castle ward tours

Castle Ward: History, Things To Do + Game Of Thrones

By Author Gillian Birch

Posted on Last updated: September 27, 2022

The National Trust estate of Castle Ward is near Strangford, County Down.

With its unusual mixture of Palladium and Georgian Gothic architecture, the 18th century mansion and estate were one of several Game of Thrones filming locations in Ireland .

The 820 acre estate includes gardens, trails, a fortified tower house and  lots more , as you’ll discover below.

Table of Contents

Some quick need-to-knows about Castle Ward

Photo courtesy of Tourism Northern Ireland via Ireland’s Content Pool

Although a visit to Castle Ward in County Down is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.

1. Location     

Overlooking Strangford Lough, Castle Ward is near the village of Strangford on the east coast of Northern Ireland. It is 33 miles southeast of Belfast, 20 miles northeast of Newcastle and easy to reach from the A7.

2. Opening hours

Castle Ward house and gardens are open daily from April 1 to October 31 and on bank holidays. Some times to be aware of are:

• In summer, the gardens are open from 10:00 to 17:00 and the mansion from 11:00 to 16:00
• From November through March the mansion is closed but the gardens, estate, shops and tearoom are open from 10:00 to 16:00

Standard admission to Castle Ward is as follows:

• Adults: £10
• Children: £5
• There are discounted prices for families and groups.
• Members of the National Trust have free admission to both the house and grounds. 

4. Game of Thrones

The popular TV series Game of Thrones was filmed at Castle Ward so fans can re-live the action by spotting landmarks from the series. The historic farmyard was transformed into the fictional Winterfell with the Tower House acting as the imposing entrance. Whispering Wood was used for the Baelor Battle and Robb Stark’s Camp. 

5. Dog friendly

All the family are welcome at Castle Ward, and that includes your pets. Dogs must be kept on leads at all times as the trails are shared with horses, cyclists, young families and walkers. There’s a dog exercise field near the main car park where dogs can romp and play. Even the Stableyard Tea Room is dog-friendly.

The history of Castle Ward

Photos via Shutterstock

Castle Ward is one of the more notable castles in Northern Ireland . The estate was originally owned by the Earls of Kildare and was known as Carrick na Sheannagh. The Ward family took over the 850 acre estate in 1570 and the name became Castle Ward. 

They built several homes including the current mansion, built in the early 1760s for Bernard Ward. He became 1st Baron Bangor in 1770 and later became 1st Viscount Bangor in 1781.

Part of the mansion displays classical Palladian style while the rest is Georgian Gothic with battlements and pointed windows.

This was due to the differing tastes of Lord Bangor and his wife and their diverging preferences continue inside the mansion too. The Tower House is an older defensive structure dating back to 1610. 

The 2nd Viscount inherited the property but was insane. His younger brother had him removed to a house in Downpatrick and then stripped the mansion of its fine furnishings.

The house was restored by the following generations but on the death of the 6th Viscount in 1950, the estate was donated to the National Trust in lieu of death duties. 

Things to do at Castle Ward

There’s endless things to see and do at Castle Ward which make it a great morning-out-destination. Here are some suggestions:

1. Explore on foot    

Castle Ward estate has 21 miles (32km) of multi-use trails for exploring on foot, bicycle or on horseback.

The trails run through the unspoilt landscape passing Temple Water, a man-made canal, with resident swans and bird-life.

The Secret Shoreline Nature Trail is sure to be popular with all the family while the Boundary Trail offers an 8 mile (13km) hike through woods.

Loughshore Walk explores the lake, farm and follies with excellent views from Audley’s Castle.  

2. See where Game of Thrones was filmed

Castle Ward was used as the film set for Games of Thrones. The Tower House in the old farmyard was the entrance to Winterfell in Season 1.

The Whispering Wood may be familiar to fans as the site of the Baelor Battle and Robb Stark’s Camp. 

