Garden Walks and Tours

Planting productive vegetable gardens walk

Explore the Walled Garden with our expert gardeners as they introduce you to the range of fruit and vegetables being grown this year and explain the techniques they are using. Examine the early crops and enjoy the fruit blossom.

Date: Wednesday 18 May 2022
Time: 10.30 (1 hours 30 minutes)
Location: Meet in the Weston Pavilion at the Lower Visitor Centre

Tending the Walled Garden Walk

Join the Walled Garden team as they demonstrate gardening techniques used to keep the garden looking its best, including weeding, mulching, pruning, staking, dead heading, thinning fruit and much more.

Date: Wednesday 15 June 2022 
Time: 10.30 (1 hour 30 minutes)

Both tours take place in the walled garden and the surfaces are even.

Summer highlights walk

Explore the gardens at Hillsborough Castle with Gardener Nicky Armstrong, as she guides you through the herbaceous borders and up Yew Tree Walk to see the 'Superbloom' of meadow flowers. From there, you will go to the formal gardens around the Castle before making your way back via the Glen.

Date: Wednesday 20 July 2022
Time: 10.30 (1 hour 30 minutes)

Late summer highlights walk

Come and explore the gardens at Hillsborough Castle with Gardener Nicky Armstrong, as she guides you through the Walled Garden to see the apples and pears, then wander in the Lost Garden with its lush planting before making your way to the formal gardens at the Castle. The route back will take you through the ‘Superbloom’, now in its second wave of colour, before making your way back via the Glen.

Date: Wednesday 17 August 2022
Time: 10.30 (1 hour 30 minutes)

For summer walks, we recommend sturdy footwear as paths can be rough and the route will involve steep steps.

Garden Produce

Join The Keeper of the Walled Garden and his expert team and discover the benefits of growing in an enclosed space and about the range of fruit and vegetables being grown. Get hands on experience with harvesting and taste the crops.

The tour takes places in the walled garden and the surfaces are even.

Date: 14 September  
Time: 10.30
Location: Meet in the Lower Visitor Centre

Autumn Colours

Come and explore the autumn colours in the gardens at Hillsborough Castle with Garden Manager, Claire Woods. At this turn in the year when the trees take on their autumn tones, take a meandering stroll through the Lost Garden and around the lake.

We recommend sturdy footwear as paths can be rough and the route will involve steep steps.

Date: 19 October 
Time: 10.30
Location: Meet in the Lower Visitor Centre

Preparing for winter

Join The Keeper of the Walled Garden and his team, as they demonstrate putting the garden to bed for the winter. Learn about the range of tasks that keep the gardens busy at this time of the year and explore the crops still in full production.

The tour takes places in the walled garden and the surfaces are even.

Date: 23 November 
Time: 10.30
Location: Meet in the Lower Visitor Centre

Wonderful winter evergreens

Come and explore the winter gardens at Hillsborough Castle with Garden Manager, Claire Woods. At this time of the year, the evergreens form the backbone and structure of the garden. Keep warm with a brisk walk around the whole garden, exploring the majestic Rhododendrons and stately conifers.

We recommend sturdy footwear as paths can be rough and the route will involve steep steps.

Date: 21 December
Time: 10.30
Location: Meet in the Lower Visitor Centre