Downhill Demesne is the clifftop estate laid out on the County Londonderry coast by Frederick Hervey, the eccentric Earl Bishop of Derry, whose 18th-century mansion now stands as a roofless ruin above Downhill Strand. Mussenden Temple, built in 1785 as his library and modelled on the Temple of Vesta at Tivoli, sits on the cliff edge and is one of the most photographed buildings in Ireland. The gentle walk from Lion's Gate car park passes the ruins of Downhill House and reaches the temple in under a mile, while the Bishop's Gate trail takes in the sheltered garden, arboretum and mausoleum. Reviewers praise the well-kept paths, the views across to Benone Strand and the space for children and dogs on leads. Tips from regulars: the pay and display machine takes cards only and members should scan their card on arrival; refreshments come only from Al's take-away coffee hut at Lion's Gate; and the clifftop is exposed, so bring a windproof layer.