3. Explore by bike

Bring your bike and cycle the miles of trails that criss-cross the estate. Four of the five trails are suitable for bicycles as well as walkers.

The well-surfaced trails are suitable in all seasons and there are loops for youngsters as well as serious cyclists. Keep left and follow the directional signs around Strangford Lough, exploring the woodland and wider deer park.

Explore Robb’s Trail, one of two Game of Thrones self-guided cycling tours within the estate.

Places to visit near Castle Ward

One of the beauties of Castle Ward is that it’s a short spin away from many of the best things to do in Down .

Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do a stone’s throw from Castle Ward!

1. Audleys Castle (10-minute drive)

Photo via Shutterstock

Just 10 minutes from Castle Ward, the ruined tower of Audley’s Castle is at Portloughan. The land was owned by the Audley family since the 13th century. They built the tower as an eyecatcher across Temple Water from the long vista. The ruin provides superb views of the area. It was sold to the Ward family in 1646 as part of the Castle Ward estate. 

2. Take the ferry to the Ards Peninsula (5-minute drive)

Photos © Bernie Brown bbphotographic for Tourism Ireland

Cross the mouth of Strangford Lough by ferry from Portaferry and explore the scenic Ards Peninsula. Enjoy views back towards Castle Ward and north to the Mourne Mountains. You’ll pass sandy beaches, forests, gardens, village pubs and rocky mountains. 

3. Delamont Country Park (20-minute drive)

Just 10 miles west of Castle Ward, Delamont Country Park borders the shoreline of Strangford Lough. Check out the Strangford Stone, the tallest megalith in Ireland. The 200-acre country park is ideal for walks surrounded by outstanding natural beauty. There’s a picnic area, miniature railway and a playground for youngsters too!

FAQs about National Trust Castle Ward

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from the Glenveagh Castle Gardens to the tour.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.

Do you have to pay into Castle Ward?

Yes. Standard admission to Castle Ward is £10 for adults and £5 for kids. Group discounts are available, too.

Is Castle Ward worth visiting?

Absolutely. Castle Ward is a joy to explore on foot or on bike and there’s plenty of trails to tackle. You can also explore the house.

Was Game of Thrones filmed at Castle Ward?

Yes. The farmyard was transformed into the fictional Winterfell with the Tower House acting as the imposing entrance. Whispering Wood was used for the Baelor Battle and Robb Stark’s Camp. 

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Castle Ward Estate

Top choice in County Down

Famed for its role as Winterfell in Game of Thrones, 1760s-built Castle Ward House has a superb setting overlooking the bay west of Strangford. The estate's history is relayed in entertaining 45-minute upstairs/downstairs tours of the house and servants' quarters.

On the extensive grounds are a Victorian laundry museum, a farmyard, 16th-century Plantation tower Old Castle Ward and 15th-century tower house Castle Audley, along with walking and cycling trails.

Castle Ward House was built for Lord and Lady Bangor – Bernard Ward and his wife, Anne – whose widely differing architectural tastes resulted in an eccentric country residence – and a subsequent divorce. Bernard favoured the neoclassical style seen in the front facade and the main staircase, while Anne leaned towards the Strawberry Hill Gothic of the rear facade, which reaches a peak in the incredible fan vaulting of her Gothic boudoir.

There's a caravan park on the estate with pitches for tents.

Get In Touch

028-4488 1204

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk

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• Castle Ward

Description

See the gothic and classical collide at Castle Ward, an eccentric 18th century mansion resting on a rolling hillside.

• Downpatrick

Top Reasons To Visit

• Historic mansion
• 22 kilometres of multi-use trails
• Georgian farmyard and loughshore
• Victorian sunken garden
• Game of Thrones film locations
• The farmyard complete with ducks, chickens and pygmy goats
• The 36km of trails that loop throughout the estate – rent bikes from the Clearsky Adventure Centre and get exploring
• Visit the Barn for children’s crafts, play-room and lots of ride-on tractors
• Visit the artist’s studios and see the resident makers at work
• Check out the ‘Secret Nature Shore Trail’ for a mile-long stretch of activities and nature to discover

HBO's Game of Thrones at Castle Ward

Step into a fantasy world of castles and dragons as you explore the Georgian farmyard and the Lough shore, film locations for the smash hit television series Game of Thrones. Castle Ward’s historic farmyard was featured as the location of Winterfell for much of season one.

