Family Garden Activities

Name: Family Garden Activities
Start: 2023-07-24
End: 2033-07-24
Location: Hillsborough Castle

Adventure, imagination and play

Skip the event ticket details and go to event summary.

When

In line with gardens opening hours

Where

In the gardens

Ticketing information

Suitable for families and visitors of all ages and abilities.

Under 5s and members go free.

Included in all admission tickets (Members go free)

Buy Hillsborough Gardens tickets

Family fun awaits

Let imaginations run wild across Hillsborough Castle’s 100-acre gardens on our interactive play trail.

From playing shop to building walls and spotting wildlife, there are plenty of opportunities to play, create and explore - making a visit the perfect family day out, suitable for kids of all ages.

Meet the wildlife of Hillsborough

Discover the wildlife that calls Hillsborough home. Step inside our Summer House to explore fascinating eggs, nests, butterflies and birds. Then head outdoors to see what you can spot around the gardens, from birds around the lake to creatures hidden amongst the trees.

Sensory walk

Experience a garden adventure designed to engage curious minds and little hands. Follow the Sensory Walk through willow tunnels, musical features, aromatic planting and balance beams. Stop at the Shepherd's Hut to build miniature dry stone walls, and step into Hillsborough Stores and imagine running your own shop.

Book your adventure today with a Gardens only ticket.

Explore the gardens your way

Ready to explore further? Choose from two contrasting routes through the gardens (the Kingfisher's Lakeside adventure and the Robin's Ramble), each offering a different way to experience Hillsborough Castle’s gardens.

The Kingfisher's Lakeside adventure

The trail takes you around the Lake and takes about 30 minutes to walk plus extra time to play.

Follow the Kingfisher signs to discover the bird hide, and create marvellous music with wooden chimes in the Sound Forest.

Explore the woodland swings inside the Pinetum, and plan an imaginary journey aboard our Barouche Box carriage. Finally, see if you can find the Hillsborough hounds and spot the shoal of fish sculpture.

The Robin's Ramble

The trail takes about 40 minutes to walk plus extra time to play.

Wander through the beautiful gardens on the Robin's Ramble trail and explore the shell house, the Garden's Summer House, the Giant Nest, Bird Cage sculpture, Willow House and have fun experimenting with sound tubes.

Download Imaginary Menagerie trail map booklet

Imaginary Menagerie trail map booklet

Explore what's on

Families
Events

Beano Hijinks at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens

Join 100 acres of total time travel trouble this summer holidays. Kids go free!

Dates:
Until 31 August 2026
Times: In line with gardens opening hours
Location: Hillsborough Castle
Ticket type: Included in all admission tickets (Members go free, no pre-booking required)