Located in Northern Ireland’s stunning CountyDown with some of the best Georgian architecture Ireland has to boast,Hillsborough is only 12 miles south of Belfast andis the ideal spot for a verdant rural break. With just a few thousand residents,Hillsborough promises a quiet stay, while spoilingyou with scenic walks amidst stunning settings.
Steeped in heritage, historical Hillsboroughwas founded in the mid 17th century and is now a popular spotamongst food lovers. Spoil yourself with an assortment of gastro-pubs andquirky cafes, before you walk it off exploring historical architecture and theunspoilt countryside. This quaint town really guarantees you all the best that ruralNorthern Ireland has to offer.
Hillsborough’s History
Namedafter Sir Arthur Hill who built a fort here in 1650, Hillsboroughhas retained its historical name. While the prominent family who once lived herebecame the Marquises of Downshire, they remain an integral part of thevillage’s culture, evidenced by its architectural heritage and attractions. Forinstance, the column monument to the 3rd Marquis of Downshire is a memorial somewhatreminiscent of Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square, but it is all the morestriking for being located in this sleepy Northern Irish village.
SeeHillsborough’s Georgian Architecture
Hillsborough’shistoric centre offers some breathtaking examples of historic, and particularlyGeorgian, architecture. St. Malachy’s Parish Church, for instance, presents a splendidspecimen of the 17th century style. Even the town’s touristinformation centre is located in an 18th century courthouse.However, the jewel in the crown is undoubtedly CastleHillsborough, a Georgian Mansion which, in fact, is still home to theBritish Royal family on their visits to Northern Ireland.Between April and September, visitors can tour its stately rooms freely andenjoy nearly 100 acres of spectacular gardens.
Placesto Eat in Hillsborough
Thegastro-pubs and inns close to Hillsborough villagecentre are known for their delectable menus and unparalleled hospitality. Seafoodfans may even wish to visit at the height of the summer, when Hillsboroughhosts an annual International Oyster Festival, attracting visitors from as faraway as Argentina, Russia and Japan. If you’re not a fan of oysters, the Festivalalso offers parachuting, boat racing – and of course, Guinness!
Makethe Most of the Hillsborough Countryside
Asany dedicated hiker knows, there’s nothing better than a country walk to buildup an appetite before a good pub lunch. For nature lovers, there are countless picturesquewalks in the area, catering for all levels of experience from the relaxedrambler to the hardened hiker. Hillsborough offerssome tough but rewarding climbs, or, if you fancy something gentler, you couldtake a calm walk around the Hillsborough Lake andPark which is rich with bird and wildlife.
VisitHillsborough Today
Ifyou’re hunting for a country getaway abundant with history, gastronomy and thebeautiful landscape of Northern Ireland’s County Down,then Hillsborough should definitely be on yourlist. Why not book a trip to today with Expedia?
