Visit

Essential information for visiting Hillsborough Castle and Gardens

Visit essentials

Getting here

By car: Search for 'Hillsborough Castle and Gardens Shop' Postcode BT26 6TY. Our car park can be found off the A1 dual carriageway by following the brown tourist signs.
For castle visits, you should aim to arrive on site up to 45 minutes prior to your booked time slot to allow time to make your way to the castle State Entrance.

By bus or on foot: There is a pedestrian entrance to the gardens from Hillsborough village. Take Translink 238 or 38 between Belfast and Newry.

Opening times

Gardens Sunday 25 January: 10:00 - 16:00

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Monday Closed

Tuesday Closed

Wednesday 10:00 - 16:00

Thursday 10:00 - 16:00

Friday 10:00 - 16:00

Saturday 10:00 - 16:00

Sunday 10:00 - 16:00

Castle Sunday 25 January: Closed

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Monday Closed

Tuesday Closed

Wednesday Closed

Thursday Closed

Friday Closed

Saturday Closed

Sunday Closed

Café: Wednesday - Sunday 09:00 - 16:00.

Tickets and prices

Visit Hillsborough Castle and over 100 acres of ornamental lawns, peaceful woodlands and picturesque glens throughout the seasons.

Dogs are not permitted within the gardens and café unless they are trained assistance dogs.

Gardens only ticket prices from (excluding donation):

Members: Free
Adult: £10.30
Child: £5.20

We offer all the essential facilities to ensure your visit is safe and enjoyable. Only trained assistance dogs are permitted in the castle and gardens

Map
Toilets/Accessible toilets/ Changing places toilet
A limited number of wheelchairs available to borrow on a first come, first served basis, sanitised between each use.
Baby change facilities
Breastfeeding is welcome throughout the Castle and Gardens and our team are always on hand should you need any further assistance
Free wi-fi (Castle only)

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Disabled visitors are entitled to bring an accompanying adult/carer free of charge.

We support the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower scheme, a discreet way to indicate to people that you need additional support, help or a little more time. We have Sunflower lanyards available to borrow from the Visitors Centre next to the A1 car park.

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Explore the gardens and then enjoy delicious food and drink from our café.

Hillsborough Castle Café: Located in the Weston Pavilion, Pineapple Yard.

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Shop for gifts and souvenirs inspired by this famous royal residence.

Our shops offer everything from souvenirs and gifts, to fine jewellery. You can also shop online and non-EU residents can buy tax-free.

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We offer reduced admission for groups of 15 people or more.

Enjoy a castle tour and all-day entry to 100 acres of world-famous historic gardens.

Group visits

Bookings are now open for the 2025-26 academic year.

Interactive and enquiry-based sessions are available for all key stages and SEND students.

School visits

What to see on your visit

For your visit to Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, we recommend at least three hours to discover the spectacular gardens and State rooms.

Things to see and do Events for families Events

Map

Hillsborough Castle and Gardens map

Download Hillsborough Castle and Gardens map (PDF)

Hillsborough Castle and Gardens map. © Historic Royal Palaces.

1. Castle entrance

It is advisable that you arrive at Hillsborough Castle at least 30 minutes before your timeslot starts, to allow sufficient time to make your way from the car park and Lower Visitor Centre at the Weston Pavilion, through the gardens to the Castle State Entrance.

2. Granville Garden

See elegant roses in the Granville Garden.

3. Yew Tree Walk

Follow the picturesque path lined with Irish Yew trees.

4. Willow House

Hide out in the Willow House, part of the Imaginary Menagerie play trail.

5. Friends Burial Ground

6. Lost Garden

Explore hidden spots and exotic plants in the Lost Garden.

7. Lady Alice's Temple

Take in the view from a seat in Lady Alice's temple.

8. The Gardener's Summer House

Explore this fun corner of the grounds in The Gardener's Summer House, created especially for children with activity sheets and pull out displays.

9. The Glen

Sit and take a moment in this quiet, serene corner of the gardens in the Glen.

10. Moss Walk

Wander alongside Moss walk, a precious walkway lined with 150-year old lime trees. Please help to preserve this ecosystem by keeping to to the adjoining paths.

11. Walled Garden

See this beautiful restored working Walled Garden supplying seasonal produce to the cafe and with special Irish apple tree varieties in the orchard.

12. Coronation Meadow and bee hives

Meander through a wildflower meadow during spring and summer, buzzing with a variety of insects and home to the bees.

13. Hydro House

See the Hydro House, restored in 2017, with a hydro-generator installed to power the visitor centre with electric.

14. Pinetum

Stand amongst majestic Sequoia and Sequoiadendron, providing a calm space to relax.

15. The Ice House

16. The Lake

Enjoy this secluded part of the gardens with a stroll around the large, beautiful lake, host to birds and wildlife. A special place to walk and unwind and enjoy nature.

Stable Yard

Buggy park
Lockers
Toilets/ Accessible toilets
Baby change

Entrance from Hillsborough Town

Arriving by bus or on foot, there is a pedestrian entrance to the gardens from Hillsborough village.

Entrance/exit from the car park

The car park can be found off the A1 dual carriageway by following the brown tourist signs.

If visiting the castle, it is advisable that you arrive at Hillsborough Castle at least 30 to 45 minutes before your timeslot starts, to allow sufficient time to make your way from the Lower Visitor Centre, through the gardens to the Castle State Entrance. The castle is approximately 20 to 30 minute walk from the car park.

Weston Pavillion

The Hillsborough Castle cafe is located in the Weston Pavilion, along with toilets, baby change facilities, information point, admission ticket desk, and our shop.

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Pineapple Yard

Toilets / Accessible & Changing Places toilet
Baby change
Bicycle rack
First aid point

Parking

The car park can be found off the A1 dual carriageway by following the brown tourist signs.

Bus stop - Hillsborough War Memorial

Arriving by bus? Hillsborough War Memorial bus stop is a 3 minute walk from the entrance in The Square at the top of the Main Street, Hillsborough Village.

Food and drink

Visit our café

Enjoy delicious food and drink from our café using the best of local produce and seasonal fruit and veg from Hillsborough Castle's historic Walled Garden.

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The Imaginary Menagerie

Explore our animal-inspired play trail throughout the Castle's gardens, taking you on adventures celebrating the animals and wildlife that have made, and continue to make, Hillsborough their home.

The Imaginary Menagerie