Of all the villages in Northern Ireland, Hillsborough is probably my favourite and I have plenty of reasons why. For my list of reasons, I created a previous blog to highlight them all HERE.

It is a place that has always felt special to me. In fact, we loved it so much that we lived here for a time, and whenever we travel home to Northern Ireland, Hillsborough is somewhere we always make a point of returning to every year. There’s just something magical about the village that keeps drawing us back.

Located in County Down, around 20 minutes from Belfast, Hillsborough is a beautiful historic village filled with Georgian architecture, charming streets, independent cafés and shops, and the stunning surroundings of Hillsborough Castle.

The castle and its 100 acres of gardens are at the heart of the village’s appeal. There are woodland walks, a lake, formal gardens and beautiful mature trees, making it somewhere you can easily spend hours exploring.

Hillsborough also has a fascinating history. The Hill family established themselves here in the 17th century, with Hillsborough Fort dating back to the 1650s. The magnificent Hillsborough Castle was built in the 18th century and later became an important royal and government residence. It has hosted many significant visitors and was the location for the signing of the Anglo-Irish Agreement in 1985.

In 2021, Hillsborough was granted royal status, becoming Royal Hillsborough, the first village or town in Northern Ireland to receive the honour.

However, for me, it’s not just the history or the royal connection that makes Hillsborough special. It’s the atmosphere. The beautiful buildings, green spaces, quiet streets and surrounding countryside create somewhere that feels both elegant and welcoming.

Royal Hillsborough isn’t simply somewhere I enjoy visiting, it’s a place that feels like home, and one of those rare places that never seems to lose its magic.