Hillsborough Castle and Gardens in Northern Ireland will host Beano Hijinks, an interactive trail, from 27 June to 31 August 2026. Children receive free entry to the gardens during this period.

The trail requires visitors to find six parts of a time machine hidden across the 100-acre estate. Characters from Beano comics, including Dennis, Minnie, Harsha, Rubi and Gnasher, feature in the storyline after their go-kart time machine crashes.

Each family gets a comic strip story to guide them through the landscaped gardens and historical features. The experience includes encounters with large-scale figures of historical characters such as a young Lord Hillsborough and Benjamin Franklin, who visited the estate in 1771.

General admission covers the trail, with tickets available soon. An Imaginary Menagerie play area provides additional outdoor activities.

Onsite options include Beano-themed food, cafe meals and merchandise from the shop. Upgraded tickets allow entry to the castle building.

The Beano comic began publication in 1938 and continues weekly. A similar event runs at Hampton Court Palace from 25 July to 23 August 2026.