Downhill Beach and Mussenden Temple Walk
County Londonderry
The Downhill Demesne and Mussenden Temple Walk runs across the National Trust cliff top estate from the Bishop's Gate down through the ruined Downhill House to Mussenden Temple, poised on the edge of a 36 metre basalt cliff above the Atlantic, before dropping to Downhill Beach via the Black Glen path. It is a dog friendly coastal route with some of the most photogenic views on the north coast.
Dogs are welcome on a lead on the demesne and can run off the lead on Downhill Beach outside the seasonal bird protection zone near the Bann estuary. Surfaces are compacted gravel estate paths, short grass, stone steps and firm beach sand. Parking is available at Bishop's Gate, Lion's Gate and the Downhill Beach slipway car park, with toilets and a cafe in Castlerock village.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 5.5 km (3.4 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 2 hr
- Walk Type
- Coastal, Historic, Park
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- Toilets and shop at Bishop's Gate seasonally, cafes and public toilets in Castlerock village.
- Parking
- Free at Bishop's Gate and Lion's Gate car parks, paid at the Downhill Beach slipway in peak season.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Downhill Beach and Mussenden Temple Walk, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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What’s Nearby?
Beach0.2 mi awayDownhill Strand
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A spectacular National Trust beach below Mussenden Temple with seven miles of sand and year-round access - one of Ireland's finest beaches.
Beach4.1 mi awayPortstewart Strand
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A National Trust beach with two miles of pristine sand and year-round access, one of Northern Ireland's finest with cars permitted to drive on the beach.
Walk4.2 mi awayPort Path: Portstewart to Portrush
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A Causeway Coast cliff walk from Portstewart Strand to Portrush with Atlantic views and dramatic headland scenery.
Walk6 mi awayBinevenagh Summit Walk, Limavady
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A dog friendly short mountain walk to a dramatic basalt escarpment above Magilligan with huge views over Lough Foyle and Donegal.
Walk7 mi awaySomerset Forest and Mountsandel Wood Circular
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A flat riverside forest walk along the Bann with quiet stretches for a dog off the lead, and the site of Ireland's earliest known settlement for you.
Walk10.2 mi awayRoe Valley Country Park Circular
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A dog friendly riverside country park with waterfalls, gorge paths and old linen mill ruins threaded along the Roe.