Downhill Demesne & Hezlett House

While staying in Castlerock I decided to give this place a viewing. After driving past the previous evening I noticed that the admission fee was 7.50 Euros each. So the next day I walked up following the main street then following the sign for the Ulster Way which takes you up a sharp hill with a row of cottages on your left and a caravan park on your right. As you walk along the road you come to a cottage on its own but walk past there and follow the signs.

As I walked towards the temple there was a bit of mud around but the walk along the cliffs was lovely with views over towards Lough Foyle on your left and the the Giant's Causeway on your right. On a clear day you can also see the Scottish Isles in front of you. If you're lucky you might see the train from Castlerock coming through the tunnel if you visit at the right time.

When I got to the temple, it was closed due to repairs being made to the floor, the mansion behind is all derelict although you can walk through it and around it. But why anyone would be charged all this money to see a dilapidated ruin and little else is a mystery to me. The entry fee should be much less for those wanting to pay. There was a lovely fresh breeze along the cliffs and I was the only person around when I visited. The views are excellent but there is little else at the moment to encourage people to want to pay.

We took a run up here as we we're staying in the area, glad we did as it's a pretty cool place with lots of history. There are some nice walks up here and it's well looked after by the National Trust, our entry fee was £5 which in my option was well worth it. The views are stunning and if you get a good day can see for miles.

There are two places you can access the place from - The Bishops Gate and The Lions Gate and both are on the same road.

The Bishops Gate has parking in front and to access the ruin and temple, there is a walk through some gardens which have been restored by the National Trust.

The Lions Gate has parking but also a cafe and is closer to the ruin and temple.

There is a mausoleum in poor condition which was created for the 4th Marquis of Bristol in front of the ruin. The ruin itself is large with some hints of its former glory with the odd carved stone door frame. The temple is right on top of the cliff behind the ruin.

There is no shelter at all, and the day I went there was a strong wind and torrential rain.

If it is cold or rainy suggest you use the Lion's Gate where there is a cafe and toilet.

Interesting 18th Century mansion ruins leading to Mussenden Temple overlooking Downhill Beach.

Car parking charge is £5 at the Lion's Gate payable via phone which is a terrible automated service. There is also Al's Coffee shop & toilets on site.

You can also park at Bishop's Gate, just down the road, for free admission.

Cannot comment on Hezlett House, as it was bot open when we visited in early April.

We visited Downhill and Mussenden Temple. We found this to be a very worthwhile stop.

Parking is adequate, £7.50 for the day - you'll only be here around an hour though if you're only looking at the ruins and Temple.

Downhill is interesting to walk through on your way to see Mussenden Temple.

At the Temple, look over the walls on the clifftop - the view fown onto the beach is spectacular.

I came here early every morning during my visit to Castlerock. Loved it.
It was grest wandering around the open spaces, the bog garden in the Bishop Gate area.
The atmospheric ruined house was great early in the morning, very quiet. Great views of downhill beach from the temple.
You can park in castlerock by the caravan park and there is a path that takes you into the Demesne via Black Glen.
Not to be missed if you are in the area.

This a well spaced out old ruin so there’s no one-way system round the site as there’s plenty of room to move about. The old ruined house gives you a glimpse of how things used to be; the buildings in the grounds are not open so you can just wonder round the outside and read the info boards. If you Venture down to the lake in the glen, take stout walking shoes.

We have walked to the Downhill Demesne many times from the direction of the hilltop caravan park in Castlerock via the Black Glen . The scenery appears more spectacular every time we do it ! Standing near the old library we love looking down over Downhill beach towards Benone beach - fantastic!
Hezlett House is really well maintained and is beautiful to look at . Just a pity entry isn’t permitted at this time .
All in all , the whole area is well worth a visit !!

We parked at the Bishop’s gate and walked through gate, the small gardens and up the hillside. Entry and parking at this gate was free. We walked through the mansion ruins and then out to the edge of the cliff to the Temple. We could not go inside the Temple but it makes for some great photos especially on a wet windy day. The views over the beach were amazing. We then walked around to the Lions gate where there are toilets and finally had a warming drink at Al’s.

Lucky to visit on ehod (some form or European open doors day). 1 hour tour around the ground and access to the temple. Great views and history. Knowledgeable and enthusiastic NT volunteer guide. Shame there are not the resources for the temple to open more frequently. No bets being offered on how long the Temple will survive against the retreat of the cliffs from erosion!!