Hillsborough combines a royal residence, historic gardens and a townscape shaped by Georgian architecture. There are several highlights to consider when planning your trip: castle tours, the gardens, the history of Royal Hillsborough and the woodland attractions at Hillsborough Forest. Which ones you include depends on whether you want to focus on architecture, local history, or nature and art.

Castle and Gardens: Two Time Estimates

Hillsborough Castle and Gardens is a large Georgian estate and a royal residence in Northern Ireland. On guided tours, visitors see the state rooms, which are still used by the royal family today. A tour lasts around 45 minutes; times may vary. The castle’s history also includes talks that contributed to the creation of the Good Friday Agreement. This makes a visit to its state rooms a way to explore an important chapter in its history.

The historic gardens were developed from the 1760s onwards. Formal garden areas, woodland and meadows characterise the grounds; the estate also has an 18th-century walled kitchen garden. The gardens therefore offer a distinct highlight alongside the castle tour.

When planning, allow for walking times as well as the length of the tour. From the free car park and ticket office at Hillsborough Castle, a footpath leads through the gardens to the castle; this walk takes 20 minutes. Allow for this separately from the tour, which lasts around 45 minutes: it covers a different part of the visit. Hillsborough Castle and Gardens can be reached by car or bus. If travelling by public transport, the pedestrian entrance is at The Square, at the top of Main Street. Check the latest travel information before setting off, as transport arrangements may change.

Georgian Townscape and Church History

The town’s history offers another way to explore Hillsborough. Royal Hillsborough is a planned Georgian town whose character was shaped largely by the Hill family in the early 18th century. St. Malachy's Parish Church stands on a site where religious services have been held since the early 17th century. The church is a notable example of 18th-century Gothic Revival architecture, with a well-preserved interior that has remained virtually unchanged.

A former market house and courthouse in Hillsborough was built around 1760 and now serves as a visitor centre. Together with the planned town and the church, it adds further historic architectural styles to the picture of Hillsborough.

Fort and Hillsborough Forest

Hillsborough Fort was built to protect the road from Carrickfergus to Dublin. Access is clearly divided: the surrounding green space is open, but the interior of the fort is closed. Check the access arrangements again before setting off.

At Hillsborough Forest, a digital sculpture trail runs for almost two kilometres. The forest redevelopment also included a woodland play area for children with different abilities. The trail brings together woodland and sculptures, while the play area provides a separate focus for children. When choosing your outings, you can weigh up local history, a garden visit and the attractions in the forest.

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Go to the main travel overview: Lisburn.