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When
Next workshop 14 March 2026
10.30 - 12.30Ticketing information
See individual workshops for prices.
Member discount available. Book your discounted member ticket online and bring your membership card.
Separate ticket (advance booking required)
St Patricks Day Gardening Workshop Seed sowing workshop Growing vegetables for the first time Summer propagation Summer bouquetsPlease wear sturdy footwear and bring outdoor clothing (applies to all workshops).
Join our expert gardeners for a series of unmissable workshops throughout the year. These small group sessions in the idyllic setting of Hillsborough Castle's gardens will teach you hands-on techniques to use at home, from creating a bee-friendly garden to designing the very best hand-tied bouquets.
The workshops take place in the Walled Garden and the surfaces are even.
St Patricks Day Gardening Workshop
Date: Saturday 14 March 2026
Time: 10:30-12:30 (maximum capacity: 15)
Place: Walled Garden
Price: £45.00 non-members / £35.00 members
Come and join Keeper of the Walled Garden, Daniel Coombes, and the walled garden team as they introduce you to the range of fruit and vegetables being grown this year, and show you how to plant potatoes, prune roses and sow early seed. All tools and equipment supplied. Please wear sturdy footwear and bring outdoor clothing.
Seed sowing workshop
Date: Saturday 11 April 2026
Time: 10:30-12:30 (maximum capacity: 15)
Place: Walled Garden (all materials supplied)
Price: £45.00 non-members / £35.00 members
Join the Walled Garden Team and learn how to sow a range of seeds, annuals and perennials, flowers and vegetables. Get hands on preparing compost, filling seed trays and sowing the seed, ready to take home and germinate.
Growing vegetables for the first time
Date: Saturday 23 May 2026
Time: 10:30-12:30 (maximum capacity: 12)
Place: Walled Garden (all materials supplied)
Price: £45.00 non-members / £35.00 members
Join the Walled Garden Team and learn how to plant out a range of vegetables and flowers in the garden. From preparing the soil, correct spacing and planting depth to getting your lines straight, the team will give you expert guidance.
Summer Propagation - grow your own plants for free
Date: Saturday 18 July 2026
Time: 10:30-12:30 (maximum capacity: 12)
Place: Walled Garden
Price: £45.00 non-members / £35.00 members
Grow your own plants: by the end of the workshop participants will be able to identify suitable plant material to use as propagules, and will be able to select material, prepare and insert cuttings of a variety of plants using different methods, from the plants in the gardens at Hillsborough.
Summer Bouquets
Date: Saturday 04 July, Saturday 08 August and 03 September 2026
Time: 10:30-12:30 (maximum capacity: 15)
Place: Meet in West Pavilion
Price: £55.00 non-members / £45.00 members
Participants will each harvest and condition flowers from the gardens at Hillsborough and create their own handtied bouquet under the instruction of our resident florist Lorna Brownlee.
Explore what's on
- Things to see
The Gardens
Discover the ornamental lawns, meandering waterways, peaceful woodlands and picturesque glens that surround Hillsborough Castle.
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In line with gardens opening hours
- Last entry one hour before closing.
- Hillsborough Castle
- Included in all admission tickets (Members go free)
- Things to see
- Tours and talks
The Castle
Discover elegant State Rooms still used by the royal family inside Hillsborough Castle.
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In line with castle opening times
- Hillsborough Castle
- Included in combined castle tour and gardens tickets (Members go free)
- Exhibition
- Things to see
Life Through a Royal Lens
A must-see exhibition documenting the British Royal Family's ever-evolving relationship with the camera over the last 200 years.
- Closed
- Hillsborough Castle
- Included in combined castle tour and gardens tickets (Members go free)
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
Mo Mowlam
A unique Northern Ireland Secretary and Hillsborough Castle resident
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Shop Homewares
Explore our collection of stylish home accessories and furnishings, including cushions, tapestries, glassware and much more.
From £3.50
Royal Palace Fine Bone China Collection
Exclusive to Historic Royal Palaces, this exquisite fine bone china collection is inspired by the beautiful palaces in our care.
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