Hillsborough Castle Gardens

Hillsborough Castle's glorious gardens, which were designed in the 18^th Century, are bursting with colour and are a joy to explore.  Discover ornamental grounds, peaceful woodland, meandering waterways and picturesque glens at Northern Ireland's royal residence.  

The Walled Garden

The Walled Garden dates back from the 18^th Century and is a large four-acre site historically used to product fruits, vegetables and flowers for the castle. Today, this charming space offers a grand entrance to the castle.

Lady Alice’s Temple

Lady Alice’s Temple is a haven of tranquillity. Former resident Secretary of State Mo Mowlem once found welcome respite from the pressures of politics in here. The temple was a wedding gift to Lady Alice Hill offered by her brother, the 5th Marquess of Downshire in 1867.

Granville Garden

The Granville Garden is named after its creator, Lady Rose Bowes-Lyon, who was aunt to Her Majesty The Queen and wife of the Earl of Granville, the second Governor of Northern Ireland. The stunning garden full of fragrant roses was created in the 1940s and 1950s. As young princesses, HM the Queen and HRH Princess Margaret would visit their aunt and uncle here at Hillsborough Castle.

Moss Walk

Take a wander alongside the beautiful Moss Walk, framed under a canopy of lime trees. This stunning area of the gardens has recently had new paths incorporated to follow the original historic layout from the 1770s and is a beautiful photo spot throughout the seasons.

Other highlights include

• The South Terrace
• Yew Tree Walk, leading to Lady Alice’s Temple
• The Glen, the Pinetum and the statue of Ossian
• The Grotto
• The Lake
• The Hydro House and Ice House

What is included in your ticket

• Entrance to the gardens

What is not included:

• Entrance to the castle
• Food and drinks

When you book, you will be emailed an eTicket. You can print it out or show directly from your device, and bring it with you when you visit the Hillsborough Castle Gardens. Please note that your ticket includes access to the gardens only.

Opening Times

• 01 April to 27 September: 10am until 5pm (last entry at 4pm)
• 28 September to 31 March: 10am until 4pm (last entry at 3pm)

Please note: As a working Royal residence Hillsborough Castle and Gardens are subject to short notice closure. Please check the planned closure on the Historic Royal Palaces website prior to visit.

Closure Dates

• 24, 25 & 26 December
• 1 January

How to get there

Hillsborough Castle and Gardens is just a 30 minutes’ drive from Belfast.

Address: Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, The Square, Hillsborough, BT26 6AG

On-site parking: For free on-site parking, please follow the brown tourist signs on the A1 south to the sign-posted car park entrance. 27 parking spaces are available on site for Blue Badge holders.

Train:

• Lisburn station - 5 miles from Hillsborough Castle and Gardens. Bus route 38 connects Lisburn bus station and Hillsborough castle.
• Moira station - 8 to 11 miles from Hillsborough Castle and Gardens. For connecting bus routes, travel via Lisburn bus station.

Bus: The nearest bus stop is Hillsborough War Memorial. Route 238 (to Newry) connects central Belfast to Hillsborough village. Services run every 20 minutes from Belfast Europa bus centre.

Additional information

• Most visitors spend an average of 3 hours on site.
• Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
• As you enter the site you will pass through security where bag searches are in operation.
• Rucksacks, large bags and buggies are not allowed inside the castle but can be deposited in the lockers in the Stable Yard. Upon entry to the castle you can also store bags in a secure bag drop facility. Small handbags are permitted inside the castle on the condition they may be searched before entering.
• Dogs are not permitted in Hillsborough Castle and Gardens unless they are registered assistance dogs.
• The use of balls, frisbees, scooters, bicycles and rollerblades are not allowed in the gardens.
• Pushchairs are welcome in the gardens.
• Please be aware that the gardens include uneven grounds and water features. Children should be supervised at all times.
• Customers are welcome to bring picnics and there are two cafes on site.

Cancellation Policy

• eTickets are non-cancellable, non-refundable and non-exchangeable.

Accessibility

• All registered assistance dogs, even those in training, are welcome and can accompany their owners on castle tours. Please bring the dog’s ‘Assistance Dog’s (UK)’ identification book (or appropriate international equivalent) and ensure that dogs wear their designated jacket or lead slip.
• Due to the natural terrain of the gardens, some of the paths are unsuitable for wheelchair users and those with restricted mobility. Some of the paths have steps and steep slopes, which will become slippery in wet weather.
• 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.