National Trust - Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne

National Trust - Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne Perched above the Atlantic Ocean, Mussenden Temple sits within the coastal estate of Downhill Demesne. Dogs: Welcome on Leads. It helps
us to learn and grow.
(413)

We’re a charity looking after nature, beauty and history – for everyone, for ever. Visit the stunning landscape of Downhill Demesne, with its beautiful gardens and magnificent clifftop walks, affording rugged headland views across the awe-inspiring north coast. Discover the striking 18th-century mansion of the eccentric Earl Bishop that now lies in ruin, then explore Mussenden Tem

ple, perched on the cliff edge. As an extra treat you can learn about the reality of life in the rural 17th-century cottage of Hezlett House, told through the people who once lived in one of Northern Ireland's oldest surviving buildings. Don't miss
* Fantastic events through the year for all ages
* Enjoy a stroll around the inspiring gardens.
* Take in the panoramic views from Mussenden Temple with the chance of spotting passing dolphins and whales
* Children's Tracker Packs – include binoculars, compass and bird identification cards.
House Rules:
We want our page to be a place where people can share how
they feel about the National Trust and talk about their experiences in a fun
environment. We welcome feedback – both positive and negative. These house rules aim to ensure everyone can enjoy
themselves while they’re here. We ask you to be nice and polite to one another – you almost always are!
- and respect each other’s views and comments. We ask all users to ensure
your contributions are civil, polite, tasteful and suitable for all ages. We won’t
tolerate disruptive, offensive or abusive behaviour, unlawful or objectionable
content. This includes any material which might be defamatory, offensive,
infringing, obscene, lewd, pornographic, violent, abusive, insulting,
Social Media Guidelines 14
threatening, harassing, discriminatory, blasphemous, indecent or otherwise
unlawful or objectionable. It also includes any material which is aggressive,
argumentative or likely to be construed as bullying. No spamming or
repetition, please, nor off-topic material in subject-specific threads or areas. Moderation policy
In general, we don’t moderate posts – except on the rare occasion that
someone has used offensive language or made libellous allegations about
named or identifiable individuals on our page. We have a duty to protect our
staff and volunteers, so while deleting comments is totally out of character
for us, our legal position is that any post containing a libellous accusations,
should be removed. If an individual continues to post offensive, threatening or
libellous content then we’ll be forced to block that person from the page. We
won’t tolerate postings, content, or links that are racist, sexist or homophobic. We also don’t permit linking to or posting any content which endorses illegal
activity, or any activities against the values of the National Trust. If you’re concerned that a posting or user content has broken any of our house
rules or you’re worried about any comment or content then please send us an
email to: [email protected] and let us know

⚠️ Visitor NoticeDue to the 'Mid Summer Concerts' event taking place at Mussenden Temple on Sunday afternoon  (21 June),...
19/06/2026

⚠️ Visitor Notice

Due to the 'Mid Summer Concerts' event taking place at Mussenden Temple on Sunday afternoon (21 June), the car park at Lion’s Gate will be closed to the public from 12pm.

Please seek alternative parking if visiting Downhill Demesne on Sunday. We apologise for any inconvenience caused, appreciate your understanding, and hope ticketholders enjoy the event.

15/06/2026

POV: You swap your usual dog walk for the most beautiful, peaceful landscape😍🐕

Jordan the Cocker Spaniel approves and enjoyed every second (and sniff!) of his visit🥹✅

At Downhill Demesne, we're proud to be fully dog-friendly, with dogs on leads welcome in all outdoor areas🐾

From wandering through the sheltered clifftop gardens, to lakeside strolls and not forgetting to snap a pic outside the iconic Mussenden Temple, it's a 'paw-some' adventure your pooch will LOVE!

Just a couple of things to be aware of if you're planning on bringing your four-legged companion -

🐕‍🦺 Please keep your dog on a lead
🐮 You may spot grazing cattle during your visit - keeping dogs close by ensures they remain calm and undisturbed
🐦‍⬛ The site is home to ground nesting birds and local wildlife, so keeping dogs under control helps protect these special habitats

For more info on visiting with your pooch, please visit our website⬇️

🔗 https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/mussenden-temple-and-downhill-demesne/visiting-downhill-demesne-with-your-dog

💚 A well-deserved THANK YOU to the North Coast VolunteersLast week, we celebrated the incredible people who give their t...
13/06/2026

💚 A well-deserved THANK YOU to the North Coast Volunteers

Last week, we celebrated the incredible people who give their time, energy and endless amounts of kindness to our special places as part of Volunteer's Week🫶

To round off the week, staff and volunteers from across the The Giant's Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge - National Trust and Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne came together for a BBQ at Hezlett House. Despite the typical Causeway Coast weather (☔), the company was good, the craic was mighty and no one left hungry, thanks to Senior Visitor Experience Officer, Laurentiu!

A big thank you also goes to Ranger, Derek and Gardener, Una for all their behind the scenes prep in making the area so welcoming and vibrant, and to our Visitor Experience team for helping with set-up and take-down😀

💭 Senior Community, Participation and Volunteering, Rhonda says -

"The true impact of volunteering is often found in the small moments - the friendly welcomes, the shared conversations over tea, the encouragement that builds confidence, and the quiet acts of kindness that make all the difference.

Every volunteer brings something unique, and together, they help shape inclusive experiences, protect nature and heritage, and strengthen our organisation every single day.

To all the North Coast volunteers - THANK YOU! You are all so valued, appreciated and are at the very heart of everything we achieve together."

