Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne

Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne is a clifftop National Trust estate on the North Coast, open to dogs on leads throughout the historic grounds. The 18th-century coastal landscape takes in Mussenden Temple perched above the sea, garden ruins, parkland and wooded paths – a proper day-out rather than a quick loop. Dogs are welcome to explore the clifftop garden and arboretum and there's an on-site car park at Lion's Gate with pay-and-display for non-members.

The grounds are open daily from dawn to dusk, with facilities including Al's Coffee Hut running 10:00–16:00. National Trust members park free; others pay via JustPark or the machines.

Lead logistics are straightforward and the estate offers enough variety to keep everyone happy – sweep through the formal gardens, follow the woodland trails or pause at the clifftop viewpoints. Uneven terrain in places, so decent boots help when the ground's soft.