architecture
Mussenden Temple
A small circular library stands beneath a dark dome at the edge of the Downhill cliffs.
The story behind the place
Completed in 1785, Mussenden Temple was built as a library for the Downhill estate. Its name suggests an ancient temple, but the tall windows and enclosed circular room served a very different purpose. Pilasters divide the stone drum, while a shallow dome and small finial complete the silhouette. Look at how this compact classical building contrasts with its exposed coastal setting. The National Trust now cares for the temple and the surrounding demesne, preserving both the architecture and the landscape around it.
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Read more from the sources
- Mussenden Temple and Downhill DemesneNational Trust
- Mussenden Temple heritage recordNational Trust Heritage Records
