How to get toHillsborough Castle and Gardenscar-free
Visit Hillsborough Castle and Gardens car-free
Travel a greener way for 20% off.
It’s easy to visit Hillsborough Castle car-free as buses stop almost outside.
The castle’s pedestrian entrance is located in Royal Hillsborough village centre.
Buses run to Royal Hillsborough from: Lisburn (10 mins), Belfast (20 mins) and Newry (50 mins).
Trains run to Lisburn from all stations between: Belfast (25 mins) and Portadown (20 mins). You will then need to change at Lisburn for the bus to Royal Hillsborough village.
Plan your journey:
Check out our recommended route (below) for train, bus and walking routes.
Use the journey planner on the Translink website or app, with the postcode BT26 6AG.
Google Maps did not recognise the pedestrian entrance at the time of writing.
Discount: Travel to Hillsborough Castle by bus and receive a 20% discount. Upon arrival at the ticket office, simply show evidence of your same-day journey by Translink bus (a valid Translink bus ticket/receipt, smartcard/smartpass or mLink app ticket) and quote ‘HCG Good Journey’ to receive your discount on a combined Castle and Gardens ticket or a Gardens-only ticket.
Discount terms and conditions:
- – 20% discount applies to adult, child and concession tickets.
- – The discount applies to either a combined Castle and Gardens ticket or a Gardens-only ticket. If the visit slot is full at the time of arrival due to necessary capacity limits, the visitor(s) will need to wait until the next available slot.
- – Tickets cannot be pre-booked and must be purchased from the ticket desk upon arrival at Hillsborough Castle. Proof of travel to Hillsborough on the same day via Translink bus must be shown to access the discount. This evidence can be provided through presenting a valid Translink bus ticket/receipt, smartcard/smartpass or mLink app ticket. You do not need to surrender your Translink ticket.
- – The discount is only applicable to tickets booked by individuals, and does not apply to groups or travel trade bookings.
- – The offer is not applicable alongside any other offers, discounts or Universal Credit tickets.
- – Exclusions apply.
For more money-saving tips see our handy guides to UK trains and buses. Northern Ireland has a range of tickets and travel cards and special offers. (Note that Hillsborough Castle is outside the area for the Belfast Visitor Pass).
View edges of the Lagan Valley on the smooth 238 Goldliner bus ride along the M1 and A1 from Belfast.
Kids’ activities at Hillsborough Castle include the Imaginary Menagerie garden play trail and seasonal events. On your journey you might like to try some train colouring sheets.
The bus stops are in the well-lit Georgian village centre, which has a play park and public toilets.
Bike racks at Hillsborough Castle can be found at the Pineapple Yard by the Visitor Centre entrance, near the main car-park. From Royal Hillsborough village, go south on the Dromore Road, then right into Moira Road. At the bottom of Moira Road, there’s a brown gate on the right, which leads to the car-park.
In Royal Hillsborough village, there are signposts with cycle hoops in Park Lane and Main Street. There are also cycle racks in Hillsborough Forest Park.
Walking and sightseeing guides can be downloaded for Royal Hillsborough village and Hillsborough Castle. For a longer trek, you could also try the OS Map or village walk instructions.
Taxis should be booked ahead to wait at Lisburn train station car-park. Fonacab is based in Lisburn – 02890333333 and Borough is based in Royal Hillsborough – 07710806515.
Find accessibility information for buses and trains or Hillsborough Castle. Lisburn train station is listed as ‘category 2‘ for accessibility.
Discover more UK offers and days out with Good Journey, including another Historic Royal Palace: Hampton Court Palace in London.
Getting to Hillsborough Castle and Gardens car-free
Here's our recommended route to Hillsborough Castle and Gardens.
By bus from Belfast
Buses 238 and 538 stop very close to Hillsborough Castle.
Bus 238 Goldliner leaves from Belfast Grand Central Station Stand 5 frequently (regularly at weekends). The journey takes about 20 minutes.
Bus 538 leaves from Great Northern Mall stop 2 a few times per day. The journey takes about 45 minutes. The bus runs along:
- Bradbury Place near Botanic and the university (40 mins)
- All stops by the Lisburn Road shops toward Balmoral (30 mins)
- Upper Lisburn Road through Finaghy and Taughmonagh (30 mins)
- Kingsway near Seymour Hill and Dunmurry (30 mins).
Jump off immediately after the Royal Hillsborough War Memorial. Keep walking in the same direction, and turn right at The Square for the pedestrian entrance.
