100 acres of total time travel trouble at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens
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When
27 June - 31 August 2026
In line with gardens opening hoursTicketing information
Tickets on sale soon.
Included in all admission tickets (Members go free, no pre-booking required)
This summer holiday, Dennis, Minnie, Harsha, Rubi and Gnasher are in trouble... again! Their bonkers go-kart time machine has gone haywire and scattered its pieces all over Hillsborough Castle's 100-acre gardens. Unless they find them, the Beano crew could be stuck in history forever! Gulp!
This summer, it's up to YOU to help. Armed with a special Hillsborough Castle Beano comic strip story, you'll track down six missing parts of the time machine and stumble across larger-than-life characters from Hillsborough's history – from daring pranksters to music makers and world-famous inventors. Solve the clues and find the time machine in time for a blamtastic photo finish!
Get ready for jokes, japes and joyful chaos in Northern Ireland's famous gardens.
Beano © DC Thomson & Co Ltd (2026)
Mischief, mayhem... and a mega day out
And that's not all - the fun keeps rolling! After you've helped Dennis and pals, why stop there? Upgrade your ticket and sneak (ok, not really sneak...) inside Hillsborough Castle. Explore the fancy rooms where kings, queens and VIPs once hung out.
Then dash back outside to tackle the Imaginary Menagerie play trail. Climb, scramble and run wild to burn off all that energy... and the delicious treats and tasty lunches from the café.
Step into more escapades with membership
Did you know that members get a whole year of adventures at Hillsborough Castle and other blamtastic palaces, with prices starting from just £60? London-bound Beano superfans can discover more mischief at the Tower of London this February half term (14-22 February), or at Henry VIII's Hampton Court Palace this summer (25 July - Sunday 23 August).
What kind of tree smells bad? Yew do!
Explore what's on
- Things to see
- Families
The Imaginary Menagerie
Enjoy a day out discovering our interactive play trail - the Imaginary Menagerie.
- In line with gardens opening hours
- Hillsborough Castle
- Included in all admission tickets (Members go free)
- Families
- Events
- Christmas
Christmas at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens
Explore the gardens this Christmas transformed with festive magic with The Snowman™ and The Snowdog.
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29 November 2025 - 04 January 2026 (excluding 24-26 December)
- In line with gardens opening hours.
- Hillsborough Castle
- Included in all admission tickets (Members go free, no pre-booking required)
- Events
- For members
Members-only carols by the Christmas tree
Wrap up warm and join us for a selection of traditional Christmas carols and a warm drink under the stars. Celebrate Christmas and spread the festive cheer. Invitation warmly extended to volunteers and staff.
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04 December 2025
- 16:00 - 17:30
- Hillsborough Castle
- Separate ticket (advance booking required)
Browse more history and stories
The story of Hillsborough Castle and Gardens
‘The Grandest House in County Down’
Art at Hillsborough Castle
Hillsborough Castle has become a place in which to see amazing art
Historic hauntings at Hampton Court Palace
Centuries of ghosts and grim tales
Shop online
Official Hillsborough Castle & Gardens Guidebook
Descriptive, informative, authoritative - this superb guidebook is the best way to learn all there is about the Hillsborough Castle and Gardens.
£4.99