A grand Elizabethan-style mansion of pale Scottish sandstone — turrets, gables and a lanterned tower — that Lurgan locals simply call Lurgan Castle. Now the home of the Royal Black Institution, and open for tours, functions and events, with one of the biggest parks in the country right on its doorstep.
What you'll see — the sandstone mansion with its turrets and tall spiralled chimneys from outside, and on a tour the grand interiors, thought to include an Octagon Room with Italian marble work and the room where General Eisenhower is said to have stayed during the Second World War.
Right alongside — Lurgan Park and its big lake, one of the largest urban parks around, with landscaped walks, a play park and a cast-iron fountain — free to wander any day.
How to visit — the house is open for tours by prior arrangement and for functions and events, so you can't always just walk in — check and book ahead. The park is open daily and needs no booking.
How long — allow a half day to pair a house tour with a wander round the park and lake; longer if the sun's out.
The house opens on set days. Tours are by prior arrangement and it's a working headquarters that hosts events, so ring or book before you travel if seeing inside is why you're going.
Pair it with the park. Even if the house isn't open the day you're there, Lurgan Park and its lake are free to roam next door — so the trip is never wasted.
Food & parking — there's a tea room at the house doing teas, coffee, lunches and tray bakes on its opening days, with more cafés in Lurgan town a short hop away. Confirm parking and tea-room hours when you book.
Plan your visit
Book the house — then wander the park for free
Brownlow House is a working headquarters that opens for tours by prior arrangement and hosts weddings, functions and events, so it isn't a turn-up-any-time attraction — ring ahead or book to see inside, and admission to the tour is complimentary. Its tea room runs on set days, so check what's open before you set off. Right beside the house, Lurgan Park is free and open daily — one of the largest urban parks around, with a huge lake, landscaped walks, a play park and a cast-iron Jubilee fountain — so you can combine a booked house tour with a long, free wander, or just come for the park. Always confirm the day's opening, tour times and any event closures before you travel.
Tea room (set days)Tours by arrangementLurgan Park & lake alongsideWeddings & events venuePlay park in Lurgan Park
The house opens on set days:
Tours are by prior arrangement and the building hosts functions and events, so the interior isn't always open to drop-in visitors. Ring or book ahead and check the day's opening before you travel — and remember the park next door is free and open even when the house isn't.
Before you set off
What to bring
👟Comfy shoesThere's a big park and a lakeside loop to walk, on grass, gravel and paths — comfy shoes make the day.
🧥A coat for the parkThe mansion is grand whatever the sky does, but you'll want a coat for the open park and the walk round the lake.
📞Your booking or a phone callHouse tours are by prior arrangement — book or ring ahead so the interior is open when you arrive.
📷Your cameraThe sandstone turrets, the grand interiors and the swans on the lake are all worth a photo.
Good to know
Everything before you go
Cost
House tours are complimentary (by prior arrangement), and Lurgan Park is free to enter. Confirm current arrangements when you book, as events and private functions can affect access.
Opening
The house opens on set days for tours by prior arrangement and for functions and events — it's not always open to drop-in visitors, so ring or book ahead. Lurgan Park is open daily. Confirm the day's opening before you travel.
Booking
Tours of Brownlow House are by prior arrangement — book or phone ahead to arrange a visit and guarantee the interior is open. No booking is needed for the park.
What you'll see
The Elizabethan-style sandstone mansion outside — turrets, gables, tall spiralled chimneys and a lanterned tower — and, on a tour, the grand interiors, thought to include an Octagon Room with Italian marble work and the room said to have been used by General Eisenhower during WWII, plus a WWII exhibition. Alongside sits Lurgan Park with its large lake, walks, play park and fountain.
Food
A tea room at the house serves teas, coffee, lunches, scones and tray bakes on its opening days. Lurgan town centre nearby has plenty more cafés and shops.
Parking
There is parking around the house and Lurgan Park — confirm the arrangements and any charges when you book your tour.
The park
Lurgan Park is one of the largest urban parks around, with a big man-made lake, landscaped walkways, a play park and a cast-iron Jubilee fountain — free and open daily beside the house.
How long
Allow half a day to pair a house tour with a wander of the park and lake — longer on a fine day.
Questions
Before you go
Can I just turn up and go inside?
Not always — tours of Brownlow House are by prior arrangement, and the building also hosts functions and events. Ring or book ahead so the interior is open when you arrive. The park next door, though, is free and open daily with no booking.
How much does it cost?
House tours are complimentary and Lurgan Park is free to enter. Confirm the current arrangements when you book, as private events can affect access on the day.
Why is it called Lurgan Castle?
It's not actually a castle — it's a grand 19th-century mansion, built around 1833 for the Brownlow family in an Elizabethan style. Its turrets, gables and tower give it a castle-like look, so locals have long called it Lurgan Castle.
What's there for families?
Right beside the house, Lurgan Park has a big lake with swans, landscaped walks and a play park — free and open daily. Pair it with a booked house tour, or just come for the park.
Is there somewhere to eat?
The house has a tea room doing teas, coffee, lunches, scones and tray bakes on its opening days, and Lurgan town centre a short hop away has plenty more cafés. Check the tea-room hours when you book.
Could it be closed for an event?
It can — Brownlow House is a working headquarters that hosts weddings and functions, so the interior can be given over to private events. Check the day's opening and book your tour before you travel.
Getting there
Brownlow House, Windsor Avenue, Lurgan, Craigavon, Co. Armagh, BT67 9GB — set above Lurgan Park in the middle of Lurgan, with the park and lake right alongside.
Brownlow House was built around 1833 for Charles Brownlow, later Baron Lurgan, whose family had held land here for generations. It's said to have been designed by the celebrated Edinburgh architect William Henry Playfair in a grand Elizabethan or Tudor-revival style, its pale walls of imported Scottish sandstone rising into turrets, gables, tall spiralled chimneys and a distinctive lanterned tower. It was never a fortress — but with a silhouette like that, Lurgan folk have always called it Lurgan Castle.
The huge lake in the park below was dug by hand during the Famine years, giving work to local people and a centrepiece to the Brownlow estate. In the early 1900s the house passed to the Orange Order, and today it is the headquarters of the Royal Black Institution. Through the World Wars it served as a military headquarters, and General Eisenhower is said to have stayed here while preparing for D-Day. Now it opens its grand rooms for tours and events — and Lurgan Park spreads out below, free for anyone to walk. Book a tour, bring the family for the lake, and go and enjoy it.