Winterfell's real-life castle is Castle Ward, a National Trust property near Strangford in County Down, Northern Ireland. Exterior scenes for the pilot and season 1 were filmed there, including at Audley's Castle on the grounds. Nearby Tollymore Forest Park stood in for the Winterfell woods.
Castle Ward sits near the village of Strangford in County Down, southeast of Belfast by road. The estate is a National Trust property open to the public with paid admission, and the ticket covers Audley's Castle, a tower house on the grounds that appeared in the show.
Most of the Winterfell exterior footage comes from the pilot and season 1. The estate's mixture of woodland, parkland and shoreline gave the production the look it needed for the Stark family seat, and fans can walk the same terrain today.
Nearby Tollymore Forest Park in Newcastle, County Down, doubled as the Winterfell woods and hosted various other forest scenes across the series. Entry to the forest park is free, and it doubles as a popular hiking spot.
Northern Ireland served as the production heartland for all eight seasons. Titanic Studios in Belfast, home of the Paint Hall, housed interior sets including the Iron Throne room, and many exterior scenes were shot across the region.
The Dark Hedges at Armoy and Stranocum in County Antrim played the Kingsroad in season 2, episode 1, during Arya Stark's escape scene. The road has been closed to vehicles since 2017 to protect the tree roots, with free parking available nearby at the Hedges Hotel.
Ballintoy Harbour in County Antrim served as Lordsport on Pyke, the Iron Islands port visited in season 2. Access is free, though the access road is steep. Magheramorne Quarry near Larne held the Castle Black set and the Hardhome set from season 5, but it remains private and closed to visitors.
Yes. The Game of Thrones Studio Tour at Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge is the only official studio tour, featuring preserved sets from the production. It is the closest a visitor can get to standing inside the world of the show rather than at an outdoor location.
For travellers based in Dublin, private tours run to the Northern Ireland filming locations, while tours from Belfast combine Game of Thrones sites with the Giant's Causeway along the County Antrim coast, one of the region's major natural attractions.
Official Game of Thrones Studio Tour Admission Ticket
Admission to the only official Game of Thrones studio tour, at Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge, where preserved sets from the production are on display year round.
Giants Causeway & Game of Thrones Tour from Belfast
Combines Game of Thrones stops along the County Antrim coast with a visit to the Giant's Causeway, pairing fan sites with the region's most famous natural landmark.
Game of Thrones Filming Location Private Luxury Tour from Dublin
A private luxury day trip from Dublin to the Northern Ireland filming locations, including Castle Ward country, for travellers who want a personalized itinerary without self-driving across the border.
Yes. Castle Ward near Strangford in County Down, Northern Ireland, provided the Winterfell exteriors for the pilot and season 1. It is a National Trust property open to the public with paid admission, and the grounds include Audley's Castle.
The Iron Throne room was an interior set built inside the Paint Hall at Titanic Studios in Belfast. Preserved sets can be seen at the official Game of Thrones Studio Tour at Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge.
The road has been closed to vehicles since 2017 to protect the tree roots from tourist traffic damage. Visitors can walk the road freely, and free parking is available nearby at the Hedges Hotel.
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