Hillsborough Castle and Gardens looks ahead to 'landmark year' in 2026 as it reinforces its place as leading tourism destination
Hillsborough Castle and Gardens has announced a vibrant 2026 programme featuring new openings, family adventures and seasonal spectacles which reinforces its place as one of Ireland’s leading tourism destinations.
From stunning gardens to a major US anniversary and a riotous Beano takeover, a lively year awaits – all played out across the estate’s 100 acres of gardens, parkland and ornamental woodland.
Managed by the independent charity Historic Royal Palaces, Hillsborough Castle and Gardens offers historic interiors, immersive experiences, beautifully tended landscapes and a year-round imaginative programme that come together to bring people of all ages closer to the stories and culture that shape this remarkable place.
The 2026 programme celebrates Hillsborough Castle and Gardens’ local, national and international connections. Highlights range from splendid seasonal gardens, to displays exploring transatlantic ties and playful family trails that bring the estate’s history to life.
The year will commence with the arrival of new Head of Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, Caroline Walker, who joins in January 2026 to lead the site into this next phase of growth, engagement and cultural ambition.
One of the highlights of the year will be a celebration of Hillsborough Castle and Gardens’ connections with the United States which in 2026 marks 250 years since the Declaration of Independence.
Hillsborough Castle and Gardens has long played a role in US – Northern Ireland relations, hosting distinguished visitors such as Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, and serving as the backdrop for conversations that have supported peace and partnership. Less known is its link to America’s independence story: in 1771, US founding father Benjamin Franklin met with Secretary of State for the Colonies, Wills Hill— the man who built the castle —to discuss American affairs. Their cordial dialogue over five days later soured when Hill blamed Franklin for his political downfall.
To mark America 250, Hillsborough Castle and Gardens will present a curated display of related letters, portraits, and artefacts, along with the return of the popular American History tour.
The NI Science Festival (February 14-19) returns to the castle offering hands-on workshops, talks and behind-the-scenes experiences that bring science, nature and heritage to life, including an in-conversation event with Dick Strawbridge.
Bulbs & Blooms (March 14 - May 4) will see the return of Hillsborough’s 100-acre gardens filled with an abundance of colour as hundreds of thousands of bulbs bloom across beds, pots, and barrels. Visitors can expect vibrant tulips, fragrant hyacinths and a showcase of Northern Irish daffodil varieties, transforming the estate into a breathtaking celebration of spring and marking a vibrant start to the year.
During Easter, families can enjoy the Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt (March 28 – April 12).
On March 25, Historic Royal Palaces will announce the Northern Ireland winner of the Inspiring History Teaching Awards, a new initiative celebrating educators who make history engaging, inclusive, and unforgettable for young people across the UK. In Northern Ireland, the awards are supported by the Historical Association, the Association of Independent Museums, National Museums NI, and the History Teachers’ Association of Northern Ireland.
Summer 2026 brings a riotous new adventure at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens from June 27 - August 31 when families can dive into 100 acres of time-travel trouble as Dennis, Minnie, Harsha, Rubi and Gnasher from Beano find themselves stranded in history as their bonkers go-kart time machine goes haywire, scattering its vital pieces across the historic gardens of Hillsborough Castle! Armed with a bespoke comic strip story,
Beano fans of all ages will track down the six missing go-kart time machine parts on a trail through the Castle gardens and meet larger-than-life characters from Hillsborough’s history — from daring pranksters to music makers and world-famous inventors.
The arrival of autumn 2026 will bring a season of splendour to Hillsborough Castle and Gardens when visitors can look forward to walks around the gardens transformed by autumnal colours, seasonal trails, and engaging experiences for all ages. From family-friendly activities to immersive opportunities that bring the estate’s history and landscapes to life, full details of the 2026 autumn programme will be shared later in the year.
Details of the 2026 Christmas experience will be revealed later in the year, building on the success of previous winter partnerships - including The Snowman™ and The Snowdog - which has transformed the gardens into a sparkling, story-led adventure in 2025.
Nicola Andrews, Palaces Group Director at Historic Royal Palaces, said: “2026 will be a landmark year for Hillsborough Castle and Gardens. From spectacular garden displays and imaginative family adventures to new, fresh ways of exploring our transatlantic stories. we’re expanding what this special place can offer.
"Our aim is to welcome more people than ever before to connect with the history, landscapes and experiences that make Hillsborough so unique.”
Built in the 1750s as the family home of the Hills - the founders of the village of Hillsborough - the estate grew into an influential political and social hub, hosting statesmen, writers, thinkers and travellers drawn to its Georgian architecture and landscaped grounds. Over the centuries, the Castle has been a backdrop to pivotal moments in Irish and British history, from early parliamentary life to the conversations and agreements that shaped the modern peace process of Northern Ireland.
In 2014, Historic Royal Palaces took over the running of Hillsborough Castle and Gardens and began an ambitious project to restore the house and gardens to their former glory, marking a new era for the estate as a dynamic, accessible destination for domestic and international visitors. Since then, Hillsborough Castle and Gardens has offered a series of magical experiences for families: from collaborations with Peter Rabbit and Disney Winnie the Pooh, to chocolate-themed trails with Lindt and festive adventures like The Snowman™ and The Snowdog.
These events, alongside interactive trails, tours, talks and creative workshops, reflect Hillsborough’s commitment to making the estate engaging, immersive, and enjoyable for all.