Wander through 100 acres of beautiful gardens which have been developed from the 1780. Discover the contrast of ornamental grounds and peaceful woodland, meandering waterways and trimmed lawns. Explore the Lime Tree Walk, Granville Garden, the Lady Alice Temple, the Quaker Burial ground and an Ice House. Imagine the gardens in different times as you walk through the Walled Garden, dating back to the 18th Century. This is a large, four-acre site historically used to produce fruit, vegetables and flowers for the house. As part of the Hillsborough Castle Project in 2018, the gardens have been restored to create a beautiful working and productive garden. See the renovations complete with dipping pond, crop rotations, seasonal produce, potting sheds, herbaceous borders and an apple orchard.

Day 1 You leave Belfast and travel north following the winding and magnificent Causeway Coastal Route. A truly sensational experience, the journey takes you past craggy cliffs, ruined castles and through the sweeping Glens of Antrim, an official Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The crowning glory of this coastal drive is the awe-inspiring Giant’s Causeway, a place where history and myth collide spectacularly with raw geological power. Waving farewell to the giant’s steps, you head on to see another spot of rare beauty, the Dark Hedges. This haunting beech avenue was planted by the Stuart family in the 18th century to impress the visitors approaching their mansion. Since then, the Dark Hedges have impressed millions of travellers, photographers, and fans of Game of Thrones. Reinvigorated by the sea air and the mind-blowing scenery, you arrive in Portrush in the late afternoon where you stay for the night. Day 2 You say farewell to the coastal charms and head to Derry/Londonderry. From the almost intact historic walls to the murals commemorating the more recent troubled past, this city is steeped in history. And it’s also quickly becoming one of the most important artistic and cultural hubs in Northern Ireland. You’ve got free time to explore Derry for yourself or you can join an optional walking tour. Next, you travel to the Ulster American Folk Park, where you can discover the story of emigration from Ulster to North America in the 18th and 19th centuries. Learn about the hardships these bold people had to face and the impact they made in the new land. In the late afternoon, you travel to Enniskillen, a small island town and your overnight base. Enjoy an evening stroll around this lovely area or discover the famous Irish charm as you chat with the locals in a cosy pub. Day 3 In the morning, you can decide to explore Enniskillen a bit more. You may visit its many galleries and craft shops, explore the 15th-century castle, or see the beautiful Lough Erne on an optional cruise (subject to season and availability). Then, you say farewell to the lovely island town and head east through County Armagh, Ireland’s Orchard County, to the ecclesiastical city of Armagh. This city loves St Patrick so much it boasts two cathedrals dedicated to him. They also love their Bramley apple, so make sure to try local ciders and the legendary Irish Black Butter. The last stop of your tour is Hillsborough Castle with its stunning gardens. Here, you get to discover ornamental grounds, tranquil woodlands, and charming glens that have been a joy to the Royal Family and thousands of visitors. If you fancy, you can choose to explore the beautiful state rooms of the castle and find out more about its fascinating history (tickets subject to availability). From here it’s just a short journey back to Belfast.

Day 1 You leave Belfast and travel to Hillsborough Castle and its stunning gardens. Here, you get to discover ornamental grounds, tranquil woodlands, and charming glens. Then the journey takes you to the city of Armagh in County Armagh, Ireland’s Orchard County. This city loves St Patrick so much it boasts two cathedrals dedicated to him. They also love their Bramley apple, so make sure to try local ciders and the legendary Irish Black Butter. Next, heading for the border past Lower Lough Erne, the landscape will get more rugged as you cross into the beat bogs and Hills of County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland. You will stay overnight in the town of Donegal, a popular foodie destination lined with cosy pubs filled with traditional music. Day 2 First are the Slieve League Cliffs, among the highest in Europe, that tumble down 600 metres to the unrestrained ocean and are steeped in legends. The landscape continues to get wilder as you travel through the sparsely populated Irish-speaking communities to Glencolomcille. Taking a break from the coastal delights, the route takes you through a striking mountain pass at Glengesh to the picturesque village of Ardara for lunch. You continue to explore the Wild Atlantic Way, before travelling through the impressive Glenveagh National Park. In the early evening, you arrive in Letterkenny, a vibrant town full of history and great traditional bars, where you spend two nights. Day 3 Leaving Letterkenny, you head straight for Fort Dunree. This strategic clifftop fort is now also home to a military museum. From here you travel along Mamore Gap, one of the most scenic drives in Ireland. Next up, you make your way to the lovely little town of Carndonagh for lunch. This market town boasts loads of pubs and restaurants, not to mention it’s the site of the ancient Donagh Cross or St Patrick’s Cross. After, it's time to make your way up to Malin Head. With its wild and rugged coastline, this northern-most point of Ireland feels out of this world, so no wonder it was used as a filming location for Star Wars VIII: The Last Jedi. Your adventure continues to Grianan of Aileach. This peculiar hilltop fort dates back to 1700 BC and has some breathtaking views. Day 4 Today you travel back into Northern Ireland to admire the beauty of Downhill, a prominent stop on the Causeway Coastal Route. Take a stroll along Downhill beach before you pop up to see Mussenden Temple perched right on the cliff’s edge. This 18th-century temple was originally built to house the eccentric Earl Bishop’s library and is now one of the most photographed places in Ireland and a Game of Thrones location. Our next stop is at the seaside village of Castlerock for a well-deserved lunch break. No trip to Ireland is complete without a bit of whiskey, so you head off next for Old Bushmills Distillery, the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery. With this delicious whiskey warming your insides, it’s time to head back to Belfast.