Guides for Brides logo
Fairs & Events Planning Tools

Hillsborough Castle Wedding Venue

Northern Ireland's Royal Residence, a Georgian mansion with stunning gardens.

County Down, Royal Hillsborough

£3,000 - £10,000

120 guests

Situated in 100 acres of stunning gardens

A working Royal residence that's always dressed to impress

Flexibility to create your very own bespoke wedding marquee venue in the castle's gardens

A small but passionate team of event professionals who are dedicated to your vision

Prices & Key Facts

Prices

Price Band: ££ - £££

Typical Price: £6,000

Price Range: £3,000 - £10,000

Based on a typical wedding reception for 80 guests, including venue hire, wedding breakfast, drinks package and evening buffet.

Hire Price Range: £3,000 - £10,000

Capacity

Guests for a ceremony: 120

Guest Capacity (min/max): 2 / 120

Guests for sit down meal: 2 - 80

Space for more? (e.g. marquee): Yes

 

About Hillsborough Castle

Hillsborough Castle & Gardens is the residence of the Royal Family in Northern Ireland and, throughout the years, has played host to monarchs, minsters, presidents and princesses.

It’s our privilege to offer you this elegant Georgian home along with its stunning 100 acres of landscaped gardens as the backdrop for your unforgettable wedding day. Elegant, yet relaxed. Graceful and intimate – it’s a magical venue located just 20 minutes from Belfast.

The opulent state rooms and formal gardens are available throughout the year and provide a perfect backdrop for both intimate and large-scale wedding celebrations.

You'll receive:
• A personal service from a dedicated member of our events team, supporting you in every aspect of your booking - before, during and after your special day.
• Complete exclusivity of the venue - we want to give you our full attention and dedication and promise that no other private functions will take place on your special day.
• Use of Hillsborough Castle’s banqueting tables and chairs (in-castle events only)
• Wardens to assist on the day with guest car parking and security
• Endless photo opportunities! Both the castle and gardens offer a stunning back-drop for your photography

Historic Royal Palaces is the independent charity that looks after the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, the Banqueting House, Kensington Palace, Kew Palace and Hillsborough Castle. Hosting your wedding here means you're contributing to the upkeep and protection of this beautiful and important building.

The Details

Type of Ceremony

Civil ceremony licensed

Humanist / Celebrant weddings

Outdoor Ceremonies

Receptions Only

Venue Setting

Countryside

Town

Venue Type

Castles & Palaces

Country House

Manor House

Land For Hire

Unique & Unusual

Other

Mansion

Additional Facilities

Outdoor ceremonies

Orangery Or Marquee

Live music permitted

Wedding coordinator

Onsite car parking

One wedding per day

Bespoke weddings

Bridal Dressing Room

Catering Options

Outside Caterers Permitted

Pre-approved Caterers Only

Vegan

Contact & Location

Hillsborough Castle

The Square, Main Street, Royal Hillsborough, BT26 6AG, County Down, United Kingdom

FAQs

Absolutely! We guarantee no other weddings or private events will take place at the same time as your own. This ensures you and your guests get our undivided attention on your special day.

Yes. Our Throne Room, Red Room and State Dining Room are available for ceremonies and are licensed for civil marriage and partnership ceremonies.

Absolutely! We have two stunning licensed locations in our gardens that offer beautiful, scenic settings during the warmer months of the year.

We (Historic Royal Palaces) do not charge corkage fees for supplying your own drinks, though a couple of our approved catering suppliers do. Please check when contacting them for a quote.

You will have a choice of high-quality caterers from our list of local, approved catering companies.

For in-castle (non-dancing receptions) the latest finishing time is 23:00. Marquee-based celebrations can continue on until midnight. Extensions are possible for an additional fee.

As Hillsborough Castle is a listed building and located within close proximity to private homes, we do not permit the use of fireworks or Chinese Lanterns out of respect for our neighbours.

Biodegradable confetti may be thrown in outside locations only.

Real-flame candles are permitted in marquees only so long as the flames are encased (e.g. in a lantern or holder that shields the naked flame).

Yes, we have a bedroom suite available for the wedding couple. Please contact us for more information.

Yes, there are a number of accommodation providers in and around the local area. Please contact us for more information.

Our Sustainability Commitments

Our sustainability strategy sets out our commitment to make a positive impact through our environmental sustainability performance. It covers several key themes where we can make the biggest difference to the environment and our customers. HRP are also committed to achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2050 (with some offsetting). It includes: • Reducing our overall energy consumption • Considering the use of energy-efficient resources including renewable energy systems • Maximising reuse and recycling in all of our waste streams • Reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) and other harmful emissions • Reducing our water consumption • Maintaining the HRP grounds and buildings in an environmentally sensitive way • Embedding good sustainable procurement practice Further information on our sustainability strategy and performance can be viewed on our website.