It’s where you’ll find the Whispering Wood and key scenes including Robb Stark’s Camp, the Baelor battle and when Brienne confronts the Stark men. Visit to discover Winterfell for yourself, and join in with Winterfell Tours to get the full Westeros experience. Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/castle-ward/features/game-of-thrones-at-castle-ward for all the information.

Contact Details

Current opening hours.

• Monday 10:00-18:00
• Tuesday 10:00-18:00
• Wednesday 10:00-18:00
• Thursday 10:00-18:00
• Friday 10:00-18:00
• Saturday 10:00-18:00
• Sunday 10:00-18:00

Alpaca-Palooza & Donkey Delight

Castle Ward are inviting you to get up close & personal with their four-legged furry friends – Alpacas and Donkeys – in the Stable Yard.

Jazz Sundays at Castle Ward

Enjoy a live jazz event at Castle Ward, where you will be hosted by the Easy Swing Jazz Duo!

Father’s Day at Castle Ward

Celebrate Father’s day in style this year at Castle Ward with falconry displays and supercars!

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Game of Thrones Studio Tour

Fans of HBO’s Game of Thrones are in for a thrill with the Game of Thrones Studio Tour.  The attraction is based at Linen Mills Studios in the Irish countryside between Dublin and Belfast.

Step behind the scenes and see the artistry and craftsmanship that goes into making the original sets. See a collection of costume props and costumes from the show that aired from 2011-2019.

Discover how the world of Westeros was brought to the screen.   From the first scripts and design through to production and filming.  See the sets used for Castle Black and Winterfell, the House Targaryen, and the mysteries of Dragonstone.

A dream for fans of the show will be to enter Winterfell Great Hall, stand on the flagstones, and sense the awesomeness of this iconic Game of Thrones set.  You will also see the Night’s Watch headquarters at Castle Black, the military order whose task it is to hold the Wall!

The Hall of Faces has been magically recreated, which will bring a tingle down your spine!

Visual Effects

Game of Thrones wouldn’t have been the same without the incredible visual effects used to bring to life many of the most epic battles and scenes.  During the Studio Tour, you will have the chance to learn more about fire-breathing dragons and the mindblowing stunts that brought the show to life.

Green screens helped create many incredible scenes in the making of the show. You will have your chance to test your acting skills, with an interactive screen experience!

See the impressive armory and the craftsmen that brought these battle items to life, as well as unique props such as dragon eggs and drinking horns. Jon Snow’s winter furs will also be one of the many costumes on display.

There is also the opportunity to eat at the studio-based restaurant and purchase official merchandise. The Game of Thrones Studio Tour lasts about 3 hours.

Make a trip out of it and combine it with our Game of Thrones Tour with Giants Causeway which departs daily from central Belfast and visits numerous sites from the show. Visit the cave where Melisandre gave birth to the shadow baby, the King’s Road, and much more.

• BSL is not provided for this tour  
• Walk through the great hall of Winterfell Castle
• Stand on the spot where Jon Snow spoke to his brothers on the watch in the mess Hall of Castle Black
• Plot your way to ruling the seven kingdoms in the Dragonstone map room
• Explore the sets of King's Landing, Braavos, Dorne and Dragonfell

About this tour

Open 7 days a week from (Open 10am – 18:30 – last entrance time 3pm)

Adult (16 years+):  £29.50 Student (16+ years) : £24 Teen (13 – 15 years) : £12 Child (2 – 12 years) : £5 Family (2 Adults and 2 Teens) : £67.25

Meet and Ends where?

