You are at the top of the page

Skip to content or footer

Start of main content

Granville Garden

Take a moment in this elegant rose garden created by Lady Granville, aunt to HM The Queen

The Granville Garden is named after its creator, Lady Rose Bowes-Lyon, who was aunt to Queen Elizabeth II and wife of the Earl of Granville, the second Governor of Northern Ireland.

Lady Granville loved gardening and spent years developing this elegant garden on the west lawn during the 1940s and 1950s. Today, you can enjoy the wonderful fragrance in spring and summer, when beds full of beautiful roses come into bloom.

Beautiful summer planting

In the centre of the garden are hybrid tea roses, surrounded by frames supporting climbing and rambling roses. The rest of the garden is made up of bountiful herbaceous borders, which include oriental poppies, peonies and irises.

When

In line with gardens opening hours


Ticketing information


Included in all admission tickets (Members go free)

Buy Hillsborough Castle and Gardens tickets

A garden fit for a queen

As young princesses, Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Princess Margaret would visit their aunt and uncle at Hillsborough Castle.

The Queen first stayed with Lord and Lady Granville in 1945 and liked to see the Granville Garden during her visits.

Overlooking the Granville Garden is the State Dining Room, where The Queen would hosts dinners. From her seat at the dining table in front of the fireplace, she had a direct line of sight into the Granville Garden.

Two male visitors look at white flowers in a lush green garden under a blue sky in the summer.

Explore what's on

  • Things to see
  • Tours and talks

The Castle

Discover elegant State Rooms still used by the royal family inside Hillsborough Castle.

  • In line with castle opening times
  • Hillsborough Castle
  • Included in combined castle tour and gardens tickets (Members go free)
Learn more
  • Things to see

Walled Garden

Enter the castle grounds through this 18th-century walled garden, which has been expertly restored using traditional methods.

  • In line with gardens opening hours
  • Hillsborough Castle
  • Included in all admission tickets (Members go free)
Learn more
  • Things to see

The Gardens

Discover the ornamental lawns, meandering waterways, peaceful woodlands and picturesque glens that surround Hillsborough Castle.

  • In line with gardens opening hours
  • Last entry one hour before closing.
  • Hillsborough Castle
  • Included in all admission tickets (Members go free)
Learn more

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

Shop online

Shop Homewares

Explore our collection of stylish home accessories and furnishings, including cushions, tapestries, glassware and much more.

From £3.50

Shop Glassware

Raise your glass in style with our exquisite range of luxury glassware.

From £12

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.

From £28