Downhill Demesne

Downhill Mansion House was built in the 18th century for Frederick Hervey the Bishop of Derry. Destroyed by fire it was rebuilt in 1851 only to fall into decay and disrepair after the Second World War. The property and the surrounding grounds are now part of the National Trust.

The Mussenden Temple  formed part of the huge estate that cost an enormous £80,000 to build, a fortune in those days. The entrance to the estate was via the Lion's Gate which still stands. During the Second World War the house was used by the RAF. 

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Dunluce Castle

Dunluce castle is situated between Portballintrae and Portrush. It is an amazing piece of architecture especially when you examine how the walls were constructed on steep cliff faces. 

Alongside the castle there existed the Lost town of Dunluce. Recent excavations have uncovered artifacts from the medieval period. Although the castle is very much a ruin it is easy to comprehend how it might have looked in its original state. 

Dunluce Castle is reputed to have been the inspiration for the C.S. Lewis Chronicles of Narnia.

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Giant's Causeway

The Giant's Causeway is according to legend built by a giant. In reality it consists of around 40,000 interlocking basalt columns which were caused by an ancient volcanic eruption.This is a World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO in 1986. It is also a nature reserve along some of the most beautiful coastline in Europe.

The Giant's Causeway has bee named as the fourth greatest natural wonder in Britain. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Northern Ireland and is operated by the National Trust. Entrance is via a new state of the art building which was specially designed to blend with the landscape and which has a low carbon footprint.

 

The intense volcanic activity around 50 million years ago pushed molten basalt through chalk which resulted in the cooling and contraction leaving the pillar like stone behind. As the molten mass cooled it cracked in a similar way mud cracks under the sun and what you see today is the result of this rapid cooling of the stone.

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Londonderry

Derry or officially Londonderry, the walled city, is the second largest city in Northern Ireland. The River Foyle separates both sides of the city with the old walled city being on the West Bank.

Londonderry is always referred to as Derry by nationalists. Known as the Maiden City by virtue of the fact that its walls were never breached. There is a vibrant business community and two busy shopping mall. The city has a host of independent traders and a thriving craft industry. 

The nearby Derry Airport at Eglinton has brought a much needed boost to local tourism for the region. 

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Coleshill

Coleshill is a market town in the North Warwickshire district of Warwickshire, England. It has a population of 6,343 (2001 census). Coleshill is next to the border with the West Midlands just outside Birmingham. Coleshill narrowly avoided being absorbed into Birmingham.

Coleshill dates back to Saxon times, but became important as a staging post on the coaching road from London to Holyhead. At one point there were over over twenty inns in the town.

One of the most notable buildings in the town is the Chuch of St Peter and St Paul which has a 52 metre (170ft) high steeple, and which dates from the 13th century. The font of the church dates from the 12th century.
The town is close to the M6 and M42 motorways.

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