Game of Thrones Studio Tour Parking, The Boulevard, Banbridge, Northern Ireland BT32 4LF

Entry Ticket to the Studio Tour

Exclusions?

Gratuities (optional). Food and Drink. Guide Books

Other Tour Options To Consider

Game of Thrones Tour from Belfast with Giant's Causeway

Game of Thrones Tour from Belfast visiting 4 sites including the shadow baby's birth place, and The Giant's Causeway.

See the sets, props and costumes up close and see how the show was made on the Game of Thrones Studio Tour.

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Castle Ward

Top ways to experience Castle Ward and nearby attractions

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CASTLE WARD: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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• (0.65 mi) Castle Ward Caravan Park
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• (0.97 mi) The Artisan Cookhouse
• (0.99 mi) The Lobster Pot
• (1.01 mi) The Cuan
• (3.39 mi) The Smugglers Table
• (1.57 mi) Salthouse Restaurant
• (0.36 mi) Winterfell Tours
• (0.65 mi) Clearsky Adventure Centre
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• (7.23 mi) Tracey's Farmhouse Kitchen
• (0.81 mi) Strangford Bay Alpacas

Castle Ward Game of Thrones Guide – Visit a Real Winterfell Castle (2024)

By: Author Sophie Pearce

Posted on Last updated: January 20, 2024

Categories GAME OF THRONES , NORTHERN IRELAND

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for details.

Okay Game of Thrones fans, did you know you can visit a real-life Winterfell Castle in Northern Ireland?

It’s called Castle Ward in County Down and they used the medieval keep and demesne to film House Stark scenes in Game of Thrones amongst others.

It’s owned and protected by the National Trust and they truly embrace the Game of Thrones theme here. 

You can pick up a map to follow a filming location trail and even have a go at archery where they filmed the Stark children practising with their bows. 

It’s a must-visit if you’re a fan of the show. Here is a Castle Ward Game of Thrones guide and how to visit the real Winterfell Castle in Northern Ireland.

The Castle Ward Game of Thrones connection

There are over 20 Castle Ward Game of Thrones filming locations to find around this scenic estate. 

The most recognisable is the Old Castle Ward aka Winterfell throughout season one. This is where we are introduced to the Stark Family and the main characters of the show. 

This area is also where Robert Baratheon and his royal party arrive to see Ned Stark. He plans to ask him to become the Hand of the King.

You can also visit the farmyard where Bran, Jon, and Robb are practising archery in the courtyard and Arya bests him with a bulls-eye after getting bored of her sewing.

You can see all of these locations on a self-guided Game of Thrones walking tour or bicycle tour. It makes such a fun day out for fans. 

Castle Ward Game of Thrones filming locations to visit

So, here is a list of the most recognisable filming locations that you can visit in Castle Ward.

Make sure to pick up a special Game of Thrones map of Castle Ward from the National Trust office that has the filming locations on there with a recommended route. 

Or, if you prefer to use your phone, they have a PDF map that you can download here. 

Old Castle Ward & Clock Tower – Winterfell Castle

The first place you’ll want to head on the Castle Ward estate is the Old Castle and farmyard area. 

The clock tower and several buildings here were transformed into Winterfell Castle for the show with a little help from set design and green screen.

There are plenty of Castle Ward Game of Thrones filming locations that can be found here.

This is where we first meet the members of House Stark like Ned, Catelyn, Arya, Robb, Bran and Jon Snow. 

You’ll also find where Bran climbs a wall to get a better view of the King in episode one as well as the door where Tyrion and Jon first meet. 

If you look around you’ll find the smithy where ‘Needle’, Arya’s famous sword, is forged in series 2. 

2. Castle Ward Demesne – King Robert’s Arrival

This area is also where they filmed King Robert’s arrival at Winterfell along with his caravan. 

Soldiers are riding their horses and holding the Baratheon and Lannister flags. We also meet some characters we love to hate like Geoffrey, Jamie, Cersei and The Hound.

The Stark family then wait to greet King Robert’s Party. All of these scenes were filmed around here.

