Hillsborough Castle and Gardens
Explore the stunning gardens and the official Northern Ireland residence of HM The King
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We are the official shop of the British Tourist Authority, VisitBritain.
Highlights
- Explore 100 acres of exquisite gardens featuring meandering waterways, tranquil woodlands and stunning glens
- Step inside the grand Georgian Castle and discover the elegant State Rooms, steeped in history and still used by the royal family today
- Stroll through the Walled Garden dating back to the 18th century; recently restored and re-presented to create a beautiful working and productive garden
- Discover the magical interactive trails in the Imaginary Menagerie garden, perfect for whiling away the hours with the kids
- 25 October - 2 November: Ghostly spirits and otherworldly figures return for Halloween
- 29 November - 4 January: the magic of Christmas comes alive at Hillsborough Castle with a themed garden trail and decorations within the castle rooms
What's included
- Entry to the Castle (optional)
- Gardens admission
Prepare for the experience
Children information
- Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Accessibility information
- Some of the garden paths are unsuitable for wheelchair users and those with restricted mobility. Please consider that some of the paths have steps and steep slopes, which will become slippery when it rains.
- Step-free routes and ramps are available in both the Pineapple Yard and the Stable Yard. There is a step-free route between the Walled Garden and State Entrance that is clearly marked on-site. You can find a detailed map here.
- For more information, please download the Access Guide here or contact our customer service team.
Hillsborough Castle and Gardens opening times vary throughout the year. Live date and timeslot availability can be seen upon booking.
Opening times vary across the year as follows:
Winter Season (3 October - 4 April)
Castle
- 4 January to 26 February 2023: Wednesday – Sunday, 10:00am - 4:00pm (last entry to gardens 4:00pm)
- 18 to 19 March and 25 to 26 March: 2023: 11.00am - 2:00pm (last entry to gardens 1:00pm)
- 1st and 2nd April 2023: 11:00am - 2:00pm (last entry to gardens 1:00pm)
Gardens
23rd December: 10:00 - 3:30pm (last entry to gardens 2:30pm)
28 - 31 December 2022: Daily, 10:00am - 3:30 (last entry to gardens 2:30pm)
1st January 2023: 10:00 - 3:30pm (last entry to gardens 2:30pm)
4 January - 29 January 2023:
Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00 - 4:00pm (last entry to gardens 3:00pm)1 February to 26 February: Wednesday – Sunday, 10:00 - 4:00pm (last entry to gardens 3:00pm)
1 March to 2 April: Wednesday – Sunday, 10:00am - 5:00pm (last entry to gardens 4:00pm)
Summer (05 April - 31 October)
Castle
- 5 April to 1 October 2023:Wednesday – Sunday, 11:00am - 3:00pm
Gardens
- 5 April to 1 October: Wednesday – Sunday, 10:00am - 6:00pm (last entry to gardens 5:00pm)
- 4 October to 29 October: Wednesday – Sunday, 10:00am - 5:00pm (last entry to gardens 4:00pm)
- 30th and 31st October: 10:00am - 5:00pm (last entry to gardens 4:00pm)
How to get there
- Address: Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, The Square, Hillsborough, BT26 6AG
- Car park postcode: BT26 6HR. Please copy this postcode into your Sat Nav to direct you to the Car Park and Admissions.
- Hillsborough Castle Gardens are just a 30 minutes’ drive from Belfast.
- Closest train station: Lisburn station, 5 miles.
- The nearest bus stop is Hillsborough War Memorial.
Supplier information
This product is sold by VisitBritain and is provided by Golden Tours.
