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Hillsborough
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Hillsborough is a
village in County Down situated 19 km from the city of Belfast. With
its fine Georgian architecture, Gothic planter's church, tea rooms
and well-stocked antique shops, Hillsborough has been described as
one of the most English-looking villages in Ulster. There's a lovely
circular walk around the lake which takes about an hour to complete
and begins near an impressive ruined fort built in 1650 by Colonel
Arthur Hill after whom the village is named.
Hillsborough Castle a two storey Georgian mansion, was Government
House from 1924 until 1973 and is the official residence of
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom (and other royal family members)
when visiting the province and the Secretary of State for Northern
Ireland from 1973. Within the grounds are some magnificent gardens,
a Quaker burial ground, a Greek temple, and Lady Alice's circular
temple, built in 1880. Tours of the castle and gardens are available
by arrangement.
Nearby Hillsborough Forest Park covers an area of almost 500 acres
which provides ample space for a variety of different walks. The
whole of the lake area is a forest wildlife sanctuary and home to a
wide variety of birds and animals.
Hillsborough village hosts an International Oyster Festival,
generally every September, attracting thousands of visitors from
many countries to partake in the competitions festivities; these
include boat racing, parachuting, garden fêtes, oyster eating and
Guinness drinking – all in the name of fun, revelry and charity. |
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Hillsborough Holiday Homes - County Down, Ireland