Ante Room

Discover the heart of the castle, which provides access to some of the most important spaces

The Ante Room formed part of the original house, which was built in the mid-18th century. It was created from a much smaller hallway in 1936, following a devastating fire in 1934.

An elegant 'Wyatt' window (named for the 18th-century architect James Wyatt who popularised the shape) overlooks the courtyard to the east. The structure of the window is 18th century with later fittings and panelling.

Discover more highlights of the Ante Room at Hillsborough Castle below.

When

Open Wednesday - Sunday

Ticketing information

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

Buy Hillsborough Castle and Gardens tickets

Things to see

Highlights of the Ante Room

A small portrait in a gold frame against a black background. Inside the gold frame, there is a small painting of two boys looking at the view and holding each other. One boy is wearing a black hat. — *Image: Lord Arthur Hill and Arthur Hill, 3rd Marquess of Downshire. These miniatures were gifted to Historic Royal Palaces by the trustees of the Sandys Trust (Registered Charity Number 1168357)*

The Ombersley Miniatures (18 and 19th centuries)

The Ombersley Miniatures feature members of the Hill and Sandys families over different eras by various artists. The miniatures are named after Ombersley Court - the Sandys family estate.

Mary Hill, Marchioness of Downshire and Baroness Sandys, who lived at Hillsborough Castle with her husband 2nd Marquess of Downshire, collected many of the miniatures that now form the collection.

This miniature depicts their two eldest children by miniaturist Richard Cosway. Both boys were named Arthur, so the eldest brother was known by Downshire (his title) and the next in line went by Arthur or ‘Atty’.

The portrait was likely painted in 1795 when Downshire (left) was around 7 years old and Atty (right) was aged around 3. Downshire would later make Hillsborough Castle his main residence, while Atty served in the Battle of Waterloo, assisting his relative, the Duke of Wellington.

The First Marquess of Downshire (late 1700s)

Sculptor Joseph Nollekens became an associate of the Royal Academy in 1771 and sculpted public figures of his day from George III to William Pitt and Charles Fox.

The subject of this bust, Wills Hill, First Marquess of Downshire, is credited with developing much of the town of Hillsborough, most notably the castle, church and courthouse.

Town and Park of Hillsborough (1788)

William Byers' map depicts the Small Park and town of Hillsborough. The Small Park encompasses the gardens that surround the castle, encased by the walls from 1803.

The desire to attain a vision of natural beauty within the gardens led the Third Marquess of Downshire to attempt to reverse the process of urbanisation that Wills Hill had begun.

King George V (c1912)

George V signed the Act of Partition that created Northern Ireland, and was monarch when Hillsborough Castle and Gardens became residence of the Governor of Northern Ireland.

Queen Mary (c1912-1935)

Although she eventually became a devoted wife and queen to George V, Mary was first betrothed to his older brother Albert.

When Prince Albert died unexpectedly in 1892 she grew close to his younger brother, during a shared period of mourning. Mary accepted his marriage proposal in 1893, and they were married just two months later. Mary died in 1953, 10 weeks before the coronation of her granddaughter, Her Majesty The Queen.