Summer House

Spark their imaginations with fun garden trails and activities

Our Summer House is the perfect start to your adventure at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens.

Created especially to keep little ones entertained during your visit, this fun corner of the grounds will catch the attention of any little wildlife expert or future gardener.

Explore the gardens with fun activities

Pick up a special activity sheet to record what you see and smell during your day, or learn more about the animals, birds and other creatures that live in our gardens with our pull-out displays.

Can you spot the swans, kingfishers and other wildlife on the beautiful lake, and listen for the ravens in the Pinetum? Maybe you can see bees and butterflies in the Walled Garden, or even otters in the pond near Lady Alice's Temple?

Find out which cute creature steals fruit to line its bed and learn what buried treasure our gardeners have found in the grounds.

When

Closed

Ticketing information

The Summer House is open daily in all seasons, during normal opening times.

Located between Moss Walk and the east wall of the Walled Garden, just a short walk from the Weston Pavilion.

Included in all admission tickets (Members go free)

Book Hillsborough Castle and Gardens tickets

Things to see

Children explore the Summer House at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens

Find out what's growing in the gardens

There are 100 acres of grounds at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, which keeps our gardeners busy! From our kitchen produce in the Walled Garden and our wild meadow on the South Lawn to our huge lake and pinetum, there is always something to do, cultivate or grow.

The gardens also have a long history going back to the 18th century, and many gardeners have tended to the ground here.

In the Summer House you can find out what's growing in the garden at the moment and learn more about the characters who have worked here over the years.

Gardens