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Hillsborough Castle and Gardens

Discover Northern Ireland's royal residence

Discover Northern Ireland's royal residence

Spend a day exploring exploring 100 acres of stunning gardens where live performance brings history to life this Easter. Book a tour of the Georgian house built by Wills Hill, which is still in use as a Royal residence in Northern Ireland.

Getting here

Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, The Square, Hillsborough. BT26 6AG

For free on-site parking, please use the postcode BT26 6GT.

Tickets and prices

Explore 100 acres of stunning gardens.

Entry to Hillsborough Castle is by guided castle tour only.

Combined castle tour and gardens ticket prices (no donation):

  • Members: Free
  • Adult (18+ years old): £11.40
  • Child (5-15 years old): £5.70

Opening times

Monday - Sunday: 09:30 - 18:00

Last admission: 17:00

Find out more about visiting
Hillsborough Castle on a bright morning at sunrise. The gardens show in the background as the sun rises over the trees on a bright, partially cloudy blue sky

Enjoy a majestic day out

Now open daily

Explore Northern Ireland's royal residence with a visit to the transformed Hillsborough Castle and Gardens.

Explore what's on

A family consisting of a mum, dad, teenage daughter, young boy and girl relax on the South Lawn with the South Facade of the castle in the background. A young couple are also strolling through the gardens behind them. The family appear to be happily chatting away in the summer sun and the sky is blue with only a hint of clouds. The heavy sunshine casts dark shadows on the grass nearby as the rays hit a nearby mature tree.
Highlights Families

Spring family activities

Join in the family activities at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens this Easter and over May Day Bank Holiday.

18 April - 06 May 2019

Hillsborough Castle

Various dates over Easter and May Day Bank Holiday

Included in gardens admission (members go free)

Learn more
Tours and talks Events

The Ravenmaster

Yeoman Warder Christopher Skaife shares the folklore and history surrounding The Tower of London's ravens.

26 April 2019

Hillsborough Castle

18:30-19:30

Separate ticket (advanced booking required)

Buy tickets Learn more
Promotional photograph of a painting by Shona Shirley MacDonald, used to promote the work of Myra Zepf.
Tours and talks Events

Brunchtime lecture: Upcycling Irish Mythology

Explore the rich tradition of Irish mythology with author Myra Zepf.

28 April 2019

Hillsborough Castle

11:00-12:00

Separate ticket (advanced booking required)

Buy tickets Learn more
Young male and female couple stroll up a tree-lined path from a historic temple building in the background. A lake and lush green trees line the background of the image.

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Sign up for our Hillsborough Castle e-newsletter for the latest news, events, offers and competitions.

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An exterior photo of the South facade of Hillsborough Castle on a sunny September day. Framed by greenery.

Members go free

Escape to the past whenever you want when you join us today.

Enjoy unlimited adventures at our palaces, a 10% discount in our shops and cafés, and exclusive events when you become a member of Historic Royal Palaces.

The South Terrace, looking north from the lawn. Tree foliage in the foreground overhangs the top left of this image.

Hillsborough Castle project

Discover more about how we are working at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens to conserve and re-present the heritage; explore its stories and engage communities and learners. 

Support us

We are a charity and there are several ways you can support us.

The new blue and black Heritage Lottery Fund logo for 2019, displayed on a white background

Our supporters

The restoration and re-presentation of Hillsborough Castle and Gardens was made possible by the National Lottery Heritage Fund,
Mark Pigott KBE KSTJ, Garfield Weston Foundation, the Clore Duffield Foundation, the Foyle Foundation, the Wolfson Foundation and other generous donors.

A group of visitors enjoying a viewing of the Red Room, one of Hillsborough Castle's State Rooms. Two young girls appear in the foreground along with a young couple. A small group of older ladies and gentlemen can be seen in the background having just entered the room. The walls are lined with a deep red silk damask and a variety of oil paintings in gold frames of various sizes fill the walls. A chandelier hangs above a small round wooden table in the centre of the room. The walls are lined with grey and gold detailing.

Volunteer with us

Volunteers support the palaces in many different ways. See what roles we have available and register your interest.

Hillsborough Castle Gardens, looking east across the pond towards Yew Tree Walk.

Make a donation

Help us to conserve these historic buildings, ensuring they are here for future generations to enjoy. We raise all our own funds and depend on your support.