Know Before You Go: How Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark Is Making Fermanagh Accessible for Everyone
There is a quiet but significant shift happening in how tourism destinations communicate with visitors. Not just what they say, but how they say it — and crucially, who they are saying it to. The Know Before You Go guide produced under the Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark framework is a good example of that shift in action. And Belmore Court & Motel is proud to be one of the first businesses in the network to publish its own version.
The Idea Behind Know Before You Go
The concept of a Know Before You Go guide is straightforward: give visitors the information they need before they travel, not after they arrive. For many people — those with disabilities, sensory differences, anxiety, or cognitive impairments — uncertainty about what to expect is itself a barrier to travel. Not knowing whether there is accessible parking, whether the entrance has steps, whether there is somewhere quiet to sit, or whether staff will understand their needs, is enough to put a trip off entirely.
A well-made Know Before You Go guide removes that uncertainty. It answers the practical questions in plain language, before anyone has to ask. It tells a guest what the place looks, sounds, and feels like. It sets expectations honestly. And in doing so, it extends a genuine welcome to visitors who might otherwise assume a destination is not for them.
The Lead Being Taken by Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark
The Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark covers a remarkable stretch of landscape across Fermanagh — a territory of lakes, caves, ancient geology, and living communities. The Geopark is also home to a Regenerative Tourism Business Network: a group of local businesses committed not just to minimising their environmental footprint but to actively improving the communities and landscapes they operate within.
Accessibility is central to that regenerative vision. The Geopark’s network has developed a Know Before You Go guide framework and encouraged member businesses to produce their own guides — written in plain English, supported by Photosymbols imagery, and designed to be genuinely useful to people with a wide range of needs.
The Geopark’s own guide sets the standard: clear, short sentences, real photographs of real places, a section on sensory tools in nature, and practical information about what to expect on arrival. Crucially, it treats accessibility not as a box-ticking exercise but as hospitality — the same instinct that drives any good host to make sure their guest knows where to park, where the entrance is, and that someone will be there to help.
The final page of the guide carries an important commitment: the network is “continuously working on improving accessibility” and actively invites feedback. Guests can send their thoughts to info@cuilcaghlakelands.org. This is accessibility as an ongoing practice, not a one-off publication.
The Belmore Court & Motel Know Before You Go Guide
Belmore Court & Motel occupies a particular position within the Geopark network. As the only 4-star motel accommodation in Northern Ireland, based in Enniskillen at the heart of the Fermanagh Lakelands, it is often a guest’s first point of contact with the destination. The Know Before You Go guide produced for Belmore Court builds directly on the Geopark framework — and adds the specific detail that guests need before they arrive at this particular property.
The guide covers everything from how to book — online at motel.co.uk, by email, or by phone on 028 6632 6633 — to the reassurance that reception is staffed 24 hours a day and that no question is too small to ask before travel. It explains the free car park and accessible parking spaces near the entrance. It sets out check-in from 3pm and check-out by 11am, with luggage storage available for those arriving early or leaving late.
On accessibility, the guide is specific and practical. Rooms with wider doorways and walk-in showers are available and can be requested at booking. Support is in place for guests who are visually impaired or hard of hearing. The tone throughout is welcoming rather than clinical: we want to make your stay as comfortable as possible.
The guide also reflects the property’s two distinct accommodation types honestly. En-suite rooms sit alongside self-contained motel units with mini kitchens — a distinction that matters to families, self-caterers, and guests who prefer independence over service. Breakfast is available on site, tea and coffee facilities are in every room, and shops, cafes and restaurants are nearby for those who need them.
Perhaps most importantly for the Geopark context, the Belmore Court guide places the property firmly within the landscape it inhabits. Guests learn that the motel is a member of the Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark’s Business Sustainability Network, holds a Green Tourism Gold Award, and has five electric vehicle chargers on site. They are encouraged to reuse towels and turn off lights. They are pointed towards the Cuilcagh Boardwalk — the famous Stairway to Heaven — Marble Arch Caves, and the sweeping views from Magho Cliffs over Lower Lough Erne.
There is even a section on sensory tools in nature: the outdoor seating area, the scents of the surrounding environment, the sound of birdsong, the shapes in the clouds. It is a small thing, but it matters. It tells a guest with sensory needs that the world outside their room has been thought about too.
Why This Matters
The Know Before You Go approach matters for two reasons that are easily conflated but worth separating. The first is ethical: every visitor deserves the information they need to make an informed decision about whether a place is right for them. The second is commercial: accessible tourism is not a niche market. Visitors with disabilities, older travellers, families with young children, and anyone who simply appreciates clarity before they commit to a journey represent a significant and underserved segment of the travelling public.
By taking the lead on this within the Geopark network — producing a guide that is honest, practical, and written in plain language for everyone — Belmore Court & Motel is doing something genuinely useful. It is making Fermanagh easier to reach.
Know Before you go guide FAQ
What is a Know Before You Go guide?
A Know Before You Go guide gives visitors everything they need to plan their trip before they travel — not after they arrive. It covers practical information like parking, check-in times, and accessibility in plain, easy-to-read language, so guests can make informed decisions and arrive feeling confident and prepared.
Who are Know Before You Go guides designed for?
They are designed for everyone, but they are particularly valuable for guests with disabilities, sensory differences, anxiety, cognitive impairments, or any condition that makes uncertainty about a new place stressful. A good Know Before You Go guide removes that uncertainty.
Why is plain English important in these guides?
Plain English makes information accessible to the widest possible audience — including people with learning disabilities, guests for whom English is a second language, older travellers, and anyone who simply wants a clear, honest answer rather than marketing language.
What is the Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark?
The Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark is a UNESCO Global Geopark covering a remarkable landscape across Co. Fermanagh. It protects and celebrates the area’s unique geology, caves, loughs, wildlife, and cultural heritage, while actively involving local communities and businesses in its management.
What is the Geopark's Regenerative Tourism Business Network?
It is a network of local businesses — including accommodation providers, attractions, and activity operators — committed to tourism that gives back to the landscape and community rather than simply extracting value from it. Members work to improve environmental practice, accessibility, and the overall visitor experience across the destination.
Why is the Geopark leading on Know Before You Go guides?
The Geopark’s regenerative tourism vision places accessibility alongside sustainability as a core principle. A destination that is only accessible to some visitors is not truly open. By developing a Know Before You Go framework and encouraging member businesses to publish their own guides, the Geopark is working to make Fermanagh genuinely welcoming for every type of visitor.
Can I give feedback on a Know Before You Go guide?
Yes — and the network actively wants it. The Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark’s Regenerative Tourism Business Network is committed to continuously improving accessibility across the destination. Feedback on any guide can be sent to info@cuilcaghlakelands.org.