You’ll probably think that it looks completely different to the show. But, you can see where they added turrets and towers with a bit of magical CGI!

Click here to watch this amazing behind-the-scenes video of how they made Winterfell

3. Farmyard – Archery in Winterfell 

If you head to the farmyard area, you’ll find another Castle Ward Game of Thrones filming location.

This is the spot where the Stark children were practising Archery in the very first episode.

If you remember, this is where Bran, Jon, and Robb are practising Archery in the courtyard.

Robb says “Relax your bow arm Bran” making fun of him and Ned counters “And which one of you was a marksman at ten?”.

Did you know that you can have a go at some archery yourself? Winterfell Tours runs archery sessions right in the courtyard where the cast and crew filmed these scenes.

As part of your tour, you’ll get to don a Stark cloak and then practice several rounds of archery. 

I decided to have a go myself and found out that it is not as easy as it looks! I am left-handed so at a natural disadvantage anyway but there’s also so much that goes into it.

There was a mini competition between our group and, unfortunately, I was the one that lost and my punishment was a beheading! 

Click here to book your own archery session with Winterfell Tours

4. Strangford Lough – Brienne confrontation

Head through the arch behind the farmyard and you’ll find a scenic path beside Strangford Lough. Here, you’ll find a few more Castle Ward Game of Thrones filming locations.

The first will be when Brienne is walking with Jamie Lannister and finds the three ladies who are hanging from a tree in series 2, episode 10 ‘Valar Morghulis’.

She later confronts the Stark men who are responsible and then they meet their sorry end.

This is also the area where ‘Lady’, Sansa’s dire wolf, is executed. Both are hard scenes to watch. 

5. Audley’s Field – Robb’s Camp at Oxcross

If you walk 20 minutes from Castle Ward beside the lough, you’ll eventually come across Audley’s Field which is a gorgeous area.

Here you will find plenty more Castle Ward Game of Thrones filming locations.

In series 1, we see Robert Baratheon arrive passing Audley’s Field. In series 2, this field becomes Robb’s camp in the Battle of Oxcross.

It’s here that Robb meets Talissa, who is a healer from Volantis. Whilst she is tending wounded soldiers, Robb falls in love with her and he later asks her to marry him. 

These scenes happen in Series 2, Episode 4: Garden of Bones. 

6. Audley Castle – The Twins

Audley Castle also featured as The Twins in Game of Thrones (the other tower and crossing were inserted with CGI). 

This is when Theon Greyjoy takes down one of the messenger ravens from Walder Frey’s towers sent to warn about Robb’s army. 

The castle isn’t always open to explore or to climb up and see the views. But, I still have fun looking around this austere keep! 

7. Downpatrick Avenue – Ned’s Picnic and Baelor Battlefield  

After your loop around Strangford Lough, make sure to head up towards the Palladian Mansion to check out Downpatrick Avenue.

This is a field where they filmed scenes in Game of Thrones like Ned’s picnic where he feasts with Robert Baratheon.

Also, this is where they filmed the Baelor Battlefield scenes in series 1, episode 9 ‘Baelor’. 

Why not take a Game of Thrones cycling tour? 

If you wanted to see all 20 Castle Ward Game of Thrones filming locations then I would opt for a cycling tour with Winterfell Tours. 

They have an office right here in Old Castle Ward and they even have a stocks that you can pose with.

You can enter their office to rent a bike and you’ll receive an old-scroll map with all the filming locations you can visit on your cycling tour.

This is a great way to see the area and will save you lots of time as the estate is huge. I would book in advance to avoid disappointment.

Click here to book your Game of Thrones cycling tour of Castle Ward

Other things to do in Castle Ward 

So, beyond the Game of Thrones filming locations, Castle Ward makes a great day trip out in Northern Ireland.

Most people visit Castle Ward to take a tour of the 18th-century Palladian-style mansion built beside Strangford Lough. 

It’s a unique home as one side has Palladian architecture and the other has been designed in the Gothic style. 

