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A hidden gem at the heart of Northern Ireland, Hillsborough Castle provides both historical and natural wonders in abundance
County Down
Historic Landmarks
25mins from Belfast City Airport
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For more than 300 years, Hillsborough Castle has played host to some of Ireland’s most important visitors and has become a vital part of the island of Ireland's history.
From Benjamin Franklin to the Dalai Lama, countless figures who helped to build the modern world have passed through the doors at Hillsborough Castle, enjoying the acres of astonishing gardens that complement the official residence of Her Majesty The Queen in Northern Ireland.
Watch now
A royal residence
Historic palace
Hillsborough Castle serves as the official residence of Her Majesty The Queen in Northern Ireland and, as such, it is impossible not to feel the hand of history.
The Big House with a big history
Technically not a castle but a traditional Irish Georgian house, Hillsborough provides elegance and grace from the start. Boasting facilities fit for the royal family, several State Rooms provide visitors with not just a history of the house itself but of Northern Ireland. The walls of the Throne Room are lined with green, silk damask fabric, while the Red Room takes its name from the red fabric which covers its walls.
On a tour of the current Royal Residence, you'll hear expert household staff sharing personal stories of entertainment, diplomacy and celebration that vividly connect the past to the present. From the State Drawing Room to the Stair Hall, a wander through each room of the Big House provides its own unique charms, but it's in Lady Grey's peaceful Study that you may wish to stop awhile and daydream about the past lives lived in this historic place.
Today’s grand entrance to the house contains objects that predate Northern Irish politics and religion, yet are integral to its past.
FINANCIAL TIMES
Hillsborough Castle and gardens, County Down
L-R: Inside Hillsborough Castle; view of the gardens at Hillsborough]
American History Tour
Step into history at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, where over 250 years of shared stories between the USA, UK, and Ireland come to life. Join a fascinating immersive tour that reveals the historic connection with the USA, starting with American Independence and Benjamin Franklin's visit. Walk in the footsteps of presidents and peacemakers who used Hillsborough Castle as a vital backdrop in discussions around peace and reconciliation that continue to shape our lives today – including the Good Friday Agreement.
American Shared History Tour tickets available soon. Visit hrp.org.uk for more information.
Hillsborough Gardens
Bursting with color, the breathtaking grounds surrounding Hillsborough Castle are a joy, with their delightful mix of woodlands, wild meadows and the more formal, landscaped gardens.
Our advice? Upon arrival, make your way to the stunning Walled Garden, a historical horticultural space where fruit, vegetables and flowers have been grown for the castle since the 18th century. Get inspiration for your own garden or simply marvel at the Espalier fruit trees, which have been bearing apples and pears on the walls for more than 50 years.
It's one of the finest gardens you've never seen – but is something of a hidden gem
BELFAST TELGRAPH
Garden highlights
The stunning Yew Tree Walk takes its name from the trees that mirror each other along a path, which once served as a major road for the surrounding town. The Moss Walk is exactly as you’d expect: a deep, soft carpet of moss growing beneath a canopy of lime trees.
Recent work has unveiled forgotten wonders such as the Lost Garden, and no walk through the grounds would be complete without a visit to Lady Alice’s Temple – the perfect lakeside place to stop, relax and just listen to the sounds of nature.
If your walk through the Gardens has made you curious, you can try the local produce grown on site at either the Hillsborough Castle in the Weston Pavillion or the The Stable Yard Tea Room. For the full food experience, though, don't miss the Hillsborough Castle and Gardens Food Festival, which takes place every August.
And when you've finished wandering through history at Hillsborough, head to the town outside the castle grounds for a taste of local life in pubs such as The Plough Inn, The Hillside and The Parson’s Nose which serve food as well as drinks.
County Down highlights
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