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
Monday 4th 10:00 - 18:00
Tuesday 5th Closed
Wednesday 6th 10:00 - 18:00
Thursday 7th 10:00 - 18:00
Friday 8th 10:00 - 18:00
Saturday 9th 10:00 - 18:00
Sunday 10th 10:00 - 18:00
Last entry to gardens 1 hour before closing.
Monday 4th 11:00 - 16:00
Tuesday 5th Closed
Wednesday 6th 12:00 - 17:30
Thursday 7th 11:00 - 16:00
Friday 8th 11:00 - 16:00
Saturday 9th 11:00 - 16:00
Sunday 10th 11:00 - 16:00
06 May 2026: The Castle will be closed in the morning.
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 (excluding donation):
- Members: Free
- Adult: £11.00
- Child: £5.50
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)
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.
Explore the gardens and then enjoy delicious food and drink from our café.
Hillsborough Castle Café: Located in the Weston Pavilion, Pineapple Yard.
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.
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.
Bookings are now open for the 2025-26 academic year.
Interactive and enquiry-based sessions are available for all key stages and SEND students.
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.
Hillsborough Castle and Gardens Itinerary Things to see and do EventsMap
Hillsborough Castle and Gardens map
Hillsborough Castle and Gardens map. © Historic Royal Palaces.
Food and drink
Taste of the gardens afternoon tea
Enjoy a gardens-inspired afternoon tea in the Weston Pavilion Café and experience the wonderful gardens. (Gardens entry not included but can be purchased on arrival).
Discounted for members.
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.
Learn more
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 MenagerieGot a question?
Browse our frequently asked questions to help plan your visit.
By car
Free on-site car parking is available. The car park post code is BT26 6TY, what3 words: ///culling.diagram.beards. Alternatively, follow the brown tourist signs on the A1 south to our sign-posted car park entrance.
Bus
The nearest bus stop is at Hillsborough War Memorial. It is a 3 minute walk from the village entrance in The Square at the top of the Main Street. Route 238 is an express service which connects central Belfast to Hillsborough village. Route 38 is a standard service which connects central Belfast, Banbridge and Newry to Hillsborough village via south Belfast and Lisburn. Both services start at Grand Central Station, the main bus station in Belfast.
Bus and train timetables can be found on the Translink website.
On foot
The pedestrian entrance to Hillsborough Castle and Gardens in Hillsborough village is in The Square at the top of the Main Street.
Train
Lisburn station is 5 miles from Hillsborough Castle and Gardens. Bus route 38 connects Lisburn rail station and Hillsborough village.
On-site car parking is available free of charge including 27 disabled parking space, free for Blue Badge holders. Please please follow the brown tourist signs on the A1 south to our sign-posted car park entrance. Visit the Getting Here page for more information.
You are able to spend as much time as you like for your visit, dependent on your entry time. We recommend at least three hours to discover the spectacular gardens and State rooms. Use our Hillsborough Castle and Gardens suggested itinerary to help you make the most of your day.
See our opening times page for the latest opening times and details of any closures.
Toilets are available in the following locations:
- Pineapple Yard
- Gardens
- Weston Pavilion (Lower Visitor Centre)
All toilets have disabled access and baby changing facilities.
Due to the natural terrain of the gardens, some paths are unsuitable for wheelchair users and those with restricted mobility. For further information on accessibility at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, see our Accessibility page.
We offer some wheelchairs to use on a first come, first served basis which are sanitised between each use.
Rucksacks, large bags (anything bigger than approx. A3) and buggies will not be allowed in the Castle. Free lockers will be available for bag and buggy storage.
Small handbags are permitted inside the castle on the condition they may be searched upon entry, using non touch when entering the State Entrance.
Dogs are not permitted on-site or in palace gardens unless they are trained assistance dogs or medical alert dogs. We are happy to provide water on request. No other dogs are permitted within the site.
Due to conservation concern and the nature of items on display, unfortunately, we do not allow emotional support animals to enter the palace.
Explore what's on
- Events
- Things to see
- Families
Bulbs and Blooms
An extravaganza of buds, bulbs and blooms in Hillsborough Castle's stunning gardens.
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Dates:
Until 04 May 2026
- Times: In line with gardens opening hours
- Location: Hillsborough Castle
- Ticket type: Included in all admission tickets (Members go free)
- Events
- Workshops
Garden Workshops
Join our expert gardeners for spring and summer workshops in the historic gardens.
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Dates:
Select days from April to September 2026
- Times: 10.30 - 12.30
- Location: Hillsborough Castle
- Ticket type: Separate ticket (advance booking required)
- Families
- Events
Beano Hijinks at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens
100 acres of total time travel trouble with Beano Hijinks at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens
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Dates:
27 June - 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)