Downhill Lodge is a detached one-and-a-half storey dwelling, accessed via a basalt stone pillared entrance and approached via an immaculate paviour brickwork sweeping driveway, flanked with restored Edwardian style lamps on pillars offering an elegant sense of arrival.

The property is constructed of beautiful Basalt stone and features timber sash windows contained in complementary semi-circular relieving arches with red brick voussoirs window openings, and Bangor blue slated roof tiles. Downhill Lodge was listed B2 in 1977 and in the early 1990s a number of alterations were made including a large extension to the rear of the dwelling and a timber conservatory abutting the re-entrant angle to the east.

The property extends to a total of 2,820 square feet, offering generous and well balanced proportions, as set out in the accompanying plans. The detail and finishes internally are notable, with the accommodation being equally suitable for modern family living and entertaining. The entrance porch leads through to an impressive double height gallery hall with overlooking balcony, an oculus and stained glass feature windows. The bright hallway features double doors leading out to the west garden area, and gives access to the two main reception rooms positioned to the front of the house, including a dining room and drawing room. Both reception rooms feature 1920s marble fireplaces with a back boiler, with the drawing room hosting access to the conservatory via double, glass panel doors, creating an excellent space for entertaining.

The kitchen includes an extensive range of floor and wall mounted units, as well as built in appliances, and also leads through to the conservatory area. A utility room is located off the kitchen offering further storage and amenities, benefitting from back door access. Further accommodation on the ground floor includes a WC, cloakroom, boiler/electrics room and extensive under stairs storage.

The bedroom accommodation is laid out on the first floor and comprises the master bedroom with en-suite and two further spacious double bedrooms to the front of the house with built in wardrobe storage. On a clear day, the upstairs rooms benefit from impressive views of the Giant’s Causeway and as far as Islay in Scotland.
Additionally, the first floor features the main bathroom and hot press. A fully floored insulated attic can also be accessed via the first floor which offers substantial additional storage space.

Externally, the house sits south-facing amidst established immaculate garden grounds laid to lawn, bounded by a Basalt stone wall on an extensive plot of about 1 acre. The wall boundary to the west of Downhill Lodge was constructed in 1780 as part of the Earl Bishop’s building of Downhill Castle, whilst the wall to the east was
constructed in 1824 with Downhill Lodge, all recently having been carefully restored by the current vendor. Situated to the rear of the property is a garage constructed c.50 years ago with Basalt stone to complement the main dwelling, with a small storehouse adjacent, formerly utilised as dog kennels.

Downhill Lodge even comes with its own domain name!

 

HISTORY

Downhill Lodge and its environs are steeped in history. It is built on what was ancient church land. The first church on the site is said to have been founded by St Patrick in the 5th century. The Annals of the Four Masters record a medieval battle fought there between the O'Loughlins and an Anglo-Norman force in 1182. A later church dating from the 1100s was 'well repaired' by the Clothworkers Company in 1622 and then destroyed by the retreating army of King James II en route from the Siege of Derry in 1689 to the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. The remains of that church can still be seen near Downhill Lodge.

When the remarkable 'Earl Bishop' - Frederick Augustus Hervey, 4th Earl of Bristol and Lord Bishop of Derry, PC, FRS - died in Italy 8 July 1803, he left all his property in the Kingdom of Ireland to his cousin the Rev Sir Henry Hervey Aston Bruce (1764–1822), who was created a Baronet 29 June 1804. Included in that inheritance was the Downhill Castle and Demesne - which then became his home, and that of the succeeding Bruce baronets. Also part of that was the Mussenden Temple, which the Earl Bishop built in 1785 as his library and named in honour of his young cousin Frideswide Bruce (sister of the first baronet, who had married Daniel
Mussenden in 1781).

Downhill Lodge was designed in 1822 by the Rev Sir Henry Hervey Aston Bruce, 1st Baronet as the first ever schoolhouse in the area. The building was then completed in 1824 by his son Sir James Robertson Bruce, 2nd Baronet (1788–1836), who had been an officer in the Royal Horse Artillery at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, and was a Vice Lieutenant of County Londonderry.

