The drive winds up the eastern slope of Cave Hill, and then the castle appears — pale sandstone towers and turrets in the Scottish-baronial style, standing over the city with the whole of Belfast Lough spread out below. In front of it fall the terraced gardens, all clipped hedges and stone steps, and this is where the day begins for most families: with a hunt. Hidden through the gardens are nine cats — carved, mosaicked, worked into the paving and the planting — and the game is to find every one. There's a story behind them, and the kids will be racing between the terraces long before you've finished it.
The gardens and the grounds are free to wander whenever you like, and the castle itself is free to step into as well — though it earns its keep as a wedding and events venue, so it can be closed to the public when there's a private do on. Downstairs in the old cellars you'll find the visitor information centre, the Cellar Restaurant and, in the courtyard, the Tavern Coffee Shop for scones and traybakes with a view.
When you've found your ninth cat, the hill is right there. Belfast Castle sits inside Cave Hill Country Park, and the trails start from the estate — an easy woodland loop close to the castle, or the longer, steeper climb to McArt's Fort, the great rocky brow known as Napoleon's Nose. From the top the reward is one of the finest views in the country, out over the city, the lough and away to the hills beyond. It's the sort of full, fresh-air day you'll be glad you made the time for.
Plan your visit
Can I just turn up? Yes — and it's free.
No booking, no ticket. The grounds, the terraced gardens and the castle are all free to visit, and parking is free too. The gardens open every day; the castle building keeps its own hours — 9am to 6pm on Sundays and Mondays, 9am to 9pm Tuesday to Saturday — but because it's a working wedding and events venue, it can be closed to the public when a private function is on. If seeing inside matters to you, ring ahead on 028 9077 6925 or confirm on the day. The visitor information centre in the cellars keeps slightly shorter hours.
Cellar Restaurant & Tavern Coffee ShopToilets & baby-changingCave Hill trails start hereNine-cat hunt in the gardensNo dogs in gardens (leads only at coffee shop)
One to remember:
The castle interior can be closed to the public for private weddings and events. The gardens, grounds and Cave Hill trails stay open regardless — but if the inside is your reason for going, confirm on the day.
Before you set off
What to wear & bring
👟Proper walking shoes or bootsThe gardens have slopes, steps and terraces, and the Cave Hill trails are steep and rough underfoot — sturdy shoes make the difference.
🧥A coat and a warm layerYou're high on the hill with the lough below, so it catches the breeze. A shower only makes the woods smell greener and the gardens softer.
🥪A picnic, if you fancyThere are grand spots to sit with a view, or head for the Tavern Coffee Shop and the Cellar Restaurant instead.
🐱Sharp eyes for the catsAll nine are hidden through the gardens — mosaic, stone and topiary. It's a proper hunt for the little ones.
Good to know
Everything before you go
Cost
Free — the grounds, the terraced gardens, the castle and the visitor information centre are all free to visit. Parking is free too.
Hours
The gardens and grounds open daily. The castle building is open 9am–6pm on Sundays and Mondays and 9am–9pm Tuesday to Saturday, but can close to the public for private events — confirm on the day. Hours may differ on bank and public holidays.
Castle interior
Free to step into when it's not hosting a private wedding or function, which it often does. The old cellars hold the visitor information centre and the Cellar Restaurant.
What you'll see
The Scottish-baronial castle and its terraced gardens, the nine-cat hunt, sweeping views over Belfast Lough, and the trails of Cave Hill Country Park climbing up to McArt's Fort — Napoleon's Nose.
Cave Hill trails
The Estate Trail is an easier 2.4-mile woodland loop from the castle; the Cave Hill Trail is a longer, steeper 4.5-mile circular up to the summit and the fort. The climb is genuinely steep — good shoes needed.
Playground
The Cave Hill Adventurous Playground is on the estate, open daily from 7:30am with closing times that shift with the daylight.
Food
The Tavern Coffee Shop (open daily 10am–5pm) does hot and cold drinks, homemade scones, muffins and traybakes. The Cellar Restaurant, in the old cellars, serves Tuesday to Sunday and takes bookings online.
Toilets
Toilets on site, with baby-changing in the Tavern Coffee Shop and on the ground floor. Breastfeeding welcomed.
Dogs
Dogs aren't allowed inside the castle, gardens, playground or dining rooms (assistance dogs excepted). Dogs on leads are welcome in the Tavern Coffee Shop's outdoor seating, where water bowls are provided. On leads, dogs can walk the wider Cave Hill trails.
Parking
Free on-site parking, first-come first-served, with designated disabled and parent-and-child spaces.
Accessibility
The gardens have slopes, steps and terraces, so they're partly manageable on wheels but not fully step-free. The Cave Hill trails are steep and rough — not suitable for wheelchairs or prams beyond the easier estate paths.
How long
Allow 2–3 hours for the castle, gardens and a coffee — more if you take on the climb up Cave Hill, which can turn it into a half-day.
Questions
Before you go
Is Belfast Castle free?
Yes — the grounds, the terraced gardens, the castle and the visitor information centre are all free to visit, and parking is free too. No ticket, no booking for a normal visit.
Can I go inside the castle?
Usually, yes — it's free to step in when it's open. But it's a working wedding and events venue, so it can be closed to the public when a private function is on. If seeing inside matters, ring 028 9077 6925 or confirm on the day.
What are the nine cats?
Nine cat features hidden through the gardens — in mosaic, stone, paving, topiary and garden furniture. The story goes that a white cat once brought the castle good luck, and the cats keep the tale alive. Finding all nine is a favourite hunt for kids.
Can we walk up Cave Hill from here?
Yes — the trails start right from the estate. The Estate Trail is an easier 2.4-mile woodland loop; the Cave Hill Trail is a steeper 4.5-mile climb to McArt's Fort, Napoleon's Nose, with a huge view over the city and lough at the top.
Can I bring the dog?
Not into the gardens, playground, castle or dining rooms. Dogs on leads are welcome in the Tavern Coffee Shop's outdoor seating, and on leads they can walk the wider Cave Hill trails. Assistance dogs are welcome throughout.
Is there somewhere to eat?
Yes — the Tavern Coffee Shop does scones, traybakes and drinks daily from 10am, and the Cellar Restaurant in the old cellars serves Tuesday to Sunday. There are picnic spots with a view too.
Getting there
Belfast Castle, Antrim Road, Belfast, BT15 5GR — on the eastern slope of Cave Hill, a few miles north of the city centre, with free parking on site.
The castle you see today was built for the 3rd Marquess of Donegall and opened in 1870, high on the eastern slope of Cave Hill overlooking Belfast Lough. It's built in the Scottish-baronial style — all towers, turrets and pale sandstone — and later passed to the city, so that today it's owned and run by Belfast City Council and kept open for everyone.
The gardens carry a piece of folklore. The story goes that the Donegall family always kept a white cat, and that its presence brought good fortune to the castle and all who visited. When the tradition lapsed, the gardens were reworked to celebrate it — the nine cats worked into stone, mosaic and planting that families still hunt for today. Above it all rises Cave Hill itself, its rocky summit long nicknamed Napoleon's Nose, crowned by the ancient earthwork of McArt's Fort.