Fancy getting involved? For more info on volunteering on the North Coast, please get in touch!⬇️

📩 [email protected]

National Trust

🗺️ Guided Historical Tour of Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne Embark on a journey of historical discovery and uncov...
11/06/2026

🗺️ Guided Historical Tour of Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne

Embark on a journey of historical discovery and uncover the drama, vision and legacy that’s shaped one of Northern Ireland’s most captivating coastal landscapes…

Join us on the next instalment of our guided historical tours, in partnership with the Hervey Heritage Society as we delve into the remarkable story of Earl Bishop Hervey - where grand design meets bold architectural beauty🏛️

Throughout this 2-hour immersive experience, you’ll have the chance to wander through the Earl Bishop’s exquisitely designed gardens AND, have the exclusive opportunity to step inside the magnificent Mussenden Temple for views you’ll never forget👀

Perfect for curious minds, history and nature gurus, or for those that just fancy doing something a little different with their Monday morning💚

📆 Monday 15 June
⏰ 10:30am - 12:30pm
🎟️ £15 per person
🔗 Pre-booking essential (very limited availability remaining) - https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/mussenden-temple-and-downhill-demesne/events

National Trust NI

01/06/2026

💚 Happy Volunteer’s Week!

At the Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede and Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne, our hard-working, dedicated and passionate volunteers make it possible for us to preserve these special places of nature, beauty and history for future generations.

From friendly welcomes, essential maintenance, to event support, gardening and everything you do behind the scenes, your time, energy and enthusiasm make a real difference every single day - we couldn’t do what we do without you🫶

We’re grateful to have you all as part of the North Coast family🥰

National Trust NI

🎶 Music at Mussenden Temple Join us for a fantastic all-abilities fun day at Mussenden Temple!🤩We’re delighted to be par...
29/05/2026

🎶 Music at Mussenden Temple

Join us for a fantastic all-abilities fun day at Mussenden Temple!🤩

We’re delighted to be partnering with the Mae Murray Foundation to offer a fully accessible, relaxed session filled with music, crafts and engaging sensory play for all ages and abilities, set against the breath-taking backdrop of Mussenden Temple💜

♿️ Entry into Mussenden Temple is supported by a stairclimber
🚾 A mobile Changing Places facility will be available on-site
🚌 An accessible shuttle service will be in operation from Lion’s Gate car park, providing close access to the Temple

This is a chance to experience one of Northern Ireland’s most iconic landmarks in a truly inclusive and accessible way🫶

📆 Thursday 30 July
⏰ 2pm - 4pm
🎟️ Free admission applies
🔗 Booking essential via the Mae Murray Foundation's official website - https://mae-murray-foundation.eventcube.io/events/95822/music-at-mussenden/

National Trust NI

🔨 Many hands make light work...At the start of May, we had the pleasure of welcoming a fantastic team from Liberty IT to...
24/05/2026

🔨 Many hands make light work...

At the start of May, we had the pleasure of welcoming a fantastic team from Liberty IT to Downhill Demesne for a Corporate Volunteering Day!

With expert guidance and knowledge of Ranger, Derek and the invaluable support of Volunteer, Ian and our brilliant Visitor Experience team, the Liberty IT group tackled some tough terrain, hauling path dust up steep slopes, but their smiles never faded!😅

For many in the Liberty IT team, it was a great opportunity to step away from the laptop, get outdoors into nature and see the impact of their efforts first-hand. We're beyond grateful for their energy, enthusiasm and support💚

National Trust NI

🗺️ Guided Historical Tour of Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne Ever wondered what stories are hidden behind the wall...
19/05/2026

🗺️ Guided Historical Tour of Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne

Ever wondered what stories are hidden behind the walls of Mussenden Temple? Or what drove the vision of the Earl Bishop’s extraordinary Downhill estate?👀

This Bank Holiday Monday, experience it for yourself…

In partnership with the Hervey Heritage Society, we’re delighted to bring you the next instalment of our guided historical tours, diving into the story, ambition and legacy of Earl Bishop Hervey and his remarkable estate at Downhill.

🌸 Wander through the carefully crafted Earl Bishop’s Gardens
🏛️ Uncover the fascinating story of Downhill House and it’s striking, bold design
🌊 AND, enjoy a rare opportunity to step inside the iconic Mussenden Temple

Swap the ordinary for something truly unforgettable this Bank Holiday - history, fresh sea air and one of the best views along the North Coast💚

📆 Monday 25 May
⏰ 10:30am - 12:30pm
🎟️ £15 per person
🔗 Limited availability remaining - https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/mussenden-temple-and-downhill-demesne/events

National Trust NI

Join us on a guided historical tour of one of the jewels of the North Coast as we take you round the Earl Bishop Hervey’s estate.

Nature can’t “wait a wee minute.” Today, Northern Ireland is one of the most nature-depleted places in the world. Nature...
18/05/2026

Nature can’t “wait a wee minute.” Today, Northern Ireland is one of the most nature-depleted places in the world.

Nature is essential to all of our lives. It’s the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat. It protects our communities from flooding and extreme heat, supports our health and wellbeing, and brings beauty and connection to our everyday lives.

It is not a nice-to-have. And it is not a blocker to growth.

Yet nature is in freefall. Wildlife continues to decline, water quality is failing, and too many people are increasingly cut off from the natural spaces that help communities thrive.

That’s why today we are launching a Nature=Future e-action, a campaign calling on the NI Government to act now to:

🌱 Restore nature
🦋 Protect and invest in wildlife
🏡 Build resilient futures for communities

We’re asking people across Northern Ireland to contact their MLAs and demand action. Please click the link below and show your support⬇️

🔗 https://campaigns.nationaltrust.org.uk/page/190930/action/1?ea.tracking.id=ni_faceboook

It takes less than two minutes to add your voice.

National Trust NI

Address

107 Sea Road
Castlerock
BT514TW

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when National Trust - Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Share