Things to see & do
Highlights at Downhill Demesne and Hezlett House
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Downhill Demesne
Downhill Demesne
Enjoy lots of fresh air when visiting Downhill Demesne and discover woodlands, gardens, ruins, open grassland and Mussenden Temple sitting right on the edge of a cliff.
© Marleen de Kramer
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Hezlett House
Hezlett House
Hezlett House, a 17th-century cottage, is one of the oldest surviving buildings in Northern Ireland. See the history of the house and its occupants come to life!
Hezlett House also houses the Downhill Marbles collection, and the reception offers hot drinks and snacks.
© Chris Hill
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Walking
Walking
The spectacular cliff-top walk skirts the edge of the property - climb up from the Black Glen past the Belvedere, follow the boundary wall past Mussenden Temple, and see whether you can spot the ice pond on the way to the dovecote.
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Events
Events
We offer a lot of different events throughout the year from guided walks to theatre performances, concerts and seasonal highlights like Halloween at Hezlett House.
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50 things campaign
50 things campaign
Are you up for the challenge?
Here at Downhill Demesne and Hezlett House our top five '50 things to do before you're 11¾' include climbing a tree, hunting for bugs, eating an apple straight from a tree, feel like you're flying in the wind and plant it, grow it, eat it.
Visit www.50things.org.uk
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Downhill Demesne
Hezlett House
Walking
Events
50 things campaignWhat's on this summer?
We're worth a visit at any time of year, but we've some extra-special events coming up this year. Highlights include our high flying Kite Festival in August and a spectacular open air theatre production in the ruins.
Archaeology project in Downhill ruins
We've been working on our third archaeological dig at Downhill this year. The aim of the project is to discover more about the history, development and use of this former mansion.
Don't miss...
- 50 things to do before you're 11¾ campaign
- Bishop's Gate gardens are at their best in May and June
- Music Sundays throughout July and August
- Bluebells in May
- Nesting sea birds on the cliffs
- Hezlett allotments in full swing in July and August