Hillsborough Castle and Gardens launches new £1 entry scheme

Historic Royal Palaces, the charity which manages Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, has announced a new £1 ticket scheme for people in receipt of benefit income.  The scheme reflects the charity’s commitment to broadening access to the historic site and its spectacular gardens, so they can be enjoyed by as many people as possible.  The tickets are available to book from this week, ahead of the castle’s State Rooms re-opening at the weekend (Saturday 9th March).  

The scheme will be available to anyone in receipt of Universal Credit and other financially means-tested benefits, and those eligible will  have the opportunity to bring six people along with them to explore the Castle and its 100 acres of gardens.  After a busy morning exploring, visitors with a £1 ticket will also be able to enjoy a 50% discount in the Castle’s café, with any accompanying children eating for free.  Over 50,000 people have already visited the historic palaces in London since the scheme launched there, and it is hoped that the scheme will be similarly successful in Northern Ireland. 

The announcement comes as the visitor attraction announces its programme for 2024, starting with the Spring Spectacular when the gardens will burst to life with over half a million bulbs in bloom. After the Lindt GOLD BUNNY exclusively hops over to Northern Ireland for the first time to create an Easter Hunt in the grounds of the Castle, visitors can enjoy a spring season of crafting, tours of the Castle, gardening walks and trails before a summer of music, food and family fun. 

Laura McCorry, Head of Hillsborough Castle explains; “We know how hard things are for people on low incomes just now, and we want everyone to be able to enjoy a day out at  

Hillsborough Castle and Gardens.  We have acres of outdoor space for families to enjoy and a packed programme of events and activities coming up in 2024, so we’re hoping lots of people will take us up on this new offer.  My team are excited to welcome even more people to experience Northern Ireland’s shared history, in a space where it continues to unfold.” 

For more information, what’s on at Hillsborough Castle and to book tickets, visit hrp.org.uk/Hillsborough-castle. 

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Notes to editors

Media Contact: Jane Williams, JComms: jane.williams@jcomms.co.uk / 07545206590 

*£1 tickets will be available for anyone in receipt of the following: 

• Universal Credit 
• Working Tax Credit 
• Child Tax Credit 
• Pension Credit 
• Employment and Support Allowance 
• Income Support 
• Jobseeker’s Allowance 

** Excludes alcohol and other selected items 

Historic Royal Palaces is a team of people who love and look after six of the most wonderful palaces in the world. We create space for spirits to stir and be stirred. We want everyone to feel welcome and accepted. We tell stories about the monarchs you know and the lives you don’t. We let people explore and we set minds racing. We are a charity and your support gives the palaces a future, for everyone.  Registered charity number 1068852. For more information visit www.hrp.org.uk