NI Science Festival

Dick Strawbridge - In conversation at Hillsborough Castle

An evening with Dick Strawbridge - engineer, sustainability advocate and star of well-loved TV shows, Escape to the Chateau and Scrapheap Challenge. 

Chairing the conversation will be Jane Larmour, Director of award-winning Arigho Larmour Wheeler Architects, Architecture Lecturer at Queen’s University Belfast and returning expert judge on BBC NI’s House of the Year.

Through lively discussion and audience Q&A, Dick will share insights on blending practical skills with creative thinking by delving into his background in engineering, restoration, sustainable living and tv career.

Featuring apprentices from the All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme, this engaging conversation will celebrate craftspeople, inventors, conservation, and sustainability, while inspiring future generations to explore careers that connect science, tradition, and innovation.

Venue: This event is taking place in the Hillsborough Castle Café which is accessed by our main entrance off the A1. There is ample free car parking for your convenience, and the Café bar will be open for drinks and refreshments.

Date: Saturday 14 February 2026

Time: 19:00

Duration: 90 minutes

Price: Adult £25 / Members £15 / Concession £23

Capacity: 100

Ages: Suitable for families with children aged 12+

A beginner’s guide to the science of compost

 For beginner gardeners who want to know the science behind composting and keeping your soil healthy, the pH, texture and structure of the soil and soil organisms, find out more about the science of compost.

Hillsborough Castle’s gardeners will show you how they make compost and how to get the carbon and Nitrogen ratio just right. Learn what can be composted and how to tell when it is ready to use. As well as a guided walk through the Walled Garden, you will visit behind the scenes areas such as the compost yard and the gardeners operating base.

This is an outdoor event so please come dressed appropriately. In the event of wet weather, we will relocate to a polytunnel. Be prepared to get your hands dirty and stuck into soil and compost.

Date: Saturday 14 February and Saturday 21 February 2026

Times: 11:00 and 13:30

Duration: 60 minutes

Price: Adult £20.80 / Concession £16.60 / Members £10.30 (price includes admission to Hillsborough Castle's gardens).

Capacity: 20

Age: 18+

Behind the scenes conservation tour of Hillsborough Castle

Discover how we conserve and preserve furniture, paintings, silverware and clocks for display in the State Rooms of Hillsborough Castle. Led by Castle and Collections Manager David Orr, you will see the techniques used to care for our collections.

Visit behind the scenes rooms not on the regular tours and meet one of our highly skilled specialists.

Dates & times: Wednesday 18 February (13:30) and Thursday 19 February (13:30)

Duration: 90 minutes

Price: Adult £20.80 / Concession £16.60 (price includes admission to Hillsborough Castle's gardens). Members go free.

Capacity: 20 persons per session

Age: 10+