Hillsborough (Northern Ireland)

Hillsborough is a village historically in County Down in Northern Ireland, but nowadays part of Lisburn and Castlereagh District. It's an attractive Georgian village dominated by Hillsborough Castle, the official residence of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and of the King whenever here. It's only 12 miles from Belfast so it's become a commuter town, with a population in 2011 of just under 4,000.

Visitor information centre
The tourist information centre is in the old Courthouse in the village square, open M-Sa 9:30AM-5:30PM, Su 11AM-4PM.

Get in
Goldline Bus 238 runs hourly from Belfast Europa bus station via Sprucefield retail park (south edge of Lisburn) to Hillsborough (20 min), and continues to Dromore, Banbridge and Newry, which has buses and trains from Dublin.

Ulsterbus 538 runs hourly from Belfast via Dunmurry, Lisburn and Sprucefield, taking just under an hour to Hillsborough, and continuing to Dromore, Banbridge and Newry.

Bus 26 trundles cross-country three times M-F from Newcastle via Dundrum and Ballynahinch to Hillsborough, continuing to Lisburn.

Lisburn 4 miles north is the closest railway station, with frequent trains on the Bangor-Belfast-Lisburn-Portadown line. By road follow A1.

Get around
The village sights are easily reached on foot. Take the Newry bus for Dromore.

See

 * Hillsborough Courthouse on The Square is a stout Georgian building that now houses the TIC. There's also a display on the court in the 18th and 19th centuries, free.
 * Hillsborough Courthouse on The Square is a stout Georgian building that now houses the TIC. There's also a display on the court in the 18th and 19th centuries, free.
 * The monument south edge of the village (resembling Nelson's Column in London) is to the 3rd Marquess of Downshire (1788-1855), a strong supporter of Irish language and culture.
 * is a village 5 miles southwest of Hillsborough. The Cathedral (Church of Ireland) was built in 1660 and extended in the 19th century. The River Lagan flows beneath an impressive viaduct and through the bosky town park; east downstream it's overlooked by a Norman motte and bailey.
 * is a village 5 miles southwest of Hillsborough. The Cathedral (Church of Ireland) was built in 1660 and extended in the 19th century. The River Lagan flows beneath an impressive viaduct and through the bosky town park; east downstream it's overlooked by a Norman motte and bailey.
 * is a village 5 miles southwest of Hillsborough. The Cathedral (Church of Ireland) was built in 1660 and extended in the 19th century. The River Lagan flows beneath an impressive viaduct and through the bosky town park; east downstream it's overlooked by a Norman motte and bailey.

Do

 * Golf: see Lisburn for Lisburn Golf Club and Down Royal Park Golf Club.

Buy

 * Spar and Co-op Food are the convenience stores in village centre, both open daily.
 * For a big shop head to Sprucefield retail park, 3 miles northeast on the edge of Lisburn.

Drink

 * Plough Inn and The Parson's Nose are village centre pubs with good food.

Sleep

 * Premier Inn is at M1 Sprucefield junction, 3 miles northeast of the village, see Lisburn.
 * Premier Inn is at M1 Sprucefield junction, 3 miles northeast of the village, see Lisburn.
 * Premier Inn is at M1 Sprucefield junction, 3 miles northeast of the village, see Lisburn.

Connect
As of Oct 2021, Hillsborough has 4G from all UK carriers. 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

 * Lisburn is was where Ireland's modern linen trade was founded, as depicted in its museum.
 * Lurgan and Portadown are industrial commuter towns but have access to Lough Neagh.