Downhill Hostel, 12 Mussenden Road, Downhill, Castlerock, Co. Londonderry, BT51 4RP

A two-storey, three-bay Victorian house, built in 1888, up a short lane off the east side of Mussenden Road, sitting under cliffs at the rear of a large strand; between the house and beach runs the railway. The original building has been extended to the rear in c.2006. Concrete tiled roof in two pitches (rear is an extension); rendered chimneys with moulded cornices to each gable and central to the rear ridge; timber brackets to eaves; round gutters and downpipes are metal. Walls are lined render to first floor, rusticated render to ground floor with a moulded string between; moulded cills; lugged door architrave. The window and door openings are generally segmental arches, the attic windows are round arched. The windows are replacement 1/1 timber sashes (double glazed). The double-leaf doors are 4 panelled with a single paned overlight. The main north elevation to the front section of building is symmetrical; the rear addition extends to the right. To the ground floor, either side of the central entrance door, are canted bays over which is a balcony extending between the two to form an open porchway. The balcony has a cast iron balustrade of circular decoration. To the first floor are five windows, paired to the sides. Side east elevation has a pair of windows to the attic; the first floor has a windows adjacent to each corner; the ground floor has a central window. The rear addition sits back to the south. Rear south elevation is largely abutted by the modern addition. The rear addition has a door to the N above which is a baclony accessed by French doors, with a balustrade matching that on the front bays. Side west elevation has a pair of windows to the attic; the first floor has a window to the north side and a door on to the modern balcony; the ground floor has a central pair of windows. The rear addition has a similar pattern of windows with the ground floor extended to the north to form the balcony and to the south housing a conservatory at first floor level. Setting: The building sits in a scenic location under the cliffs at the rear of Downhill Strand from which it is divided by the railway line. It is approached down a short lane off Mussenden Road and sits on the eastern edge of a group of buildings. Along the cliff edge to the east can be seen Mussenden temple. Schedule: Roof: Concrete tiles Walls: Render Windows Replacement timber sashes RWGs: Metal