A day out in Enniskillen with a 1-3 year old

Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel & Lodges

Start just outside the town centre at the free outdoor 'Killy Kids' playpark on the shores of Lough Erne. Let the running happen here, before the queueing and the sitting. The lakeside gardens and woodland walks give you somewhere to go when the playpark has been exhausted, and a buggy loop is a reasonable way to buy a nap.

There is on-site dining and the hotel does kids' meals, so this is a sensible place to eat or to fill a bag before you move on. There is also a picnic area if you have brought your own.

The Health Club here has a heated indoor pool and a separate kids' pool, plus an outdoor lakeview hot tub. It is worth knowing about as a wet-weather alternative rather than an add-on: non-members need a day membership trial booked by appointment, swimming hats are compulsory and available from reception, and the club asks that you contact staff about hotel policy for children under 16 using the facilities. Sort that before you arrive or not at all.

Erne Tours — Lough Erne Boat Trips

The boats leave from the Round O Jetty in Enniskillen, a short hop from Killyhevlin. The 48-seat MV Kestrel runs scenic cruises through the waterways with live commentary; the smaller Kingfisher does small group and private trips, which is worth asking about if you would rather not have a restless toddler in a full boat.

A tour runs around 105 minutes, which is long. Toddlers tend to manage it because there is water, engine noise and movement to watch, but go in with a snack supply. There is an onboard bar and refreshments.

Enniskillen Castle Grounds

Back on land and free, the castle grounds are the recovery stop: riverside walks along the Erne, landscaped gardens and views out towards Lough Erne. Flat, open and short — exactly what a toddler needs after being contained on a boat. There is a redeveloped visitor centre with a café, and picnic areas in the grounds.

If the day has gone long, this is a fine place to end it.

Devenish Island

Keep this one in reserve. Devenish is an early monastic site in Lower Lough Erne with a 12th-century round tower, the remains of St Molaise's House, a 13th-century abbey and high crosses, and there is a lot of open ground for a small child to wander. It is reachable only by boat, with trips from Enniskillen run by Erne Tours between April and September, so it is the island landing rather than a separate drive.

The terrain is uneven. Comfortable footwear, a carrier rather than a buggy if you have one, and weather-appropriate clothing, because the lake is exposed.

The distances between all four are short, which is the whole point: you are moving between the edge of town, the jetty and the castle without any real travelling. If the morning collapses, drop Devenish and finish in the castle grounds. If it rains hard, the boat still runs and the castle grounds still walk, but the Killyhevlin pool is the one indoor option here — and it needs booking ahead, so decide early.