Visit

Essential information for visiting Hillsborough Castle and Gardens

Visit essentials

Getting here

By car: Search for 'Hillsborough Castle and Gardens Shop' Postcode BT26 6TY. Our car park can be found off the A1 dual carriageway by following the brown tourist signs.
For castle visits, you should aim to arrive on site up to 45 minutes prior to your booked time slot to allow time to make your way to the castle State Entrance.

By bus or on foot: There is a pedestrian entrance to the gardens from Hillsborough village. Take Translink 238 or 38 between Belfast and Newry.

Opening times

Gardens Thursday 25 June: 10:00 - 18:00

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Monday 22nd Closed

Tuesday 23rd Closed

Wednesday 24th 10:00 - 18:00

Thursday 25th 10:00 - 18:00

Friday 26th 10:00 - 17:00

Saturday 27th 10:00 - 17:00

Sunday 28th 10:00 - 17:00

Last entry to gardens 1 hour before closing.

Castle Thursday 25 June: 11:00 - 16:00

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Monday 22nd Closed

Tuesday 23rd Closed

Wednesday 24th 11:00 - 16:00

Thursday 25th 11:00 - 16:00

Friday 26th 11:00 - 16:00

Saturday 27th 11:00 - 16:00

Sunday 28th 11:00 - 16:00

Café: Wednesday - Sunday 09:00 - 17:00.

Tickets and prices

Visit Hillsborough Castle and over 100 acres of ornamental lawns, peaceful woodlands and picturesque glens throughout the seasons.

Dogs are not permitted within the gardens and café unless they are trained assistance dogs.

Gardens only ticket prices (excluding donation) from:

Members: Free
Adult: £11.00
Child: £5.50

We offer all the essential facilities to ensure your visit is safe and enjoyable. Only trained assistance dogs are permitted in the castle and gardens

Map
Toilets/Accessible toilets/ Changing places toilet
A limited number of wheelchairs available to borrow on a first come, first served basis, sanitised between each use.
Baby change facilities
Breastfeeding is welcome throughout the Castle and Gardens and our team are always on hand should you need any further assistance
Free wi-fi (Castle only)

View all facilities

Disabled visitors are entitled to bring an accompanying adult/carer free of charge.

We support the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower scheme, a discreet way to indicate to people that you need additional support, help or a little more time. We have Sunflower lanyards available to borrow from the Visitors Centre next to the A1 car park.

View all access information

Explore the gardens and then enjoy delicious food and drink from our café.

Hillsborough Castle Café: Located in the Weston Pavilion, Pineapple Yard.

View our café

Shop for gifts and souvenirs inspired by this famous royal residence.

Our shops offer everything from souvenirs and gifts, to fine jewellery. You can also shop online and non-EU residents can buy tax-free.

View all shops

We offer reduced admission for groups of 15 people or more.

Enjoy a castle tour and all-day entry to 100 acres of world-famous historic gardens.

Group visits

Bookings are now open for the 2025-26 academic year.

Interactive and enquiry-based sessions are available for all key stages and SEND students.

School visits

What to see on your visit

For your visit to Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, we recommend at least three hours to discover the spectacular gardens and State rooms.

Hillsborough Castle and Gardens Itinerary Events

Map

Hillsborough Castle and Gardens map

Download Hillsborough Castle and Gardens map (PDF)

Hillsborough Castle and Gardens map. © Historic Royal Palaces.

1. Castle entrance

It is advisable that you arrive at Hillsborough Castle at least 30 minutes before your timeslot starts, to allow sufficient time to make your way from the car park and Lower Visitor Centre at the Weston Pavilion, through the gardens to the Castle State Entrance.

2. Granville Garden

See elegant roses in the Granville Garden.

3. Yew Tree Walk

Follow the picturesque path lined with Irish Yew trees.

4. Willow House

Hide out in the Willow House, part of the Imaginary Menagerie play trail.

5. Friends Burial Ground

6. Lost Garden

Explore hidden spots and exotic plants in the Lost Garden.

7. Lady Alice's Temple

Take in the view from a seat in Lady Alice's temple.

8. The Gardener's Summer House

Explore this fun corner of the grounds in The Gardener's Summer House, created especially for children with activity sheets and pull out displays.

9. The Glen

Sit and take a moment in this quiet, serene corner of the gardens in the Glen.

10. Moss Walk

Wander alongside Moss walk, a precious walkway lined with 150-year old lime trees. Please help to preserve this ecosystem by keeping to to the adjoining paths.

11. Walled Garden

See this beautiful restored working Walled Garden supplying seasonal produce to the cafe and with special Irish apple tree varieties in the orchard.

12. Coronation Meadow and bee hives

Meander through a wildflower meadow during spring and summer, buzzing with a variety of insects and home to the bees.

13. Hydro House

See the Hydro House, restored in 2017, with a hydro-generator installed to power the visitor centre with electric.

14. Pinetum

Stand amongst majestic Sequoia and Sequoiadendron, providing a calm space to relax.

