Built in the 1690’s, Hezlett House is one of the oldest buildings in Northern Ireland; very few dwellings survive from before the 18th century. The house is also significant for its style of construction. Its structure is formed of cruck trusses, naturally curved pieces of timber acting as upright posts and sloping rafters. These crucks were placed together in arches to form the skeleton of the house with the walls being formed of earth and rubble a form of construction more common in Great Britain than Ireland. The outside was covered in roughcast and thatched, formerly in flax, and is now wheat straw.
It was initially a Church of Ireland rectory and became a diary farm in 1761 when Isaac Hezlett bought the cottage and some surrounding land. Successive generations of the Hezlett’s, lived there until 1976 when it was sold to the National Trust.
Hezlett House, Mussenden Temple and facilities:
24 March – 30 September 2012
10am – 5pm
How to get here
By train: Castlerock ½ mile
By road: 1 mile west of Castlerock and 5 miles west of Coleraine on Coleraine to Downhill coast road (A2)
By ferry: Magilligan to Greencastle ferry (8 miles)
By bus: Ulsterbus 234 Coleraine to Londonderry, alight crossroads, few minutes walk
By cycle: NCN93 borders property
Don’t miss:

• Enjoy a stroll around the inspiring gardens
• Take in the panoramic views from Mussenden Temple
• Children’s Tracker Packs – which include binoculars, compass and bird identification cards
• Visit the garden restoration project at the Bishop’s Gate
• Take part in the archaeology project at Downhill Demesne

Hezlett House is also home to the Downhill Marbles Collection.
Experience one of our many events. Events held at here include: Leprechaun Trail, Easter Trail, Kite Festival, Open Air Theatre, Music Concerts and guided walks.
Telephone:
028 70848728
Email:
downhilldemesne@nationaltrust.org.uk