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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. 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 - 18:00

Last admission: 17:00

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
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

Food and drink at the Tower of London Good Food Festival 2017
Events Highlights

Hillsborough Castle and Gardens Food Festival

Join us for the first ever food festival in the grounds of Hillsborough Castle and Gardens this summer.

05-07 July 2019

Hillsborough Castle

Separate ticket

Buy tickets Learn more
Two actors dressed in historical costume throw up their hands in horror as part of a Horrible Histories performance. The Horrible Histories logo appears in the background as part of the set.
Events Families

Horrible Histories Live on Stage!

Prepare yourselves for this special one hour production of Gorgeous Georgians and Vile Victorians at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens.

10-14 August 2019

Hillsborough Castle

Performances are at 12:00 and 15:00. Duration 1 hour.

Included in all admission tickets (members go free)

Learn more
Image of Hillsborough Fort taken from pathway
Tours and talks

Hillsborough Walking Tour with Fort Warders

Discover the history of the delightful Georgian town of Hillsborough on foot.

25 May - 27 May 2019

Hillsborough Castle

Tours start at 11.00 and 14.00

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 and Gardens 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.

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.