15. The Ice House

16. The Lake

Enjoy this secluded part of the gardens with a stroll around the large, beautiful lake, host to birds and wildlife. A special place to walk and unwind and enjoy nature.

Stable Yard

Buggy park
Lockers
Toilets/ Accessible toilets
Baby change

Entrance from Hillsborough Town

Arriving by bus or on foot, there is a pedestrian entrance to the gardens from Hillsborough village.

Entrance/exit from the car park

The car park can be found off the A1 dual carriageway by following the brown tourist signs.

If visiting the castle, it is advisable that you arrive at Hillsborough Castle at least 30 to 45 minutes before your timeslot starts, to allow sufficient time to make your way from the Lower Visitor Centre, through the gardens to the Castle State Entrance. The castle is approximately 20 to 30 minute walk from the car park.

Weston Pavillion

The Hillsborough Castle cafe is located in the Weston Pavilion, along with toilets, baby change facilities, information point, admission ticket desk, and our shop.

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Pineapple Yard

Toilets / Accessible & Changing Places toilet
Baby change
Bicycle rack
First aid point

Parking

The car park can be found off the A1 dual carriageway by following the brown tourist signs.

Bus stop - Hillsborough War Memorial

Arriving by bus? Hillsborough War Memorial bus stop is a 3 minute walk from the entrance in The Square at the top of the Main Street, Hillsborough Village.

Food and drink

Visit our café

Enjoy delicious food and drink from our café using the best of local produce and seasonal fruit and veg from Hillsborough Castle's historic Walled Garden.

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The Imaginary Menagerie

Explore our animal-inspired play trail throughout the Castle's gardens, taking you on adventures celebrating the animals and wildlife that have made, and continue to make, Hillsborough their home.

The Imaginary Menagerie

Got a question?

Browse our frequently asked questions to help plan your visit.

How do I get to Hillsborough Castle and Gardens?

By car

Free on-site car parking is available. The car park post code is BT26 6TY, what3 words: ///culling.diagram.beards. Alternatively, follow the brown tourist signs on the A1 south to our sign-posted car park entrance.

Bus

The nearest bus stop is at Hillsborough War Memorial. It is a 3 minute walk from the village entrance in The Square at the top of the Main Street. Route 238 is an express service which connects central Belfast to Hillsborough village. Route 38 is a standard service which connects central Belfast, Banbridge and Newry to Hillsborough village via south Belfast and Lisburn. Both services start at Grand Central Station, the main bus station in Belfast.

Bus and train timetables can be found on the Translink website.

On foot

The pedestrian entrance to Hillsborough Castle and Gardens in Hillsborough village is in The Square at the top of the Main Street.

Train

Lisburn station is 5 miles from Hillsborough Castle and Gardens. Bus route 38 connects Lisburn rail station and Hillsborough village.

Getting here

Is there parking on site?

On-site car parking is available free of charge including 27 disabled parking space, free for Blue Badge holders. Please please follow the brown tourist signs on the A1 south to our sign-posted car park entrance. Visit the Getting Here page for more information.

How long should I allow for my visit?

You are able to spend as much time as you like for your visit, dependent on your entry time. We recommend at least three hours to discover the spectacular gardens and State rooms. Use our Hillsborough Castle and Gardens suggested itinerary to help you make the most of your day.

What are the opening times?

See our opening times page for the latest opening times and details of any closures.

Are there accessible toilets?

Toilets are available in the following locations:

Pineapple Yard
Gardens
Weston Pavilion (Lower Visitor Centre)

All toilets have disabled access and baby changing facilities.

Are the gardens accessible for wheelchair users?

Due to the natural terrain of the gardens, some paths are unsuitable for wheelchair users and those with restricted mobility. For further information on accessibility at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, see our Accessibility page.

We offer some wheelchairs to use on a first come, first served basis which are sanitised between each use.

Where can I leave my bag when visiting the castle?

Rucksacks, large bags (anything bigger than approx. A3) and buggies will not be allowed in the Castle. Free lockers will be available for bag and buggy storage.

Small handbags are permitted inside the castle on the condition they may be searched upon entry, using non touch when entering the State Entrance.

Are dogs allowed on-site?

Dogs are not permitted on-site or in palace gardens unless they are trained assistance dogs or medical alert dogs. We are happy to provide water on request. No other dogs are permitted within the site.

Due to conservation concern and the nature of items on display, unfortunately, we do not allow emotional support animals to enter the palace.

Explore what's on

Families
Events

Kids Go Free

Treat the kids this summer holidays with a free visit to the 100 acre gardens, and enjoy Beano Hijinks.

Dates:
27 June - 31 August 2026
Times: In line with gardens opening hours
Location: Hillsborough Castle
Ticket type: Included in gardens admission (Members go free)

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Families
Events

Beano Hijinks at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens

Join 100 acres of total time travel trouble this summer holidays. Kids go free!

Dates:
27 June - 31 August 2026
Times: In line with gardens opening hours
Location: Hillsborough Castle
Ticket type: Included in all admission tickets (Members go free, no pre-booking required)