Hillsborough Castle & Gardens

Hillsborough Castle is both a working government residence and a garden to explore. It is not a true castle but an 18th-century Georgian country house, and it is the official home of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the place where the royal family stay when they visit. Since 2014 it has been run by Historic Royal Palaces and opened to paying visitors, so you can see the house and walk the grounds that surround it.

The gardens and grounds are extensive, and they carry the marks of the house's history. Many of the trees were planted by residents and famous visitors over the years, including a tree planted in October 1925 by the Duke of Abercorn, the first Governor of Northern Ireland. Looking out for these commemorative trees is a good way to connect the garden with the events that have taken place here. The walled garden is one of the key areas to see, and the wider grounds offer space for a long walk around the estate.

Gardeners will enjoy seeing how a large historic estate is managed for both ceremony and public use, and how commemorative planting can record a place's history. The house is still used for official events, so parts of the site can be closed at short notice. Allow time to explore the village of Royal Hillsborough too, and check the official Historic Royal Palaces website before you go for current opening, tours and what is open in the gardens.