Drumlin Wood takes its name from the geological feature that this undisturbed, peaceful woodland overlays. The landscape of Northern Ireland was profoundly affected by repeated phases of glaciation and it is estimated that 90% of the area is covered by glacigenic deposits. This corner of Fermanagh was under rapidly flowing ice between 23,000 and 13,000 years ago, which left behind the distinctive small rounded hills of glacial material known as drumlins. The basin of Upper lough Erne was subsequently flooded leaving the drumlins exposed as islands.

This is the description from the Landscape Character Assessment: Upper Lough Erne is a small-scale intricate landscape in the south of Fermanagh. The landscape is dominated by water as the channel of the River Erne splits and joins, widens and narrows around islands of various shapes and sizes. Low lying interconnected drumlins and flooded hollows linked by streams and the River Erne stretch across the Lough from west to east.

The immediate area around the lake is heavily wooded. Most of the islands are unihabitated and have never been cultivated, with the result that the woodlands are relatively pristine and ancient in origin. They therefore support great biodiversity with a significant number of nationally rare plant and animal species; indeed Upper Lough Erne is designated as a Special Area of Conservation and Area of Special Scientific Interest. It is an important wintering area for migrating birds including Whooper Swans.

Drumlin Wood lies on Deal Island, which is one of a number of islands that used to belong to Belle Isle Estate. Today, the island estate is an exclusive holiday destination with accommodation in the castle as well as self catering cottages, a renowned cookery school and Bear Grylls Survival Academy. Life for those living around the Fermanagh Lakes revolves around water, and an easy way to reach Drumlin Wood is to hire a boat from Belle Isle Estate. This can be booked by special arrangement through woodlands.co.uk.

The wood forms the central part of the island, with oak woodland dominating the top of the drumlin and alluvial wet woodland on the low-lying shores on the north and south sides. Both of these habitats are recognised as distinctive and of special interest in the ASSI citation. The level of Upper Lough Erne has been lowered through drainage schemes in the past, and the area of wet woodland has established itself below the original shoreline which now appears as a rocky bank forming a ring around the island, a number of metres inland from the modern shoreline.

The lack of human intervention in Drumlin Wood has resulted in the full range of natural woodland processes producing a remarkable variety for a compact area. On the top of the drumlin there are clearings under the dense shade of massive oak trees, slender ash trees stretching up to the light, patches of dense natural regneration of ash and beech where gaps in the canopy have increased the levels of light reaching the woodland floor, rotting wood at all stages of decomposition (mini beast heaven!) and blankets of ramsons (wild garlic). There is an active badger sett in the wood, and you may be lucky enough to see some of the red deer that roam around the lough's islands. The area is also known for its healthy populations of red squirrels and otters.

Drumlin Wood is a peaceful haven of tranquility, a great getaway where you can escape the pressures of everyday life and enjoy your own version of an island existence.

The purchasers of the woodland will be asked to enter into a covenant