Hillsborough Forest & Lake and the Forest Play Park sit right alongside, so you can easily pair a wander through the estate with a play session — and both are free.
Lisburn is minutes away and fills in the indoor gaps — soft play, climbing walls, a leisure centre, and a cinema. Altogether, there are 48 places to visit within about 10 miles, with 14 of them completely free.
The best days out near Hillsborough
Hillsborough Garden Centre
Hillsborough Forest & Lake
Hillsborough Castle & Gardens
Hillsborough Lake (PAE)
Hillsborough Forest Play Park
Lisburn Golf Club
Ulster Aviation Society Museum
Sprucefield Centre
Lyons Karting
Down Royal Park Golf Course
High Rise Lisburn
High Rise Clip 'n Climb (Lisburn)
Happy Days Lisburn
Glenmore Forest (Lisburn)
Ultimate Challenges (Airtastic Lisburn)
Airtastic Entertainment Centre Lisburn
Lagan Valley LeisurePlex
Omniplex Cinema Lisburn
Lisburn Sub-Aqua Club
Nature and Nurture
Grosvenor Tropicals
Bow Street Mall
MJS Exotics (Lisburn)
Jumping Jacks Lisburn
Tumbles Soft Play
Lagan Canal Greenway (Lisburn to Aghalee)
Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum
Glebe Farm Shop
Castle Gardens Lisburn
Lambeg Golf Club
Wallace Park (Lisburn)
Ashvale Farm Shop & Tea Room
Dobbies Soft Play (Lisburn)
Larchfield Estate
Hilton Park Garden Centre
Hilden Brewery
Wallace Park Playground
Lime Park Equestrian Centre
Stoneyford Reservoir (PAE)
Slieve Croob Stargazing Site
Spruce Meadows Activity Farm
Laganview Golf Centre
Laganvale Farm
Islandderry Trout Fishery
Mini Moira Play Café & Hub
Ballyburren Outdoor Escapes — Alpaca Trekking
Ballyburren Outdoor Escapes
Edenmore Golf Club
What's on near Hillsborough
- 16AugMaurice Shannon Botanical Art — Belfast Central LibraryBelfast Central Library
- 2SepBlack heritage in NI: Hidden History — Belfast Central LibraryBelfast Central Library
- 2SepMary Mangan’s Pocket WatchTtianic Befast
- 2SepEmerging Artists ExhibitionArtisAnn Gallery
- 4SepGolden Hour Alpaca Trekking Experience in BallynahinchBallyburren Outdoor Escapes
- 4SepW5 September SaverW5 Belfast
Days out in Hillsborough — your questions
What are the best days out in Hillsborough?
Start with Hillsborough Castle & Gardens — it's the area's standout attraction. For outdoor family time without paying, Hillsborough Forest & Lake and the Forest Play Park are both free and easy to combine. If you want something more active, Lyons Karting and Airtastic Entertainment Centre Lisburn are popular choices in nearby Lisburn.
What free things are there to do in Hillsborough?
There's a solid set of free options. Hillsborough Forest & Lake and the Forest Play Park are both free and great for families. The Ulster Aviation Society Museum and Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum are free too. Grosvenor Tropicals and MJS Exotics (Lisburn) offer free animal encounters.
Where can you go on a rainy day near Hillsborough?
Lisburn has good indoor cover. Airtastic Entertainment Centre Lisburn is a solid bet for a wet day, and there are several soft play centres — Happy Days Lisburn, Jumping Jacks Lisburn, and Tumbles Soft Play. The Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum is free and dry, and Omniplex Cinema Lisburn is right in town.
What's good for young children near Hillsborough?
Plenty of options. Hillsborough Forest Play Park and Wallace Park Playground are free and ideal for little ones. For indoor soft play, try Happy Days Lisburn, Jumping Jacks Lisburn, or Tumbles Soft Play. Grosvenor Tropicals and MJS Exotics (Lisburn) are free animal experiences that young children tend to love.