Downhill demesne was laid out in the late 18th century by the eccentric Earl and Bishop, Frederick Hervey. Starting at Bishop’s Gate, walk past a quaint gothic-styled gate lodge (private residence) and enter the Bishop’s Gate Gardens, with its unusual bog garden. At a fork go right along a well surfaced woodland path and through an arboretum with many rare tree species. At another fork follow the signs for Mussenden Temple up a slightly steep grass track. Proceed through a wooden gate for the gaunt ruins of Downhill House. Explore the ruins or head to Mussenden Temple perched on the cliff edge, with impressive views of the North Coast and some of the Western Isles of Scotland. Choose to retrace your steps, or head west along the mown grass track through hay meadows to the circular dovecote, with Ice House below, and a fantasy landscape of a walled garden. Exiting the walled garden, all paths lead back to the Downhill House ruins, and just before the front of the house veer right following a grass track to the Mausoleum, then back to the gardens at Bishop’s Gate.