Page 033 advertorial f 12/03/2013 14:15 Page 1
APRIL 2013 PAGE 33
COMMERCIAL FEATURE
The Coach House Learmunt
D
erry~Londonderry is fast gathering a reputation as a world-class destination and a city that offers something for everyone, from the bright lights of the centre to the natural delights of its rural hinterland. With the UK City of Culture programme about to get into full swing, there is really no better time to visit this ancient and fascinating city. Whether you fancy strolling along the unique shops and galleries of the Craft Village and Cathedral Quarter, fine dining at a top class restaurant or hotel, sampling the varied and vibrant night life scene, taking in the historic sites or meandering through Faughan Valley's forest parks,, Derry~Londonderry has it covered. Why not start off by getting your bearings along the City Walls, which are being celebrated throughout 2013 as this year marks the 400th anniversary of their construction. A little known fact is that the man who designed them, Sir Edward Dod-
LegendDerry A big year for the North West
dington, also drew up the plans for the Brackfield Bawn fortification in the Faughan Valley, and both ancient sites are well worth a visit.
C
ome June this year, the city's Guildhall will reopen following a multimillion pound refurbishment inside and out. Among its new features will be a new state-of-the-art Plantation era museum. And if this whets your appetite, you can check out the living legacy of the Plantation by visiting one of the satellite villages in the Faughan Valley which sprang up during this period, such as Eglinton, Drumahoe and Claudy. These villages are great bases for a rural retreat and offer a laid back alternative to the city centre with their craft shops and friendly cafĂŠs serving up a
taste of local life. Nestled in these areas you will find a choice of top hotels, a range of four and five star self-catering cottages and apartments, as well as B&B retreats that offer an ideal base from which to explore both urban and rural Derry. With 24 accommodation providers, there is something to suit all tastes and budgets, including the Georgian elegance of the Beech Hill Country House Hotel, the relaxing White Horse Hotel, the delightful Belfray Country Inn or the charming Derry Farm Cottages. The Faughan Valley lies just minutes from the former army barracks and new public arena at Ebrington, and the architecturally stunning Peace Bridge, so you are never far from the cultural action on either side of the River Foyle. Once you've had
your fill of the host of festivals, exhibitions, music events and cultural carnivals the city has to offer, you can escape the crowds by venturing a few miles east of the bustling core and discover the wooded wilds of the city's flipside in the Faughan Valley. Get away from it all by roaming through ancient woodlands, where native flora and fauna like the red squirrel, the otter and the ancient oak that gives Derry its name can be found amid magical waterfalls, ponds, wildflower meadows and walled gardens.
N
ess and Oak Woods are among Northern Ireland's best kept secrets with numerous recently developed trails to suit all ages and all levels of fitness. A new visitor centre at Ness provides helpful hints
on what to look out for across this natural wonderland, including the highest waterfall in Northern Ireland. There are several other woodland areas kitted out with walkways and ripe for exploring. Just beyond Eglinton, Muff Glen Forest offers a beautiful walkway ideal for bird watchers, while woodlands Killaloo, Ervey, and Tamneymore showcase dramatic high cliffs, babbling brooks and waterfalls. The baby of the bunch is Burntollet Wood, which was recently introduced by the Woodland Trust, and in the summer you can wander through colourful meadows of wild barley, buttercup, clover, red campion, daisies and ragged robin. Learmount Forest at the foot of the Sperrin Mountains surrounds a Gothic castle built in
1830 by the historic Beresford family, while the mature Claudy Country Park incorporates a picturesque riverside walkway. There are also a range of gentle recreational activities on offer which match the serene surrounding. The tranquillity and superb salmon fishing offered on the River Faughan and its tributaries is second to none. Alternatively Oaks Fishery, just a few miles from the city centre, offers some of the finest trout and pike fishing from bank or boat available in Northern Ireland. Or why not go for a drive with Faughan Valley Golf Club. The 18hole, Par 69 course measures 5,453 yards and stands on naturally draining banks of the Faughan. Derry~Londonderry really is a city of contrasts within one compact and easily accessible area, so why not combine the urban buzz with the rural radiance of the Faughan Valley to ensure you get the best of both worlds during your stay