A tall, honey-stone Italianate mansion above Bushmills, the Macnaghten family seat for generations — and today a private country-sports and events estate on the Causeway Coast. You don't wander in, but you can book your way in: a clay-pigeon morning, a driven game day, a beat on the River Bush.
It's a private estate, not a walk-in day out. There are no public opening hours and the house isn't open for casual tours — you visit by booking an activity or attending an event, not by turning up at the gate.
Everything is by enquiry. There's no online self-booking — you ring or email the estate to arrange your day, so contact them ahead for availability and prices before you plan around it.
What you can book — clay pigeon shooting for all levels, driven and walked-up game (pheasant and partridge) shooting days with beaters and dogs laid on, and private salmon fishing on the River Bush that runs through the estate.
Events & hospitality — the Victorian reception rooms and grounds host private and corporate events, team-building days and fine dining by arrangement. For weddings or exclusive-use stays, ask the estate directly.
Where it is — just above Bushmills village on the North Antrim coast, about two miles from the Giant's Causeway and next door to the Bushmills Distillery — an easy add-on to a Causeway Coast trip.
Who it's for — shooting parties, anglers, corporate groups and anyone marking an occasion in a grand setting. It's an experience-and-events estate rather than a family attraction with a car park and café.
The house itself — a handsome 1840s mansion by Sir Charles Lanyon, said to be modelled on the Reform Club in London. You'll admire it as the backdrop to your day rather than on a public house tour.
Plan your visit
A private estate you book into, not walk into
Dundarave is a working private estate — it isn't a ticketed attraction with set opening hours, and the house isn't open for casual public tours. The way to spend a day here is to book one of the estate's country-sports experiences or events: clay pigeon shooting, a driven or walked-up game shooting day, salmon fishing on the River Bush, or a private or corporate event in the house and grounds. Everything is arranged directly with the estate — there's no online booking — so contact them ahead to check availability, what's included and current prices. If you're marking an occasion or planning a wedding or exclusive-use booking, ask them what's possible.
Clay pigeon shootingDriven & walked-up game daysSalmon fishing on the BushPrivate & corporate events
Good to know:
This is a private residence and working estate — please don't turn up expecting a walk-in visit. All activities and events are by prior arrangement, so ring or email first to book and to confirm what's available.
Before you set off
What to wear and bring
📞Your bookingNothing here is walk-in — have your date and details confirmed with the estate before you set off.
🧥Country clothes & bootsFor shooting or fishing you're out on the estate — dress for the weather with proper footwear.
🎯Ear & eye protectionFor clay or game shooting — the estate can usually advise or provide, but check when you book.
🚗Your sat-nav set to BT57 8STIt's just above Bushmills village — follow the estate's directions once your day is arranged.
Good to know
Everything before you go
Access
A private working estate — not a walk-in attraction. No public opening hours and no casual house tours. You visit by booking an activity or attending an event.
Booking
Everything is by enquiry — there's no online self-booking. Contact the estate directly to arrange a day and to confirm availability and current prices.
Clay shooting
Clay pigeon shooting for all skill levels, arranged with the estate. Ideal for groups, stag/hen and corporate days. Enquire for prices and what's included.
Game shooting
Driven and walked-up pheasant and partridge days, with beaters, dogs and transport laid on by the estate. Typically a full day with lunch; arranged through the estate manager.
Fishing
Private salmon fishing on the River Bush, which runs through the estate. By arrangement with the estate.
Events
Private and corporate events, hospitality, team-building and fine dining in the Victorian house and grounds. For weddings or exclusive-use bookings, ask the estate what's possible.
The house
A Grade B+ listed Italianate mansion of the 1840s by Sir Charles Lanyon — admired as the backdrop to your day rather than on a public tour.
Farm shop
The estate also runs a farm shop with its own produce — jams, chutneys, meat and apple juice. Check the estate's farm-shop site for details.
Getting there
Dundarave Estate, 20 Dundarave Road, Bushmills, Co. Antrim, BT57 8ST — just above Bushmills village on the North Antrim coast.
How long
Country-sports days generally run a half or full day. Follow the timings the estate gives you when you book.
Questions
Before you go
Can I just visit Dundarave House?
Not as a casual walk-in — it's a private working estate with no public opening hours, and the house isn't open for general tours. You spend time here by booking one of the estate's activities or attending an event.
What can I actually book there?
Clay pigeon shooting, driven and walked-up game (pheasant and partridge) shooting days, private salmon fishing on the River Bush, and private or corporate events and hospitality in the house and grounds.
How do I book?
Everything is arranged directly with the estate — there's no online self-booking. Ring or email them to check availability and prices, and to confirm what's included, before you plan your day around it.
Does it do weddings or overnight stays?
The estate hosts private and corporate events in its Victorian setting. For weddings or exclusive-use overnight bookings, it's best to contact them directly and ask what they can offer.
Where is it?
Just above Bushmills village on the North Antrim coast — about two miles from the Giant's Causeway and right beside the Bushmills Distillery. The postcode is BT57 8ST.
Is it good for a group day out?
Yes — clay shooting and shooting days suit groups, stag and hen parties and corporate outings, and the estate handles events and hospitality. It's an experiences-and-occasions estate rather than a drop-in family attraction.
Getting there
Dundarave Estate, 20 Dundarave Road, Bushmills, Co. Antrim, BT57 8ST — on high ground above Bushmills village, near the Giant's Causeway and the Bushmills Distillery. Follow the directions the estate gives you when your day is arranged.
Dundarave was built in the 1840s for Sir Edmund Macnaghten, to designs by the great Belfast architect Sir Charles Lanyon. He gave it an Italianate face in honey-coloured sandstone — a style said to be modelled on Charles Barry's Reform Club in London — with a columned portico, a curved central bay and a little bell tower rising over the yard. It replaced an earlier castellated house on the same high ground above Bushmills, and it became the seat of the Macnaghten family, the chiefly family of Clan Macnaghten, who had held land in this corner of Antrim since the late sixteenth century.
The family lived here for generations, until the estate was sold in 2014. It's a Grade B+ listed building, its grounds a designated historic demesne with the River Bush winding through. Today it earns its keep as a private country-sports and events estate — the shooting field, the fishing beats and the grand rooms put to work — rather than a house museum. So while you won't stroll its halls on a public tour, you can still stand on its lawns, book a day's sport, and take in one of the handsomest houses on the Causeway Coast.