If you go down to the woods near Bawnboy, County Cavan, you are sure of a big surprise, for teddy bear heaven is just beside Brackley Lake on the borders of Fermanagh and Leitrim.

Bear Essentials designs and hand makes its own unique bears which are only sold in their teddy bear gift shop. The teddy bear gift shop displays famous brands like Steiff, Charlie Bears, Jellycat, Bukowski Bears and, of course, Anke's one off mohair collector teddy bears and baby essentials.

Make your very own teddy bear, or avail of a workshop with afternoon tea. You can book in for a half or full day in traditional teddy bear making and go home with your very own creation. Bear Essentials also offers presentations and demonstrations for tour groups, including talks about the long history of the teddy bear and its everlasting appeal. The Silver Bear Centre has a selection of old teddy bears, including some that have been admitted to the Teddy Bear Hospital.

Bear Essentials can arrange overnight packages in conjunction with local bed and breakfasts, or the Slieve Russell Hotel in Ballyconnell. Bear Essentials and the Silver Bear Centre are both wheelchair accessible and there is ample parking space for cars and buses.

For younger visitors to Bear Essentials, there is a little playground and a small fairy forest.

Outside of their opening hours they can also take bookings for visits to the shop and for Build A Bear parties. Their online shop is open 24/7 and orders are shipped Monday to Friday.