This juxtaposition of styles comes from a disagreement between the Lord and Lady of the House. 

Bernard Ward, 1st Viscount Bangor, did not agree with his wife Lady Anne about how the house should be constructed and decorated. 

Lady Anne’s family was connected to royalty which used the Gothic style and Bernard wanted the most fashionable Palladian style.

They came to a compromise but the result was a house that looked like two sides of a coin!

Lady Anne left the castle shortly after it was built. It makes a great story on your tour and you can see this mix-match of styles in every room. 

After, make sure to explore the Sunken Garden which was a formal garden and has been restored based on an 1864 painting by Mary Ward.

There are lots of shops, cafés, and walking trails around the estate too. You can visit the temples and boat houses that the family used to use all those years ago. 

How to visit Castle Ward in Northern Ireland

Castle Ward is located in County Down which is in the south of Northern Ireland and is around a 60-minute drive from Belfast or a 2 hour 30 drive from Dublin. 

This part of County Down makes a great day trip for Game of Thrones fans if you’re visiting the area as there are lots more Game of Thrones filming locations to visit.

The best way to access Castle Ward would be to drive and there is free parking on-site that’s included as part of your ticket.

There is a parking area closer to the old keep area of Castle Ward on the lakeside. If you park by the Palladian mansion, it’s a bit of a walk to the lough! So, ask the staff to direct you. 

If you’re not driving, it’s easiest to take the 16 bus from Belfast to Downpatrick and then another bus to Strangford that stops at Castle Ward. 

Why not take a Game of Thrones tour?

If you’re not driving in Northern Ireland, or you just fancy taking a break from the wheel, I would highly recommend taking a Game of Thrones tour to some of these filming locations.

These tours are very affordable and are run by expert guides who were extras in the show. So, you’ll get to see the filming locations and hear some behind-the-scenes gossip too! 

There are four major filming locations located in County Down where you can experience ‘The North’ and Winterfell.

These are Tollymore Forest Park, Inch Abbey, Castle Ward, and Audley’s Field. You can take a guided tour from Belfast or Dublin that covers them all in one day!

I joined the tour for their Game of Thrones trek around Tollymore Forest Park in the morning. 

It was great as we got to wear a Stark cloak, see the scenes filmed in different locations on an iPad, and some hilarious commentary too. I would highly recommend it. 

Click here to book a Game of Thrones tour of County Down !

Opening times and ticket prices 

Castle Ward estate, gardens, and grounds are open throughout the year but the mansion may not be open during the winter season.  

Also, it’s good to note that some Game of Thrones tours and activities may not be running in winter.

Traditionally, Castle Ward is open from 10 am and then closes at either 4 pm or 6 pm depending on the season.  

Ticket prices are £13.20 for adults and £6.60 a child which includes access to the entire estate and parking. National Trust members get in for free. 

Click here to check the latest opening times 

My top tips for visiting

• Plan at least 2-3 hours – Castle Ward is a huge site with lots of Game of Thrones filming locations to spot so make sure to leave enough time for the walking trails.
• Wear sensible shoes and bring an extra layer – you’ll need sensible footwear to explore the estate and, even in summer, the breeze from the lough can bite! Pack a layer just in case.
• Bring your National Trust card – entry is FREE for National Trust members 
• Don’t miss out on Audley Castle – this is a short walk away from the Castle Ward Demesne on Strangford Lough and is gorgeous, even if you’re not a Game of Thrones fan. 

Doune Castle Winterfell connectrion

Did you know that Castle Ward wasn’t the only place where they filmed Winterfell?

Doune Castle in Scotland was also used to film some of the castle courtyard scenes. To celebrate, the castle had a Winterfell sign-up for visitors. 

Beady-eyed Outlander fans will notice that Doune Castle played Castle Leoch in the award-winning time travel series. 

Click here to read my complete guide for Doune Castle

Game of Thrones doors to visit near Castle Ward

Did you know that there are several Game of Thrones Doors you can visit in pubs around Northern Ireland?

