- Game of Thrones Season 7 hits UK screens on 17th July and to prepare you for the latest series of the popular drama, we're looking back at some of the most incredible filming locations around Northern Ireland with the help of Ireland Luxury Travel.
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Be inspired to take a Game of Thrones mini-break with these beautiful settings, including the real-life Dragonstone, Winterfell and more... Arguably the most iconic Game of Thrones filming location in Northern Ireland, Castle Ward is the real-life location of the famous Winterfell. The 18th-century mansion is a National Trust property embellished with a mix of classical and gothic architecture, and the grounds take in striking views over the Strangford Lough. At Castle Ward, you can dress up in Game of Thrones costumes and take part in archery lessons. Here you can also meet the real-life Direwolves which feature in the show.
- The opening of the first ever episode of Game of Thrones was filmed in the Tollymore Forest Park in County Down. The Haunted Forest is where we saw the Night’s Watch deserter ride into a circle of Wildling bodies. The atmospheric setting is also the location where Starks discovered the dire wolves.
One of the most recognisable filming locations from Game of Thrones, the Dark Hedges is a frequent feature in the series. The unmistakable hedges played the part of Kingsroad, and featured in the scene where Arya escaped from King’s Landing. The alluring natural attraction – a beech-tree lined narrow road creating the illusion of a mysterious tunnelled hedge - meant that no digital enhancements had to be made for the show, making it one of the most authentic filming locations to visit.
- These striking caves are situated on County Antrim’s wild and beautiful east coast, and were formed over a period of 400 million years. The Cushendun Caves was used as the setting for the Stormlands, and the birthplace of Melisandre’s spooky shadow baby.
The picture-perfect Ballintoy Harbour has taken on the setting of both the Lordsport Harbour and the Iron Islands. The harbour’s most iconic scene saw Theon being baptised into the religion of the drowned God in series 2. The harbour was also used in series 4 as the place where Melisandre presided over the burning of the Bannermen.
- Downhill Strand on the coast of County Derry is one of Northern Ireland’s most-loved beaches. The 11km stretch of sand is classed as an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) and is also a Special Area of Conservation. The strand is home to Mussenden, which is a tiny temple perched atop a 120ft cliff above the Atlantic Ocean. The striking beach was used as the setting for Dragonstone in series 2, and is the place where the seven gods of Westeros were sacrificed by Melisandre.
Inch Abbey in County Down was the location used for the Houses of the North. The setting was used for Robb Starks’ camp in Riverrun and was featured before the battle in which the Stark army captured Jamie Lannister and learned of the death of Ned Stark. The abbey dates back to the 12th century and is located beside the River Quoile, featuring striking views across to the spires of Down Cathedral.
Binevenagh in County Derry is a mountain situated off the main Causeway Coastal Route. It was formed over 60 million years ago and boasts dramatic basalt cliffs which dominate the surrounding countryside. The breathtaking panoramic views from the mountain cover Roe Valley, the Sperrin Mountains, the North Coast and Lough Foyle to Donegal. Binevenagh was the filming location for Dothraki and is best remembered by fans from the series 5 finale where Daenerys was captured by a Dothraki horde.