Downhill Demesne and Mussenden Temple

From the Lion's Gate car park, a path runs north-west through the woods to Mussenden Temple, the round library the Earl Bishop of Derry built in 1785 on the cliff edge above Downhill Strand. The walk turns back south to the roofless ruin of Downhill House, then loops east through the demesne by the Earl Bishop's Tree Trail before returning to Lion's Gate.

It is 2.8 km round with 55 m of ascent; allow about three quarters of an hour. The grade is Easy: gravel tracks and grass paths with a few steps, short enough for children. Keep well back from the cliff edge at the temple.

The grounds are open from dawn to dusk and dogs must be on leads. Mussenden Temple itself was shown as closed on 10 October 2026: the interior opens only on certain days or for events, so check the Trust's page if you want to go in.

The Lion's Gate car park is pay and display at £10 a vehicle all day (card or the JustPark app, code 80563); National Trust members park free. Castlerock railway station is about 1.7 km from the start.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.