On the drive up from Belfast I came across Hezlett House first, if i am honest I noticed the National Trust signs and went in for a nosey. Hewlett House is a pretty cottage which is furnished how it would have been when occupied by the Hewlett family who ran a dairy farm on the land. As well as the family history local legend has it that a Highway Man called Cushy Glen was hanged from a tree in the garden for crimes committed on Windchill Road.
'Hezlett House''The Hanging Tree'
After around 20 minutes or so exploring the house I headed up the road to Downhill. As I discovered there are two entrances to the Demesne/Temple, Bishops Gate and Lions Gate, we chose the Lions Gate as it has a carpark and various picnic tables!! After exploring the walled garden, ice house and dovecote, we had our picnic, dodged some wasps and started the walk up to the Temple. The first thing you come across on the walk up are the impressive ruins of Downhill Demesne, built in the 18th Century by the Bishop of Derry, this is a large complex of ruins and my nephew could have spent hours exploring and letting his imagination run wild!!!!
As it was we had a quick look around and headed on down to the Temple which was originally designed as a library. I don't say this very often but wow, I think this is now my favourite place in Northern Ireland, the views were incredible (helped by the blue skies), you could see for miles over the golden beaches of Portstewart and Downhill and across to the hills of Donegal; I could really understand why so many people have their wedding pictures taken here!
Word of warning though, it is very high up and right on the edge of a cliff (apparently you used to be able to ride a horse and carriage around it) so if you are afraid of heights be wary, a girl inside the Temple was forcing herself to look outside the window!
After a few pics (including the essential selfie) we headed back to the car and on to Downhill Beach. From here we headed back up the hill to the Bishops Gate entrance, there is limited parking at this entrance and its botanical feel is in stark contrast to the wild feel of Lions Gate; I even got a mini tour of the rare trees and plant life by the NT Ranger Paul (both Paul and Eoin were extremely friendly and knowledgeable). It's at this entrance you will find the Bishops Trail children's area, essentially a wooden obstacle course and if there wasn't a family on it I would have been tempted to have a go myself!
If any of you like to keep a memento of your visits you can purchase a National Trust Passport at a cost of £4 which you can get stamped at each property (you will get two stamps here, 1 for Mussenden Temple and the other for Hezlett House).
Disabled access - Quite hilly and loose gravel/grassy paths so would be difficult for wheelchairs, my dad also had to stop for a breather on the way back up from the Temple.
Children's activities - Bishop's Trail play area and 50 Things to do before 11 3/4.
Entrance Fee - Non NT Trust members; Adult £4.95, Child £2.50, Family £12.40 (keep your receipts as there are different entrance points)
I really enjoyed my day here and would recommend a visit.
