Fodor's Expert Review Hillsborough Castle and Gardens

This Georgian palace—the only royal residence in Ireland and that for 50 years was the official home of the governor of Northern Ireland—opened its doors to the public for the first time in 2015, and has since become a leading attraction involving a £24 million investment. It was built in the 1770s by Wills Hill, the 1st Marquess of Downshire, Ireland's largest landowner and secretary of the American colonies. Benjamin Franklin's five-day stay here is said to have contributed directly to the American War of Independence, such was the animosity between Franklin and Hill. Other visits included that of President George W. Bush and the historic meeting in 2005 between the Queen and Mary McAleese, then president of Ireland. The building was the location for talks during the 1985 Anglo-Irish Agreement and the more recent Northern Ireland peace process, and is still the current home of the secretary of state for Northern Ireland. On busy days up to four guided 45-minute castle tours are held hourly from 10 am to 4 pm. Visitors are brought through eight elegant state rooms, still used by the royal family, including the throne room, which comes with three magnificent Dublin teardrop crystal chandeliers and graceful drawing room where paintings from Irish artists including Derek Hill, James Dixon, David Crone, and Gareth Reid are on display. A highlight of the red room is 40 Henry Bone miniature portraits of sovereigns and their consorts; these small, exquisite, enamel-on-copper paintings were commissioned by Prince Albert in 1843. Look out, too, for impressive royal portraits and paintings by Old Masters such as Gainsborough and Van Dyck. Separate guided tours focusing on art, politics, royalty, and gender identity are also held on selected dates. The Hillsborough Castle café opened in 2019, which means that for the first time in the castle's 250-year history the public can enjoy snacks, lunches, or afternoon tea (£29.95) in royal surroundings. From the visitor center to the main house, where the Stable Yard Tea Room opens in the spring and summer, it is a 15-minute walk, although a shuttle bus also operates.

Explore the 100 acres of beautiful gardens, tended by 17 full-time gardeners, by following signposts through peaceful woods, waterways, and neatly manicured lawns. It is worth taking time to wander around the walled garden or Pinetum and take the yew tree walk to Lady Alice's Temple. Be aware that some of the paths have steps and steep slopes which are slippery in wet weather.

If time permits after your castle visit, you can stroll around or join a guided walking tour of the town. An attractive place with Georgian architecture, Hillsborough boasts a fort dating from 1630, and an 18th-century church all cheek by jowl with boutiques, gift shops, and a selection of genteel cafés and gastropubs such as the Hillside, the Plough, and the Parson's Nose, all serving food at lunchtime and early evening. Details and times of the walking tours with qualified guides are available at Hillsborough Visitor Information Centre in the former courthouse in the Square right beside the entrance/exit to the castle from the town ( 028/9628–9717).