It’s known as the Journey of Doors trail and you can even pick up your very own passport to tick them all off! They make great places to eat or stay whilst chasing down filming locations.

Here are the Game of Thrones doors that you can visit in County Down;

• The Cuan – This was originally a traditional pub where the cast and crew stayed for filming but now is a swanky bar. They have the first door which portrays the geography of Westeros. 
• Fiddlers Green – You can find this pub in Strangford and you can take a ferry to reach it. Quinten Bay is nearby where they filmed Castle Stokeworth of the Crownlands. On their door are images of the Flayed Man as well as a Kraken, swords, and the Winterfield Weirwood Tree. 
• Percy French – Newcastle is a popular beach town and you’ll find Percy French outside the swanky Slieve Donard Hotel. The Game of Thrones Door is located right out the front as you enter the restaurant. On the door, you’ll find a Greyjoy ship along with a Kraken, a direwolf of House Stark, and skulls at the bottom.

Click here to read my guide with all the Game of Thrones doors you can visit in Northern Ireland

Looking for more Game of Thrones locations in County Down?

If you’re doing a self-guided Game of Thrones tour of Northern Ireland, there are plenty of filming locations you can visit near Castle Ward.

If you haven’t already, I would download the  Game of Thrones Northern Ireland app  that has most of them included. You will get iPhone Maps pins to guide you to each location;

This Cistercian Abbey appeared in series one when Robb makes camp at Riverrun. 

After Joffrey has taken the throne, he asks Robb Stark to pay him fealty. Robb refuses as he knows his father has been held prisoner at King’s Landing.

Robb calls his bannermen and marches Stark soldiers to go to war with the Lannisters. Robb goes on to win the Battle of the Whispering Wood taking Jaime Lannister as a prisoner. 

Robb camps near Riverrun and it’s here that Robb hears from his mother Catelyn that his father Ned has been executed. 

So, the Houses of the North and the Riverlands show fealty to Robb and cry out: “The King of the North”! And so starts the beginning of the War of the Five Kings.

Read my guide on how to visit Inch Abbey in County Down!

Tollymore Forest Park

Tollymore Forest Park is one of the most beautiful parks that you can visit in Northern Ireland and it’s a Game of Thrones filming location too.

This park played the lands around Winterfell in The North. It featured in many key scenes during the first episode and series.

Click here to read my complete guide for visiting Tollymore Forest Park

You can visit the Wildlings pit in the prologue, where Ned Stark finds the Direwolves and where Jon Snow camps with Tyrion on the way to Castle Black and The Wall. 

If you want to see all of the filming locations, I would recommend booking a Tollymore Game of Thrones trek where you get to wear a Stark Cloak and are shown around by an expert guide who was a wildling in the show. 

Click here to book your Game of Thrones trek through Tollymore Forest Park!

River Quoile

The River Quoile besides Inch Abbey also featured as Riverrun in series 3 episode 3: Walk of Punishment.

After Hoster Tully dies, the responsibility for Riverrun passes onto his son Edmure Tully. The Tully funeral tradition is to place the body in a boat on the river and then set it aflame by an arrow.

Of course, Edmure Tully is terrible at this and so his uncle Brynden takes the reins and lands a perfect blow. 

These scenes were filmed in the Quoile Pondage Nature Reserve which is surrounded by the rolling hills of the countryside. It’s a huge place and you could be driving/walking for miles before you find the exact location.

If you want to save time, there is actually a Google Pin to the exact Game of Thrones filming location where you’ll see the sign. 

Click here for a Google Pin to the exact Quoile River GOT location !

Read even more of my Northern Ireland Game of Thrones guides 

Ballintoy Harbour – Welcome to the Iron Islands

How to visit Dunluce Castle

A complete guide for Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge

Game of Thrones Studio Tour review

How to visit the Game of Thrones Tapestry

Glass of Thrones walk in Belfast

How to visit the Dark Hedges

Cushendun Caves Game of Thrones location

How to visit Pollnagollum Caves 

Save this Castle Ward Game of Thrones Winterfell guide for later! 