Inherited by his son Sir Henry Hervey Bruce, 3rd Baronet, PC (1820–1907), who was the MP for Coleraine 1862–74 and 1880–85, and Lord Lieutenant for County Londonderry 1877–1907. His brother, the Rev Lloyd Stuart Bruce was the father of Edith Agnes Kathleen Bruce who married Captain Robert Falcon Scott, CVO - 'Scott of the Antarctic' - and their son was the broadcaster, conservationist and painter Sir Peter Scott, CH (1909–89). When Downhill Castle was restored following a fire in 1851 - a new school house was built nearby in Castlerock - and Downhill Lodge was adapted to become the Gamekeeper's House for the Downhill Demesne.

Inherited by his son Lt-Col Sir Hervey Juckes Lloyd Bruce, 4th Baronet, JP, DL (1843–1919), who was an officer in the Coldstream Guards, and whose youngest son Henry James Bruce, CMG, MVO (1880–1951) was a diplomat who married the Russian ballerina Tamara Karsavina (1885–1978) and wrote two fascinating books describing his family, youth and life at Downhill.

Inherited by his eldest son Sir Hervey Ronald Bruce, 5th Baronet, JP, DL (1872–1924), who was a captain in the Irish Guards and later a Major in the Royal Irish Regiment receiving the Queen's and King's medals with seven clasps. Downhill Lodge then became the Estate Manager's House for the Downhill Demesne.

Inherited by his son Sir Hervey John William Bruce, 6th Baronet (1919–1971), who sold the Downhill Castle and Demesne in 1949-52,when the Mussenden Temple was bought by the National Trust. Since then Downhill Lodge has had two owners with the present one having a connection with the Bruce family.

 

SITUATION

Downhill Lodge is a charming historic period property (late Georgian era) and has an Idyllic, peaceful setting in one of the 8 designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (Binevenagh AONB). Situated on the stunning north coast, the property lies a short distance from the seaside village of Castlerock, and benefits from extraordinary views to the world heritage site of the Giant's Causeway, and the Scottish Inner Hebrides islands of Jura, as well as the 'Queen of the Hebrides' Islay.

Downhill Lodge is situated immediately adjacent to the grounds owned by The National Trust which includes Bishop’s Gate Lodge, Downhill Demesne and Mussenden Temple, one of the most photographed buildings in Northern Ireland. The Temple has a latin inscription around its freeze: ‘Suave, mari magno turbantibus aequora ventis e terra magnum alterius spectare laborem’ which translated reads ‘Tis pleasant, to safely behold from shore the rolling ship, and hear the tempest roar’. It is perched on the edge of a 120 ft cliff top, offering breath-taking views of sunsets west over Downhill Strand to Magilligan Point and beyond to Inishowen, County Donegal; or east of sunrises towards the Giant’s Causeway and beyond to the Mull of Kintyre, Scotland.

Downhill Beach is a short walk from the property, and is part of an 11km/7 mile stretch of sand and surf, offering a wealth of activities including gliding at one of the world’s oldest gliding clubs (formed in 1930), water sports and scenic walks. Downhill beach and dunes is an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) due to the quality of the sand dunes and associated flora and fauna. This special landscape offers opportunities for nature walks and sightings of bird life amongst a backdrop of cascading waterfalls tumbling down the cliff faces. There is a generous array of other beaches nearby including Benone Beach, Castlerock Beach, and Portstewart Strand.

Whilst surrounded by coastline and countryside, Downhill Lodge is ideally located for commuting being just 1 mile from the Northern Ireland Railways main Belfast-Derry railway line. The vibrant and thriving capital city of Belfast is within daily commuting distance via the A26 & M2 (61.7 miles) and offers the complete range of shopping, educational and cultural facilities. Belfast International Airport is 49.3 miles southeast, while Belfast City Airport is 64.7 miles southeast.

Located on the north coast, Downhill Lodge has many attractions nearby which draw visitors from all over the world, including the world heritage site of the Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge, the famous Bushmills Distillery and “Game of Thrones” locations such as ‘Dragonstone’ at Downhill, Ballintoy Harbour and The Dark Hedges. There are also beautiful walks and hiking in the surrounding area including Downhill Forest, Binevenagh, Somerset Forest and Springwell Forest to name a few.

For golfing enthusiasts there is an abundance of facilities locally including Castlerock Golf Club, Portstewart Golf Club, and the world-famous Royal Portrush Golf Club with two links courses and is considered one of the finest golf courses in the world, where the 153rd Open Championship will take place 13-20 July 2025.

There is an excellent selection of primary and secondary schools available in the area, as well as Ulster University Coleraine Campus 8.5 miles distant.