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Hillsborough Castle and Gardens

Discover Northern Ireland's royal residence

Discover Northern Ireland's royal residence

Spend a day exploring 100 acres of stunning gardens. Book a tour of the Georgian house built by Wills Hill, which is still in use as a Royal residence in Northern Ireland.

Opening times

Monday - Sunday: 09:30 - 16:00

Last admission: 15:00

Please check for information on closures and notices.

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

Getting here

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

For free on-site parking, please follow the brown tourist signs on the A1 south to our sign-posted car park entrance.

Find out more about visiting

A great family day out

Keep the family entertained with a day out at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens. Book online to save (members go free).

Things to see and do

The South Terrace, looking south-east across the terrace flagstones towards the small topiary trees and summer shrubs. The Greek Temple is just seen through the castle portico in the background on the left of the image.
Things to see

The Gardens

Discover the ornamental lawns, meandering waterways, peaceful woodlands and picturesque glens that surround Hillsborough Castle.

Open daily

Hillsborough Castle

09:30-16:00 (last admission is 15:00)

Included in all admission tickets (members go free)

Learn more
A guide shows a group of visitors the Throne Room in the State Rooms at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens. Two red and gold thrones sit at one end of the room and the walls are lined with green silk damask and the walls are lined with historical artwork.
Tours and talks Things to see

Castle tours

Discover elegant State Rooms still used by the royal family on a guided tour of Hillsborough Castle.

Open daily

Hillsborough Castle

Included in combined castle tour and gardens tickets (members go free)

Learn more
The Walled Garden at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, showing the pergola in the distance surrounded by planting and bedding. An archway surrounds the frame of the image and there is a blue cloudy sky
Things to see

Walled Garden

Enter the castle grounds through this 18th-century walled garden, which has been expertly restored using traditional methods.

Open daily

Hillsborough Castle

Included in all admission tickets (members go free)

Learn more
More things to see and do

Explore what's on

A mother and two children the Glen at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens
Families

Autumn family activities

Discover our Wonder Weekends together this Halloween! Enjoy some spooky storytelling and get hands-on with fascinating objects and craft activities.

30 November

Hillsborough Castle

Drop in throughout the day

Included in all admission tickets (members go free)

Learn more
Two visitors with their backs to the camera look at a painting of two saints embracing.
Tours and talks

LGBTQ+ tour of Hillsborough Castle

Join us as we uncover the hidden histories of Hillsborough Castle from a different perspective.

30 November 2019, 25 January 2020, 29 February 2020

Hillsborough Castle

11.45

Included in combined castle tour and gardens tickets (members go free)

Learn more
State Entrance of Hillsborough Castle showing fireplace with surrounding seating and furniture. Looking towards doors leading into Candlestick Hall.
Tours and talks Events

Hillsborough Castle art tour

Join an expert guide on a tour of Hillsborough Castle's art treasures including unique works from the Royal Collection and other major lenders.

Last Sunday of every month

Hillsborough Castle

11:45

Included in combined castle tour and gardens tickets (members go free)

Learn more
See what's on
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.

Be the first to hear more

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

Sign up now
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.

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.