Castle facilities

Family Facilities

Baby changing facilities

Baby changing facilities are available in both the male and female Garden toilets near the Stableyard. There are also baby changing facilities available at the State Entrance.

Buggies and pushchairs

Pushchairs are welcome in the Castle grounds. However, for conservation purposes, we’re currently unable to facilitate them inside the Castle State Rooms. Pushchairs may be left at the entrance to the castle at the owner’s risk.

Suitability

Extra care should be taken in the gardens, particularly where there are water features.

Balls, bicycles, scooters and rollerblades are not permitted within the gardens.
 

Filming and photography

Photography is permitted in all areas of the castle and grounds for personal, non-commercial use.

The photography of certain, individual items may not be allowed due to loan arrangements. Please ask a member of staff if you’re unsure.

Wedding photography
Wedding photography is exclusive to couples hiring Hillsborough Castle and Gardens for their wedding day. To find out more about hiring one of our venues for your event, visit our Hire a Venue page.

Commercial photography
Requests for commercial photography, filming and sketching should be made in advance by contacting our Press Team. 

Photographic equipment
Equipment such as tripods and selfie sticks may not be used inside the palace unless arrangements have been made in advance with our conservation team.

Historic Royal Palaces is a safeguarding aware organisation and takes it's responsibility to protect children and vulnerable people seriously . We may sometimes ask therefore that visitors refrain from filming or photographing other visitors.

First Aid

Please alert a uniformed member of staff if someone within your party requires First Aid during the visit.

Health and Safety

• Our palaces are very old and have many uneven surfaces, for example cobbles, worn steps, uneven steps and slopes. Please choose footwear that is comfortable and appropriate for the conditions.
• Some surfaces may be slippery, particularly if they are wet from rain.
• Light levels can be low in some places, so please allow sufficient time for your eyes to adjust, particularly when using stairs.
• In some of our gardens we have steep slopes and drops from height, so please be aware of these, especially if you have children with you.
• Where water features are present, please ensure children are supervised at all times.
• Look out for our safety signs and follow the advice given to avoid spoiling your day.
• There are many insects and in particular bees and wasps nests around the site which are undisturbed.
• Throughout the gardens there are open lakes and small bridges please approach with caution especially if you have children with you.
• There may be some traffic movements from our gardeners on the arterial service road. When crossing please do so with caution.
• During the months of July 2018 – April 2019 you may find areas of the gardens cordoned off. This is to allow for project work within the grounds, these will be clearly marked with fencing and signage

Prohibited Articles

In the interest of security, visitors are granted admission to the palace on the condition they may be searched before entering the premises. The following items are strictly banned:

• Weapons, including knives
• Fireworks and smoke bombs
• Pepper spray or any other articles intended to cause injury
• Any article which is illegal to possess under UK law