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The Imaginary Menagerie

Our garden play trail

Skip the event ticket details and go to event summary.

When

In line with gardens opening hours

Where

In the gardens

Ticketing information

Suitable for families and visitors of all ages and abilities. Under 5's do not require a ticket.

Included in all admission tickets (Members go free)

Buy Hillsborough Gardens tickets
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Family fun awaits

Enjoy a day out discovering our interactive play trail - the Imaginary Menagerie.

This animal-inspired play trail throughout the Castle's gardens will take you on adventures celebrating the animals and wildlife that have made, and continue to make, Hillsborough their home.

From Governor Lord Erskine’s tropical fish which he bred in the Staircase Hall and Lady Salisbury’s horse and carriage, to the robins, kingfishers and otters that thrive in the gardens today - Hillsborough has a whole menagerie of animals for you to uncover as the seasons change.

Book your adventure today with a Gardens only ticket.

Play, marvel or relax among wildlife

Follow the kingfisher and robin trails around the gardens at your own pace. Discover magical places to play, marvel or relax with your family.

You'll find sculptures integrated into the landscape, hands-on play, as well as opportunities to watch nature in action like our bee hives and lakeside bird hide.

Which animals will you find along the way?

A family (two children and an adult) looking at “Hillsborough Hound” wire and wood dog sculptures, part of the Imaginary Menagerie Kingfisher Trail. The Imaginary Menagerie is a play trail throughout the Castle's gardens. Opened in June 2021, it takes visitors on an adventure course that includes a series of sculptures celebrating the pets and wildlife animals that have made Hillsborough their home. [See also: asset no.53796 for the Booklet guide].
The Imaginary Menagerie Kingfisher trail, showing a view of a metal cutout kingfisher bird with wings raised. The Imaginary Menagerie is a play trail throughout the Castle's gardens. Opened in June 2021, it takes visitors on an adventure course that includes a series of sculptures celebrating the pets and wildlife animals that have made Hillsborough their home. [See also: asset no.53796 for the Booklet guide].

Kingfisher trail

The trail takes you around the Lake and takes about 30 minutes to walk plus extra time to play.

Look out for the kingfishers. Follow them around the trail to see what you can find.

Feel the earth between your toes in Barefoot Walk, create marvellous music with the wooden chimes in the Sound Forest, spot our birds including majestic swans or perhaps one of our resident kingfishers and find your favourite Hillsborough Hound!

The Barefoot Walk, showing a family (two adults and two children) seated around the nature touch-table and examining the different natural textures laid out (for example, pine cones, lichen, sticks, pebbles). Part of the Imaginary Menagerie Kingfisher Trail. The Imaginary Menagerie is a play trail throughout the Castle's gardens. Opened in June 2021, it takes visitors on an adventure course that includes a series of sculptures celebrating the pets and wildlife animals that have made Hillsborough their home. [See also: asset no.53796 for the Booklet guide].
A family (two adults and two children) enjoying The Nest for Everyone sculpture designed by Clive Lyttle. One of the children is standing at the top of the ladder into the nest. Part of the Imaginary Menagerie Robin Trail. The Imaginary Menagerie is a play trail throughout the Castle's gardens. Opened in June 2021, it takes visitors on an adventure course that includes a series of sculptures celebrating the pets and wildlife animals that have made Hillsborough their home. [See also: asset no.53796 for the Booklet guide].
The Imaginary Menagerie Robin trail. Showing two children (girls) examining a Sounds of Nature bird song information boulder. The boulder is engraved with the sound a magpie makes. (The engraving which is not seen in this image reads, "chak chak chak, Magpie"). The Imaginary Menagerie is a play trail throughout the Castle's gardens. Opened in June 2021, it takes visitors on an adventure course that includes a series of sculptures celebrating the pets and wildlife animals that have made Hillsborough their home. [See also: asset no.53796 for the Booklet guide].
A family (two adults and two children) enjoying the playground swings on the Imaginary Menagerie play trail. The Imaginary Menagerie is a play trail throughout the Castle's gardens. Opened in June 2021, it takes visitors on an adventure course that includes a series of sculptures celebrating the pets and wildlife animals that have made Hillsborough their home. [See also: asset no.53796 for the Booklet guide].
The Imaginary Menagerie Robin trail. Showing a child (girl) smiling and listening to a Sounds of Nature talk tube. The Imaginary Menagerie is a play trail throughout the Castle's gardens. Opened in June 2021, it takes visitors on an adventure course that includes a series of sculptures celebrating the pets and wildlife animals that have made Hillsborough their home. [See also: asset no.53796 for the Booklet guide].

Robin trail

The trail takes about 40 minutes to walk plus extra time to play.

Look out for the robins. Follow them around the trail to see what you can find.

Hide out in the family nest, talk to the animals and birds or your friends with our amazing talk tubes, explore the crannog over the stream and lookout for the exotic birdcage sculpture. You can also build your own folly.

There is so much to explore!

The Imaginary Menagerie Robin trail, showing a view of a robin bird metal cutout. The Imaginary Menagerie is a play trail throughout the Castle's gardens. Opened in June 2021, it takes visitors on an adventure course that includes a series of sculptures celebrating the pets and wildlife animals that have made Hillsborough their home. [See also: asset no.53796 for the Booklet guide].

Download Imaginary Menagerie trail map booklet

Imaginary Menagerie trail map booklet
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