Welcome to Be our guest ’s on a guided tour Explorer working royal residence of the Join a guided tour and Start your journey of discovery with a visit find out what it’s like to be to the castle. An elegant ‘Irish Big House’ a guest in a working royal Map built by Wills Hill the 1st Marquess of residence in the company Downshire, Hillsborough Castle was first of our expert guides. established in the 1750s. Discover stories of celebration, entertainment, In 1925, the castle was sold to the British diplomacy and negotiation as you enjoy a Government becoming Government House, 45-minute tour of Hillsborough Castle’s the seat of the Governor of Northern Ireland Explore fascinating history and stunning State Rooms. and the residence of the monarch here. stunning gardens that Book your place today The castle’s original name was restored in 1972 when it became of the surround the castle Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Today you can experience the majestic State Rooms filled with glorious Lose yourself in 100 acres of formal and Become a member artworks from the Royal Collection picturesque gardens, including the newly as part of a guided tour. restored Walled Garden. Membership entitles you to Upgrade your ticket to Venture into the recently revealed Lost Garden unlimited adventures at membership by asking with its exotic planting or step into the fragrant all of our palaces, 10% off a member of staff or rose garden laid out by Lady Granville, wife of in our shops and cafes, by visiting our website: the second Governor and aunt to HM The Queen. and access to a range of exclusive member events. hrp.org.uk/membership And why not take a walk around the tranquil lake with its abundance of wildlife and waterfowl. hrp.org.uk

Registered charity (no. 1068852) HCG MAP V1 04.2019 Gardens and estate highlights Court House and Fort 16 17 Hillsborough’s 18th century court house sits in The Square on an elegant axis Enjoy your visit Lady Alice’s Temple 7 with the castle and fort. This delightful garden feature is Visit the Stable Yard Tea Room for Built to protect the road leading from named after Lady Alice Hill, daughter light snacks and drinks or enjoy a more Carrickfergus to , the fort has of the 4th Marquess of Downshire. substantial meal in the Hillsborough been a place of power, play and Castle Café at the Weston Pavilion. A beloved only daughter, the elegant Yew Tree Walk 3 10 pleasure for more than 400 years. Alice regularly featured in the When the gardens at Hillsborough VIsit our shops in the Stable Yard and society and fashion pages of the were enlarged in the 1830s, part of Weston Pavilion to browse our beautiful national press and a loyal tenant the town was moved and the old range of Hillsborough inspired gifts. described her as a ‘universal Moira Road was closed. It is now and deserved favourite’. known as Yew Tree Walk after the Stay in touch paired Irish Yew trees that line its path. With many exciting events planned, there are lots of reasons to come back Moss Walk to Hillsborough Castle and Gardens. Hillsborough was originally known as Keep up with all the latest news and ‘Cromlyn’ (Gaelic for crooked glen) sign up to our e-newsletter: and the site of its old church and hrp.org.uk/hillsborough-castle graveyard can be found at the end of Moss Walk. Lined with 150-year old lime trees, this magnificent moss Share your experience online carpet is very fragile. Please help and follow us here us preserve its unique ecosystem by using the adjoining paths. Hillsborough Castle Glen and Pinetum 9 13 @HillsCastle The 3rd Marquess created the romantic Hydro House and Ice House 12 14 Glen complete with its Giant’s Causeway Over the centuries Hillsborough’s @historicroyalpalaces relics and the magnificent grove of residents have found ingenious ways firs, called a pinetum. The oldest tree to harness nature for their own in the collection is a Monterey Pine convenience. Explore the atmospheric planted by Wills Hill, first Marquess Ice House and the recently restored of Downshire, in the 1770s. Hydro House to discover how water can be used to provide refrigeration and power all year round. 17 Hillsborough Fort Hillsborough Parish What to see Explore Church Inside the gardens 1 Hillsborough Castle entrance 2 Granville Garden Hillsborough 3 Yew Tree Walk Castle and Gardens 4 Willow House Encounter fascinating stories 5 Friends Burial Ground and moments of discovery 6 Lost Garden around every corner 7 Lady Alice’s Temple 8 The Gardens’ Summer House 9 Glen Stable Yard 10 Moss Walk Clore Learning Centre Enter here for Hillsborough Fort 11 Walled Garden 12 Hydro House 13 Pinetum 16 14 The Ice House Lake Entrance/exit 15 from the town

15 1 Castle entrance In the town 16 Hillsborough Court House Gas Works Meadow 17 Hillsborough Fort

Carriage Ride

For your safety 14 2 Please take care when visiting 3 the gardens. There is danger of deep open water, steps and 13 steep drops (especially near the 4 Lake and by Lady Alice’s pond). Children must be supervised 5 6 at all times. 12 9 Accessibility Due to the natural terrain of the Coronation Meadow gardens, the majority of paths are unsuitable for wheelchair users and those with restricted mobility. Some paths have uneven steps 10 and slopes which may become Temporary path slippery in wet weather. 7 Please ask a member of staff for more information or our Access guide. 8 Step-free routes Main entrance The main step-free route runs from A1 from the Walled Garden to the Pineapple Yard Castle entrance and is marked on the map in orange. Where to find 11 Other step-free routes and ramps are provided across the site. Hillsborough Toilets Castle Café Mobility transport Stable Yard Baby change Moss Walk A transport service operates on Tea Room 10 Changing Please help us preserve Carriage Ride for those needing Shops Places toilet the natural beauty and assistance to get from the lower unique ecosystem of Moss Walk entrance to the castle. Transport Information Step-free route by using the nearby gravel paths. stops are marked on the map. Entrance/exit Buggy Park Mobility ∂ from the Car Park For your safety and security CCTV and lockers Transport stop Weston Pavilion is in use on site. Call 028 9268 1300 How far to walk? 3 mins First aid Car Park for more information. Design by ALL Creative Branding / Collage illustration by Martin O’Neill / Map illusrration by John See 0 50 100 150 200m