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Hillsborough Castle Gardens: 100 Acres of Beauty
4.3
27 Ratings
Hillsborough
Explore Hillsborough Castle Gardens: 100 acres of historic beauty, vibrant blooms, and tranquil views. Discover restored gardens and seasonal splendor.
Explore Hillsborough Castle Gardens: 100 acres of historic beauty, vibrant blooms, and tranquil views. Discover restored gardens and seasonal splendor.
Duration:
2 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Hillsborough Castle and Gardens - Stroll leisurely through the historic gardens of Hillsborough Castle, the official residence of the Royal Family in Northern Ireland. Discover rare plant species while enjoying the fascinating contrasts between the elaborate formal gardens, woodlands, and meadows.
- Hillsborough Castle and Gardens - Stroll leisurely through the historic gardens of Hillsborough Castle, the official residence of the Royal Family in Northern Ireland. Discover rare plant species while enjoying the fascinating contrasts between the elaborate formal gardens, woodlands, and meadows.
What's Included
- Entry ticket to Hillsborough Castle Gardens
- Entry ticket to Hillsborough Castle Gardens
What's Not Included
- Food and Drink
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop off
- Food and Drink
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop off
Additional Information
Explore 100 acres of peaceful beauty where history flourishes throughout the year. Stroll through the recently renovated 18th-century Walled Gardens, discover the allure of the Lost Gardens, and relax in Lady Alice’s Temple to enjoy serene views over the formal lawns and the castle in the distance. From the fragrant blooms of spring to the vibrant…
Explore 100 acres of peaceful beauty where history flourishes throughout the year. Stroll through the recently renovated 18th-century Walled Gardens, discover the allure of the Lost Gardens, and relax in Lady Alice’s Temple to enjoy serene views over the formal lawns and the castle in the distance. From the fragrant blooms of spring to the vibrant colors of summer, the Granville Garden enchants with hybrid tea roses surrounded by elegant climbers and ramblers.
- Free car parking on site
Location
Hillsborough Castle and Gardens
Hillsborough Castle The Square
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.3
(27 Ratings)
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1 star
Anna
Jan 1, 2026
Excellent gardens 🌲🌿☘️🌱🪴🪷🌹 - The staff are very welcoming. It’s quick check in scan ticket and go. The gardens are beautiful 🤩. Well maintained and very neat. It’s great you can get so close to the castle and the lake is great. Great for history lovers too. The cafe was alright. Could have been better? Yes. The hot chocolate was ok and some seats were dirty. But in the gardens it was nice very big space to explore. I recommend for above walk.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
E50qobethm
Jul 14, 2024
Wonderful art tour! - We decided to take the art tour which was about an hour long and didn’t disappoint! The staff at the castle are always very pleasant and helpful and our guide Liz was friendly, informative and engaging.
We really enjoyed hearing about the artworks and she provided great insight into the their content as well as the historical context and connections to the castle itself.
Afterwards we were able to grab a coffee at the Stable Yard Cafe and go for a wonder in the gardens which are always worth the visit!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
547arcticfox
Apr 1, 2024
Delightful Easter Visit - We visited on a dry sunny Easter Sunday afternoon. Easy access to car park and plenty of spaces. Ticket desk staff were very pleasant and helpful. We decided to follow the Easter trail as it took us through the main garden features and on completion we were given Lindt chocolate bunnies which we enjoyed with our excellent tea and scones in the on site cafe. Given the season the gardens were showing off their “Spring Spectacular”with a variety of spring bulbs in bloom throughout.
A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon and we would visit again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marj0s_l
Mar 13, 2024
Indrukwekkend - Great garden. A must see. The head gardener herself made us even more enthusiastic by giving lots of extra information. We will definitely come back
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Wolfman227
Feb 8, 2024
Hillsborough Castle grounds - Such an amazing place to visit. This time (Dec 2023) the grounds were open for a snowman hunt. Large snowmen were placed around the gardens so children and adults alike could engage whilst walking the grounds. Last year (2022) they did a light show, which was amazing.
Though very enjoyable it was very wet and so you need to remember to take appropriate clothing.
Haven’t yet been during spring and summer when everything is in bloom etc and I bet that it absolutely amazing.
Did enjoy the walk around the lake. The swans know you are there lol. When you get to a certain point around the lake there is a seed ‘vending machine’ (£1 coins). If you stop here to catch your breathe, tie your laces or like me buy some seed then by the time you’ve looked back up the swans, ducks etc have appeared. 😂 They know.
There are tours but I preferred to wonder.
The cafe and gift shop are also worth a visit. I had a lovely cooked breakfast.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
R6002oavictoriap
Dec 6, 2023
Beautiful Christmas Experience for all the family - highly recommended! - Lovely Christmassy experience with the Snowmen! Have been on previous occasions and although different this year just as nice, beautiful walks around the gardens.
Hillsborough Castle always provides the most magical experience at Christmas.. my son particularily enjoyed the chocolate making workshop and the Christmas storytelling, the staff were fantastic and had so much time to help and any questions. There is even the opportunity for brunch with Santa!!
Truely a magical experience had by all - staff are so friendly and welcoming and will continue to recommend to family and friends to add as a Christmas tradition. Thanks again Hillsborough Castle and Gardens!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jenniesn9913wp
May 3, 2023
Amazing - Absolutely beautiful place with beautiful breathtaking grounds and the landscaping is immaculate. We had a tour from the very knowledgable Ryan full of fun and information will definitely be back really worth the visit
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Northstar54725777976
Apr 13, 2023
Enjoyable visit and will return. - Very enjoyable visit - first time there. Well signposted and plenty of parking spaces. Reception staff pleasant and helpful. I mentioned difficulty on long walk and receptionist "Clare" arranged transport to the house, suggesting to undertake the garden walk afterwards as it was mostly downhill. Cafe and shop well stocked and staffed.
House tour was very informative and our guide "Silvia" was personable and very good with the children's questions!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Musketeer1645
Dec 23, 2021
Spoiled by loud music. - We went to look at the gardens and to see the start of the Christmas lights. The gardens are excellent and the lights were pretty good so why the only average review? The whole visit was spoiled by the music that was played at far too high a volume throughout the gardens. It was much louder than I would have played it at home and, to make matters worse, there appeared to be multiple soundtracks so that in some places it was possible to hear two music tracks simultaneously. Ironically at one place there's a sign reading 'The Sounds of Nature'. If there were any sounds of nature they were drowned out by the music. Overall, then, the visit was disappointing - not recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Proudmum66
Aug 26, 2025
Disappointing - 1st time visiting and wont be back cannot believe they let a group in with certain sporting sticks/bats which actually took away us enjoying our day due to them whacking the ball no consideration for others did the staff stop them NO. At the green where story time took place this group took over with their sport wasn't good for everyone else having to dodge the ball coming in their path on emailing the castle their response was applling their staff weren't aware of this group seriously the cashier alone couldn't have missed what they were carrying plus the guy doing story time saw them an expensive day out to be ruined by staff not wanting to offend and an inconsiderate group
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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