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Things to see and do

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

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

Explore Hillsborough

Located just 20 minutes from Belfast, the restored and re-imagined Hillsborough Castle and Gardens has something for everyone.

Explore the Castle and 100 acres of beautiful gardens, including the Imaginary Menagerie interactive play trail, Walled Garden, the previously unseen Lost Garden, meandering waterways and picturesque glens.

You’ll find parking easy in our free car park. You can also enjoy delicious delicious takeaway food and drink from our award-winning café.

See our opening times.

  • Things to see
  • Families

The Imaginary Menagerie

Enjoy a day out discovering our new interactive play trail - the Imaginary Menagerie.

  • In line with gardens opening hours
  • Hillsborough Castle
  • Included in all admission tickets (members go free)
Learn more
  • Things to see

The Gardens

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

  • Wednesday - Sunday
  • 10:00-16:00 (last entry 15:00)
  • Hillsborough Castle
  • Included in all admission tickets (members go free)
Learn more
  • Things to see
  • Tours and talks

The Castle

Discover elegant State Rooms still used by the royal family inside Hillsborough Castle.

  • Group bookings only
  • Hillsborough Castle
  • Included in combined castle tour and gardens tickets (members go free)
Learn more
  • Things to see

Walled Garden

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

  • In line with gardens opening hours
  • Hillsborough Castle
  • Included in all admission tickets (members go free)
Learn more
  • Things to see

Lady Alice's Temple

Take a seat in this 19th-century temple and enjoy stunning views of the surrounding gardens.

  • In line with gardens opening hours
  • Hillsborough Castle
  • Included in all admission tickets (members go free)
Learn more
  • Things to see

The Glen

Explore this intimate corner of Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, which is full of colour and intriguing details.

  • In line with gardens opening hours
  • Hillsborough Castle
  • Included in all admission tickets (members go free)
Learn more
  • Things to see

Granville Garden

Take a moment in this elegant rose garden created by Lady Granville, aunt to Queen Elizabeth II.

  • In line with castle opening hours
  • Hillsborough Castle
  • Included in all admission tickets (members go free)
Learn more
  • Things to see

The Lake

Explore an expanse of picturesque waterways and magnificent giant sequoia trees in this secluded section of the castle grounds

  • In line with gardens opening hours
  • Hillsborough Castle
  • Included in all admission tickets (members go free)
Learn more
  • Things to see

Jubilee Parterre

Discover a charming formal garden and find out why the castle's 19th-century summer house is so unusual.

  • In line with gardens opening hours
  • Hillsborough Castle
  • Included in all admission tickets (members go free)
Learn more

Christmas at Hillsborough Castle

  • Things to see
  • Events
  • Families
  • Christmas

Walking With The Snowman

Explore a magical festive trail as Raymond Briggs' classic comes to Hillsborough Castle.

  • 18 November 2023 - 07 January 2024
  • In line with gardens opening hours
  • Hillsborough Castle
  • Included in gardens admission (members go free)
Learn more
  • Families
  • Christmas

Christmas Family Activities

Celebrate Christmas with a range of festive family-friendly activities and workshops.

  • 11 November - 16 December 2023
  • 10:30 - 15:30
  • Hillsborough Castle
  • Included in gardens admission (members go free)
Learn more
  • Events
  • Christmas

Christmas wreath making workshop

Create a seasonal Christmas wreath using foliage from the castle grounds.

  • 08, 09 and 13 December 2023
  • 10:00 and 13:30
  • Hillsborough Castle
  • Separate ticket (advance booking required)
Learn more
  • Families
  • Christmas
  • Events
  • Things to see

Brunch with Santa

Indulge in a magical brunch with Santa at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens!

  • 09, 16, and 23 December
  • 10:00-13:00
  • Hillsborough Castle
  • Free
Learn more

Our supporters

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

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.