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The story of Hillsborough Castle and Gardens

‘The Grandest House in County Down’

Mary, Marchioness of Downshire: A Life in Miniature

Research and Interpretation Producer Emma Lawthers takes a brief glimpse into the lives of the Mary and the Hill family of Hillsborough Castle, as seen through the lens of a very unique object.

Art at Hillsborough Castle

Hillsborough Castle has become a place in which to see amazing art

Art and decorative arts collections

Art and decorative arts collections at Historic Royal Palaces.

Hampton Court Palace as a Victorian art gallery

This little watercolour, painted by an unknown artist in the 1850s, is a revealing glimpse of what it was like to visit Hampton Court Palace in the 19th century.

Searching for the Young Black Man in the Portrait of William III, Part 1

A young Black man dressed in blue and gold holding a helmet stands beside William III in a portrait that is a focal point of our exhibition: Untold Lives: A Palace at Work. Who was he? Where did he live and when? Why is he in the painting with William III? And how can historians unravel the mystery surrounding him?

• 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)

• Things to see

State Entrance Hall

Start your tour in the magnificent state entrance, where royals, politicians and peacemakers all enter the castle.

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

• Things to see

State Drawing Room

Discover contemporary Irish art from the collection of His Majesty The King in this elegant family space.

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

• Things to see

State Dining Room

Explore this stylish setting for Georgian entertainment, where Queen Elizabeth II hosted dinners.

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

• Things to see

The King’s Gallery

Explore the King's Gallery, which was transformed by William Kent to showcase the finest paintings of the Royal Collection.

• Open
• In line with palace opening hours
• Kensington Palace
• Included in palace admission (Members go free)

• Things to see

Rubens ceiling

Marvel at Sir Peter Paul Rubens' ceiling in its original setting of Inigo Jones' spectacular Banqueting House.

• Closed
• Banqueting House
• Included in palace admission (Members go free)

Mary, Marchioness of Downshire: A Life in Miniature

Research and Interpretation Producer Emma Lawthers takes a brief glimpse into the lives of the Mary and the Hill family of Hillsborough Castle, as seen through the lens of a very unique object.

Art and decorative arts collections

Art and decorative arts collections at Historic Royal Palaces.

Hampton Court Palace as a Victorian art gallery

This little watercolour, painted by an unknown artist in the 1850s, is a revealing glimpse of what it was like to visit Hampton Court Palace in the 19th century.

Searching for the Young Black Man in the Portrait of William III, Part 1

A young Black man dressed in blue and gold holding a helmet stands beside William III in a portrait that is a focal point of our exhibition: Untold Lives: A Palace at Work. Who was he? Where did he live and when? Why is he in the painting with William III? And how can historians unravel the mystery surrounding him?

Searching for the Young Black Man in the Portrait of William III, Part 2

The next step in our search was to look at sources and pictures on William III's life before he arrived in England, and his first court, to attempt to discover more about this young man, and why he might have been painted with the King.

Sketches of Queen Victoria as a girl

A unique set of sketches in our collection show Princess Victoria at three years old, on holiday in the seaside town of Ramsgate, Kent in 1822. They give us a rare informal glimpse of Victoria as a pink-cheeked cherub and a bundle of energy.