By bus from Lisburn
Buses stop very close to Hillsborough Castle. Buses leave from:
Lisburn bus station in the city centre (daily bus 538, 6-day bus 325g [not Sundays], weekday bus 26b, 10 mins), as well as:
Jump off bus 538 or bus 238 at the Royal Hillsborough War Memorial (and park) bus shelters. Keep walking in the same direction, and turn right at The Square for the pedestrian entrance.
Alternatively, jump off bus 325g or bus 26b at Arthur Street bus stop signs. This is immediately after the bus takes a sharp corner at a red building in Royal Hillsborough village centre. Walk back along Ballynahinch Street. Continue along Main Street past the war memorial, and turn right at The Square for the pedestrian entrance.
By bus from Newry
Bus 238 Goldliner leaves from Newry bus station (50 mins) Banbridge bus station (50 mins) and Dromore Square (10 mins) frequently (regularly at weekends).
Jump off at the Royal Hillsborough War Memorial (and park) bus shelters. Next, walk back the way the bus came from, and turn right at The Square for the pedestrian entrance.
From further afield via Lisburn
There are direct trains to Lisburn (or Hilden) on the Portadown Line from:
- Balmoral (15 mins), Belfast Grand Central (25 mins) and Portadown (20 mins).
- Change at Portadown from: Drogheda (60 mins), Dublin Connolly (100 mins), Dundalk (40 mins) and Newry (20 mins).
Buses run to Lisburn from Moira and Maghaberry.
It’s then a 10-minute walk from Lisburn train station to Lisburn bus station through the city centre.
- Exit the train station, crossing Bachelors Walk at the pelican crossing.
- Turn right and then left onto Graham Gardens.
- Walk under the entrance to the pedestrian shopping area, turning right.
- Turn left into the Haslem’s Lane tunnel.
- The bus station is just across the car-park to the right.
Daily bus 538, 6-day bus 325g (none on Sundays) and weekday bus 26b leave from Lisburn bus station in the city centre.
Jump off bus 538 at the Royal Hillsborough War Memorial (and park) bus shelters. Keep walking in the same direction, and turn right at The Square for the pedestrian entrance.
Alternatively, jump off bus 325g or bus 26b at Arthur Street bus stop signs. This is immediately after the bus takes a sharp corner at a red building in Royal Hillsden village centre. Walk back along Ballynahinch Street. Continue along Main Street past the war memorial, and turn right at The Square for the pedestrian entrance.
From further afield via Belfast
There are direct trains to Belfast Grand Central (which replaced Great Victoria Street) from:
- Antrim (35 mins), Ballymena (50 mins), Bangor (45 mins), Botanic (5 mins), Coleraine (90 mins), Derry/Londonderry (2 hrs), Lanyon Place (10 mins), Larne Harbour (65 mins) and York street (15 mins).
- Change at Coleraine from Portrush (10 mins).
Buses run to Belfast from far and wide. Find services on these bus maps.
Bus 238 Goldliner leaves from Belfast Grand Central Station Stand 5 frequently (regularly at weekends). The journey takes about 20 minutes.
Jump off at the Royal Hillsborough War Memorial (and park). Keep walking in the same direction, and turn right at The Square for the pedestrian entrance.
About Hillsborough Castle and Gardens
Hillsborough Castle and Gardens is one of Northern Ireland’s most spectacular gardens. With 100 acres of ornamental gardens, meandering waterways, woodlands and peaceful glens, this is the perfect location for a tranquil walk.
Children will love running free on the play trail and meeting the local wildlife that call Hillsborough their home – from woodland creatures to lakeside dwellers. Don’t miss out on seasonal events, from a family-friendly Easter hunt to Halloween adventures and festive magic.
Upgrade your visit to step inside the castle, and discover Northern Ireland’s only royal residence, still in use today. This elegant Georgian house has played host to significant moments in British and Irish history, including as the setting of the Good Friday Agreement.
Indulge in a mouthwatering lunch, tasty treats, or the famous Sunday lunch at the on-site café. Then make sure to visit the picturesque village of Royal Hillsborough, with its beautiful architecture, independent shops, and fireside pubs.
For any queries about visiting contact Hillsborough Castle and Gardens on 028 926 81300 or [email protected]
Address: Hillsborough Castle, 1-5 The Square, Royal Hillsborough, County Down, BT26 6AG. Visit Website