Winterfell Trek from Belfast

• Your guide is an extra from Game of Thrones®
• Stark cloaks, banners and swords for everyone
• Old forest, a Tower House and a 12th-century ruin
• All entrance fees included: no hidden costs
• Lunch not included in your ticket price

Prices from £45

Castle ward, tollymore forest, winter is coming this tour visits locations associated with house stark in the early seasons. the first visit of the day is inch abbey, the crumbling 12th century where robb stark became ‘king in the north’. close by is old castle ward, original location of winterfell castle in season 1. after lunch, you’ll enter the enchanting depths of tollymore forest which featured as the wood north of the wall where the night’s watch find dismembered wildling bodies and as the wolfswood where the starks find the direwolf pups., pickup point, 07:45 meeting time.

Pickup point is the front door of Leonardo Hotel (formerly Jurys Inn), Great Victoria Street, Belfast BT1 6DY. The coach will arrive at 07:45. It will have ‘Eamonn Rooney’ written on the side.

08:00 Departure time

Depart from Leonardo Hotel for Inch Abbey, Downpatrick.

Inch Abbey: King in the North

Photo stop at the ruins of a 12th century Cistercian Abbey where Catelyn and Robb hear terrible news from King’s Landing and Robb’s bannermen pledge fealty to him as the ‘King in the North’. For those who want to get fully immersed in the mood of the North, in the trunk of the coach there are plenty of Northern cloaks, metal swords and Stark banners.

Morning trek at Winterfell (3km)

Old Castle Ward, a 16th century tower house and stableyard, is the film location of Winterfell in season 1. Nearby, on the wooded shores of Strangford Lough, an older, 15th century tower served as one of Walder Frey’s Twins and as the location of Robb’s Camp in the Riverlands. Other classic scenes filmed nearby include the spot where Brienne of Tarth dispatched three Stark bannermen and where Tyrion and Bronn were ambushed by the Stone Crows of the Vale.

Lunch at the Barn pub

On the coach trip from Belfast to Winterfell, we pass around a menu for pre-ordering hot food at the Barn, a pub in Saul – see https://www.thebarnsaul.com/. Alternatively, you can bring your own packed lunch. Lunch is not included in the ticket price.

Afternoon Trek in Tollymore Forest (3km)

Arrival at Tollymore Forest Park. This forest park, covering 630 hectares (1,600 acres) was used for many key scenes, including where Wills finds the dismembered bodies in the snow, Tyrion and Jon’s campfire on their journey north to the wall and the bridge where the Starks find a dead direwolf and her pups.

17:00 Arrive back in Belfast

Arrive back at Belfast city centre. Drop-off of all passengers.

Map of the route

Practical Information

• Although this is a coach tour, please note that this coach tour also includes two locations treks, one in the morning at Tollymore forest (3kms), the other in the afternoon at Castle Ward Estate (3kms).
• This tour is not recommended for young children or anyone with limited mobility.
• Please wear outdoor footwear, bring plenty of water and dress appropriately for the Northern Irish weather.
• Lunch is not included in the ticket price
• We offer 10% off for groups of 6+ people
• We will fully refund your payment card if you cancel up to 24 hours before your departure time. We will charge a cancellation fee of 100% if you cancel your booking within 24 hours of the departure time.

Under 18 Policy

Please note that: 1. Game of Thrones® is full of adult content and is rated 18+ in the UK and Ireland 2. Our tours include walking treks, often over uneven surfaces, and 3. Our customers use metal props as part of the experience Accordingly, we do not permit children under the age of 12 to do any of our coach tours. This is why there is no children’s ticket price. If you purchase a ticket for a young person between 12 and 18, we need a written waiver from a parent or guardian. Please email us at [email protected] , stating the Booking ID and young person’s age.

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