature or on architecture and village history.
Woodland and Trails in Pomeroy
Pomeroy Forest is a diverse woodland on the edge of Pomeroy. The network of marked walking trails can be accessed from the small car park inside the main entrance to the forest. Forestry work may occasionally restrict access, so check the current access situation before your visit. Pomeroy Forest has free parking in the courtyard and in front of the forest building. Accessible parking spaces are available for cars, coaches and minibuses.
The Grace Drennan Eco Trail is 2.4 kilometres long and is designed as a learning trail, with information about flora, fauna and ecology. It is suitable for walkers and runners. The Renardine Nursery Trail has a different focus: this one-kilometre route is a loop that is mostly flat and even. Along the way, it passes six attractions on the Nursery Trail and returns to the car park via the inclusive playground. The two trails therefore differ both in length and in layout: one focuses on nature, while the other is a loop featuring several attractions.
Conditions on the Renardine Nursery Trail may vary seasonally. Checking the current trail conditions before your visit can help you plan the route realistically. The Renardine Fairytale Trail passes The Castle of Pomeroy and adds another named themed trail to the options.
Visitor Centre and Practical Facilities
The Pomeroy Forest building has a café serving tea, coffee and snacks. The visitor centre also includes a multi-purpose area with retractable seating for approximately 150 people. The new Pomeroy Forest building has accessible toilets and baby-changing facilities. If you are travelling with young children, you can take these changing facilities into account when planning, along with the inclusive playground on the Renardine loop. Information about the café, toilets and baby-changing facilities adds practical visitor amenities to the trails without requiring a particular itinerary.
Architectural History and Village Connections
The Alexander Vault in Cavanacaw, Pomeroy, is a mid-Victorian mausoleum. Its design combines Classical, Tudor and Gothic elements. The building is both a burial place and a memorial to a prominent local historical family responsible for the original establishment and development of Pomeroy village. Its significance therefore extends beyond its architectural form and is also connected to the history of the village.
A different architectural note is struck by the Church of the Assumption (RC) in Pomeroy, a Romanesque Revival church. It was designed in 1909–1910; work on the church dates to 1909–1912, and the altars to 1915. The comparison here is between a Romanesque Revival church and a mausoleum with Classical, Tudor and Gothic design elements. The two buildings therefore offer different perspectives on Pomeroy’s architectural and local history.
Discover more destinations: Cookstown, Stewartstown.
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