Game of Thrones Winterfell Tour from Belfast
Discover where it all began on the Game of Thrones Winterfell Tour from Belfast. Visit locations that have featured in all 8 seasons of GOT on the unique adventure through Westeros. With a local guide by your side, learn how Northern Ireland has been vital in bringing the Seven Kingdoms to life.
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Starting your tour in Belfast City Centre, you will be greeted by your tour guide. Having appeared on the show themselves, they will be able to fill you in on insider knowledge throughout the day ahead.
From here you will first stop at the site of Robb Stark’s camp. It was here that he gathered his army after his father’s death. On this site is the 12th-century Inch Abbey. Eagle-eyed GOT fans will recognize it as the ruin where Robb was crowned King in the North.
Tollymore Forest is the next stop. This is one of the first locations ever to be shown on the TV series. The show opens here, where we see a group of Wildings being chased and killed by White Walkers. On a happier note, this is also the place where the Starks find a litter of direwolf pups that become companions to each Stark child. And that’s not the last time that direwolves will be mentioned on this tour.
After grabbing lunch at a traditional Irish pub, where you can eat like a king on local produce, you will get a chance to meet some direwolves in person. Odin and Thor, who played two of the Starks’ canine companions, will be available for photographs… and cuddles. Just try not to get too starstruck.
The last stop on this tour brings you to Castle Ward Estate. This 18th-century mansion doubles up as the stronghold of Winterfell. An iconic GOT location, it’s the perfect place to get some fun souvenir photos. Your guide will even provide you with some costumes and props to make it even more authentic.
The Game of Thrones Winterfell Tour from Belfast allows you to follow in the footsteps of your favourite characters, while also dressing like them! This is a fun, adventure-filled experience that makes a great day out for any GOT fan!
Locations (5)
1. Meeting point: Outside Visit Belfast Tourist Office
The tour starts and ends outside Visit Belfast Tourist Office (opposite the City Hall),
9 Donegall Square North, Belfast BT1 5GB
2. Inch Abbey / King Robb’s Camp
Inch Abbey is a large 12th century ruined monastic site an example of early Gothic architecture. ‘King in the North’: Following the news of Eddard Stark’s death, the North decided to bend the knee to their own Northern King. This is the ruin where King Robb ‘The young wolf’ was crowned ‘The King in the North’. This is a picturesque place to visit on the first part of the tour.
3. Tollymore Forest Park
The next stop will be Tollymore forest park – Ireland’s oldest pine forest – to see the very place where the Direwolf pups were discovered, and where the White Walker ambush took place. This stunning woodland in the heart of the ancient ‘Kingdom of Mourne’ is most famous for the place the Starks first found their Direwolf pups. Other scenes include the mysterious Wildling massacre by the White Walkers from episode 1. You’ll also see Jon and Tyrion’s tree, where they discuss life at the Wall. Make sure you bring good shoes as this section of the tour contains a 3km walk through the forest.
4. Castle Ward / Meet the Direwolves
Make sure to meet the Castle Ward Direwolves, Odin and Thor. Two of GOT’s canine stars! These fluffy and friendly dogs were used during filming as Stark-family direwolves.
There are few more iconic representations of the Stark family than their direwolf sigil. An image of the canine accompanies them wherever they travel. It is a symbol of their loyalty to one another and their cause. You can even see this loyalty in the direwolf pups that are gifted to the Stark children in the very first episode of the GOT TV series. Each of these pets becomes a faithful companion and ferocious protector, assisting their master whenever they’re in need.
To bring direwolves to the screen, the production used real-life Northern Inuit dogs. Then, through some post-production wizardry, they were able to make these already-large canines look more like the hulking mythical wolves described in A Song of Ice and Fire. Retired from acting, Odin and Thor are now the resident Castle Ward Direwolves. They are happy to let you take some photos and make your family and friends jealous.
5. Castle Ward / Winterfell
Castle Ward estate is an 18th century mansion, noted for its unique architecture and its historic farmyard and for having been used as the location of Winterfell. You’ll see the gateway to Winterfell’s court yard, plus over 10 Game of Thrones filming locations portraying Westeros from the Riverlands to battle fields and more. Memorable scenes include Jamie and Briene of Tarth leaving Rob’s camp on their way to Kings Landing. You’ll see the notorious Twins home of Lord Walder Frey, Tyrion and Bronn’s first meeting after their trial in The Eyrie. Even the Tree under which King Robb Stark and Tulisa spoke their wedding vows.
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