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Essential information for visiting Hillsborough Castle and Gardens

Getting here

Hillsborough Castle and Gardens,

Car park postcode: BT26 6HR. Please copy this postcode into your Sat Nav to direct you to the Car Park and Admissions.

For free on-site parking, please follow the brown tourist signs on the A1 south to our sign-posted car park entrance. Entrance is via the Weston Pavilion. If you are visiting the castle, 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.

There is a pedestrian entrance to the gardens from Hillsborough village.

Opening times

Gardens

01 November 2023 - 29 February 2024 (closed 24-26 December, open on 01 January 2024)
Wednesday – Sunday, 10:00 - 16:00 (last entry to gardens 15:00)

Castle

Closed 30 October 2023 - 09 March 2024
The Castle is currently closed for individual visits but welcomes group visits all year round.

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.

Castle and gardens ticket prices from (excluding donation):

Members: Free
Adult: £20.20
Child: £10.10

Visit essentials

We offer all the essential facilities to ensure your visit is safe and enjoyable.

Map
Toilets open - with disabled access and baby change facilities
Hand washing and hand sanitiser facilities
Only trained assistance dogs are permitted
A limited number of wheelchairs available to borrow on a first come, first served basis, sanitised between each use.

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 2023-24 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.

Things to see and do

A family (two adults and two children) enjoying The Nest for Everyone sculpture designed by Clive Lyttle. One of the children is standing at the top of the ladder into the nest. Part of the Imaginary Menagerie Robin Trail.

The Imaginary Menagerie is a play trail throughout the Castle's gardens. Opened in June 2021, it takes visitors on an adventure course that includes a series of sculptures celebrating the pets and wildlife animals that have made Hillsborough their home.

[See also: asset no.53796 for the Booklet guide].

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

Hillsborough Castle and Gardens map

Download Hillsborough Castle and Gardens map

Food and drink

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.

Food and drink