The recent £875,000 upgrading by Lisburn Castlereagh City Council will ensure the continued use of the 40 acres of parkland, which facilitates beautiful walks, picnic sites and a children’s play area. Sir Arthur Rawdon, MP (1662-1695) laid out the Demesne with trees and exotic plants from Jamaica, thus making it one of the foremost botanical gardens in 17th Century Europe. He also built the first hothouse for plants in Europe.