Top 5 Things to do in Royal Hillsborough

klöver haus is situated in Moira; not far from the picturesque Georgian village of Royal Hillsborough. in Northern Ireland which is located just outside Lisburn. Hillsborough was named after Sir Arthur Hill, who built Hillsborough Fort in 1650. The historic centre of the village contains significant amounts of Georgian architecture and is one of the prettiest villages in Northern Ireland. In 2021, the village was granted the prefix "Royal", thus officially becoming Royal Hillsborough.

Royal Hillsborough is home to interesting historic sites and also has a vibrant high street with boutique shops and restaurants. We've shortlisted the top 5 things to do when visiting Royal Hillsborough village...

1. Hillsborough Castle & Gardens

Hillsborough Castle is the official government residence in Northern Ireland. It is the residence of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the official residence of the Queen in Northern Ireland. Situated in the heart of the village, Hillsborough Castle & Gardens reopened to the public in the Spring of 2019 as part of Historic Royal Palaces' portfolio. It is a must see attraction for tourists and locals alike due to its beauty and history. There are regular tours of Hillsborough Castle where you can see the state rooms used by the Royal Family on stays in Northern Ireland. You can also discover the stunning Hillsborough Castle Gardens including the Walled Garden, Lady Alice's Temple, The Glen to Granville Garden, The Lake & Pinetum and The Jubilee Parterre & South Terrace. There is also an award-winning café where you can get stop for a bite to eat and enjoy the surroundings. For more information on visiting Hillsborough Castle & Gardens, click here.

2. Hillsborough Fort

Hillsborough Fort is situated in Hillsborough Forest Park and was built on the site of the old Magennes stronghold. The Fort was founded in 1630 by Peter Hill and was completed around 1650 by Colonel Arthur Hill. In 1837, Hillsborough Fort was used to celebrate the marriage of Lord Hillsborough, eldest son of the third Marquess, Arthur Hill. Approximately 4,000 guests attended the event, which was reported in the Ulster Times as a ‘fête…almost without parallel in the kingdom'. or more information on Hillsborough Fort click here.

3. Hillsborough Forest Park

Hillsborough Forest Park is situated within 150 acres of mixed woodlands and is a great place to go for a walk with the dog or family. There is a free car park at the entrance and you can enjoy a stroll around the carefully marked paths surrounding the lake. The grounds of Hillsborough Forest Park houses Hillsborough Fort, a beautiful 17th Century building which was founded by Peter Hill in 1630. For more information on Hillsborough Forest Park and how to access it, please click here, click here.

4. Sample the local Gastronomy

Hillsborough village is well-known for its eateries, pubs and boutique restaurants. If you are looking for a place to eat in Hillsborough whilst you are visiting, then you can choose from any of the following which are renowned for good food and local hospitality. With traditional Irish breakfasts as well as modern alternatives, the Owl & Pussycat is top of the list of local cafés. Menus feature fresh and seasonal ingredients. For a relaxed lunch or evening dining experience, Hillsborough's three pubs offer a range of different options. Situated at the top of the village in the square, The Plough Inn is a family owned pub and restaurant. Established in 1752, The Hillside is the village's oldest pub. At the bottom of the village on Lisburn Street, The Parson's Nose is a gastropub offering an à la carte menu as well as signature woodfired pizzas.

5. in klöver

in klöver is a local shop in the heart of Hillsborough village which champions the work of local Northern Irish artisans. in klöver stocks a wide range of artisan craft items from artwork and prints, jewellery handmade ceramics and pottery through to textiles, glass, cards and stationery. Situated in the heart of the village at 2-4 Ballynahinch Street, it is open Tuesday to Saturday and the perfect place to find handcrafted gifts. Click here to find out more or to shop in their online store.

We hope you enjoyed reading our top 5 things to do in Hillsborough!

You can also follow us on all of our klöver haus social media channels: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

Check out our original artwork here at klöver haus, click here.