hillsborough castle

DaithiCK

Recently transferred to the Historic Royal Palaces, there is a lot of history in this stately home. It's always great to visit a place that is also a living breathing residence. If in the area well worth checking out.

SIB444

Our visit was organised by our classic car club and we had a great tour of the castle, it's history was interesting if you are into it, I was interested to a point, but the rooms and furniture are exquisite. Time cut us short so we were unable to appreciate the gardens but will return to do them again. I would return for another visit and hope we have lovely weather to be able to enjoy the gardens and lake

karlb162

go to the Hillsborough Castle museum. It isn't a big place but for locals its a must to read about the local area, the local court procedures, they have a fully set out Victorian court room which was used up until 1970's

Lsdwilson

We live locally and the park is excellent for a short stroll or a good workout walk. All the paths are very well maintained with the only downside being the multitude of dog walkers with their dogs off their leads. The Fort is good for kids. You can also walk from the park into the village centre for a coffee or more.

KeithC496

We were blessed with autimn sunshine during our stay. The walks around the grounds were splendid and very peaceful. Interesting layout.

wendys803

We had a great tour guide with lots of knowledge and a good sense of humour. The castle is beautiful and the gardens which you canWalk through are simply stunning. Inside the castle you are shown around many rooms and told the stories about each room. You don't feel like you are in a museum-type place but more like visiting Downton Abbey. You get to sit on chairs and sofas that past and present leaders and royalty have sat on. You hear their personal experiences, about their favourite rooms etc Well worth a visit!!

Drumcovitt

We bought our tickets in the tourist information place in Hillsborough court house. You can visit the gardens any day from about 10.30-4.30 and it costs £3.50.We, however, wanted to see the inside of the castle and so paid for both house and gardens. Well worth it, our guide Robin was really well informed and had a very good way with the visitors. You just see the ground floor, but we loved in particular the dining room and the huge drawing room.We had a beautiful day, so spent about an hour and a half walking round the grounds, some terrific vistas and spectacular specimen trees. With a good lunch in the coffee shop on the Main Street, it made a lovely day out. I would definitely recommend this - if you need to sit down on the tour, there are chairs in nearly all the rooms that you can sit on.

Lynn1945

Hillsborough Castle and GardensIf you like castles or old homes, this is a beautiful 1770 building formerly belonging to the Governor of Northern Ireland. The queen stays here when in Northern Ireland. Gorgeous grounds and a quaint village and shops. The park dam or fort is a beautiful place to stroll.

Nikkinoodles0789

I visited Hillsborough Castle last Sunday with my family. Our guide was a charming lady called Judy. Judy was very welcoming & quickly realised that my Mum has hearing problems & without drawing attention to the fact she moved beside my Mum & encouraged us to sit on available seats (except HM's throne of course). In addition to the castle tour some of the Queen's outfits were on display.We were fortunate to have a sunny day to stroll around the Castle's gardens & they are beautifully laid out. We were made to feel like invited guests on the tour unlike some of the National Trust properties (speaking as a former member). The NT really need to send their guides to see how it should be done!

AshleyF132

Visited this castle whilst the Queen's outfits during her visits to Ireland were on display. You have to book a visit at the tourist information centre as the number per tour is limited. Our guide obviously new her stuff and was able to add personal touches. The inside is great, still the official residence of the Secretary of State, and full of interest. The grounds are free to visit without a guide at the end of the house tour. They are stunning and worth a good wander.

NorthernIrelandJoan

Had a great visit to this beautiful property during the time that some of the Queen's outfits were on display. The gardens are an absolute joy and the house itself most interesting. Lovely Tour Guide gave us a most enlightening tour in a very relaxed and non rushed way. After one and a half hours it felt like five minutes and it was a shame to find it was all over. Definitely recommend this place situated in the beautiful village of Hillsborough where you will find a selection of superb places to eat before or after your visit. Enjoy!

coarmaghayes

I took my family on a tour of Government house and gardens.It was very well organised and we viewed some outfits worn by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. The house was beautiful and well maintained as were the magnificient gardens. The only blot on the landscape was the condition of the toilet block in the garden, an upgrade needed.

PDYR

We really enjoyed visiting the castle. We did not know the Queen had a residence there. The guide was informative and the whole tour was very interesting. Pop this one in your diary.

Ssem

With my inlaws visiting from England we wanted to have a family day out. My husband suggested the castle, I am embarrassed to say I had never been before - very much my loss. We were lucky enough to be the only people on our tour. We were welcomed by Charles - an absolute delight. He was so welcoming and took time to fuss over our two year old. The house was stunning but be far the star if the show were the gardens. A really hidden gem. My inlaws are NT members so have visited many houses & gardens but even they had to admit these were something special. Add to that the knowledge that this house is not a mothballed house remembering its glory days but a house that emnates modern history from every brick. The photographs are beautiful and you can't help but think about the conversations that must have echoed round the walls. Even if that doesn't interest you, you can not help but be amazed by the beauty of the gardens. Go lose yourself for a few hours you won't regret it.

Aghalee

Over the last two months, I have brought two groups to visit Hillsborough Castle as part of my WorldHost Customer Service Programme. The tours last about an hour and you are shown around the property by official tour guides who were very pleasant as well as telling stories about various aspects of the castle and its contents. With the family photographs in the drawing room, you get a very strong feeling that this is just like a family sitting room although the head of the household is actually the Queen herself.We were warmly welcomed at the gate by the security team and I would definitely hope to bring another group here over the summer.