Mussenden Estate - Castlerock

Start : Black Glen Car Park, Castlerock, Coleraine (BT51 4RH). Small car park at the western end of Tunnel Brae, Castlerock, adjacent to the black stone gate lodge.

(S/E) From the car park, cross the stone step-over stile and proceed along a stone path adjacent to the boundary of the caravan park. Follow the grass path around the boundary of this cliff top headland, known locally as “The Moor”. (A)

The walk continues around the headland and then drops down a slope on the right via a well trodden earth and stone path towards the lake at Port Vantage.

(1) Care should be taken crossing the dam headwall before ascending the steps through the mature vegetation to emerge on higher open ground on the western side of the gorge. At this point it is possible to visit a low stone built circular enclosure known as Lady Erne’s Seat (B).

The walk follows the line of the stone boundary wall until reaching Mussenden Temple (C).

(2) From the Temple proceed South along the ‘avenue’ towards the ruins of Downhill House. Take time to explore these majestic ruins and study the interpretation panels provided.

(3) At this point, there are two options: or you proceed along the grass path in an Easterly direction (left) towards the Black Glen and return to the starting point via the ‘escallonia tunnel. Otherwise, head in a Southerly direction (straight) towards the Mausoleum before entering the Black Glen and returning to the starting point via the Glen and ‘escallonia tunnel’. (S/E)

Start : Black Glen Car Park, Castlerock, Coleraine (BT51 4RH). Small car park at the western end of Tunnel Brae, Castlerock, adjacent to the black stone gate lodge.

Driving to start : Follow signs for Castlerock. Enter the village via Sea Road, at the crossroads in the village centre turn left into Main Street, at the end of the main Street take a sharp left and then a sharp right into Tunnel Brae. Proceed past the caravan park until reaching the small car park at the dead end adjacent to the black stone gate lodge.

Parking : Black Glen Car Park, Castlerock, Coleraine (BT51 4RH)

Terrain : Grass and gravel paths

Public Transport : Translink

Facilities : Refreshments and toilets available in Castlerock.

Note : Please note that National Trust entry fees apply to this walk.

Find more information and walk ideas at Walk NI here.

(A) Point of View : Take time to enjoy the spectacular panoramic views afforded from this elevated coastal location. In clear visibility it is possible to view the following: Donegal’s Inishowen peninsula to the west; the Giants Causeway and Antrim Hills to the east, and the Paps of Jura, Scottish Isles to the north east. Extra care should be exercised at all times on this headland due to the proximity of severe cliff edges.
It is worth noting that a railway tunnel, approx. 500m long, passes under this headland (Coleraine to L’Derry line), one of two tunnels encountered at this coastal location. The tunnels were excavated towards the end of the 19th Century and are reputedly the longest such tunnels in Ireland.

(B) Lady Erne’s Seat. It is uncertain whether this structure, built in memory of the Bishop’s daughter Mary, was simply a view point, or whether, with its wind gaps, it served a more utilitarian purpose as a threshing and winnowing floor for dealing with the corn harvest.

(C) Mussenden Temple, arguably one of the most iconic and photographed structures along the North Antrim coastline. The Temple, modelled on the Temple of Vesta at Tivoli, Italy, was built as a library and dedicated to the Bishop’s cousin, Mrs Mussenden.