Game of Thrones locations that you can visit in United Kingdom

I am a HUGE fan of ‘Game of Thrones’ and the A Song of Ice and Fire saga. I think the adaptation of the show, especially on the first seasons, is one of the best adaptation work in the history of TV. And of course an important part of that is choosing right where to film the scenes. In that HBO has excelled, choosing some amazing locations for filming the show. I have collected some here that you can visit during your travels, to give a little spice to your trip. Game of Thrones has been filmed in six countries: Croatia, Iceland, Spain, United Kingdom (mostly Northern Iceland), Morocco and Malta. This post is focused on the filming locations in United Kingdom. You can find links to the rest of the locations in the end of the page.

*Disclaimer: if you are not up to date with the show you may find spoilers in this article. Proceed at your own peril!

United Kingdom

Game of Thrones filming heart is in Belfast, so there are many locations around in Northern Ireland (and one in Scotland). Northern Ireland mostly doubles as the North and the Iron Islands, although there are some exceptions to this rule.

Dark Hedges, Ballymoney, Northern Ireland (King’s Road)

The Dark Hedges is probably one of the most beautiful roads in the world, so it’s no mystery why the producers chose it to film the King’s Road, the most important road in the Seven Kingdoms. You can see it in the show when Arya escapes from King’s Landing disguised as a boy with Yoren and the recruits for the Night’s Watch.

Ballintoy Harbor, Northern Ireland ( Iron Islands)

The small fishing harbour of Ballintoy doubles as the Lordsport Harbour when Theon Greyjoy returns home in season 2 and again throughout the series.

Tollymore Forest Park, Northern Ireland (Forest in the North, Beyond the Wall)

The Tollymore Forest Park is a fantastic forest right beneath the Mourne Mountains that are perfect for a hike, especially in the fall. In the very first episode, the Night’s Watch encounter the first White Walker here, and it is also here where Ned and the Starks (and Greyjoy and Snow/Targaryen) find the direwolf pups. Later in the show, Theon escapes from Ramsey through these woods.

Photo credit: Albert Bridge with CC BY 2.0

Doune Castle, Scotland (Winterfell)

Doune Castle is the only location in this section that is not in Northern Ireland but in Scotland. Many of the scenes of Winterfell were taken here using the stone walls and the courtyard. You can also see this castle in Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Photo credit: Anne-Lise Heinrichs with CC BY 2.0

Murlough Bay, Northern Ireland (Iron Islands)

Murlough Bay is another part of Northern Ireland that serves as the Iron Islands. In this case, you can see it when Theon and Yara ride to Pyke when Theon first arrives to the islands in season 2.

Photo credit: Kyle Monahan with CC BY 2.0

Cushendun Caves, Northern Ireland (Storm’s End)

Cushendun Caves appear also in season 2, when Davos sails Melissandre to Storm’s End. There she gives birth to the shadow inside the cave to kill Renly Baratheon.

Photo credit: jbdodane with CC BY-NC 2.0

Downhill Strand, Northern Ireland (Dragonstone)

Dushendun Caves appear also in season 2, when Davos sails Melissandre to Storm’s End. There she gives birth to the shadow inside the cave to kill Renly Baratheon.

Photo credit: fs-phil with CC BY-SA 2.0

Closing statement

The world is a fantastic set for many movies and series, and in Game of Thrones they have done a remarkable job at transporting us to Westeros and the other sites in the World of Ice and Fire. Discover the other filming locations in the links below:

→ ‘Game of Thrones’ locations that you can visit in Croatia

→ ‘Game of Thrones’ locations that you can visit in Iceland

→ ‘Game of Thrones’ locations that you can visit in Spain

→ ‘Game of Thrones’ locations that you can visit in Morocco

→ ‘Game of Thrones’ locations that you can visit in Malta

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