game of thrones studio tour review

Game of Thrones Studio Tour Review (2024) & Magical Things to Do There!

By: Author Sophie Pearce

Posted on Last updated: January 20, 2024

Categories GAME OF THRONES , NORTHERN IRELAND

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Game of Thrones fans, did you know that there is a Game of Thrones Studio Tour in Northern Ireland?

It’s a completely immersive experience where you can walk through authentic film sets, and see costumes, props, and prosthetics from the show.

It’s based in Linen Mill Studios which was used to film much of the 8-series production that took us on an epic journey through the seven kingdoms of Westeros and Essos. 

You cannot miss it if you’re a fan. Here is my honest Game of Thrones Studio Tour review and if it’s worth visiting.

Warning: there will be major spoilers for the Game of Thrones Studio Tour in this post.

What is the Game of Thrones Studio Tour? 

The Game of Thrones Studio Tour is a new, immersive, and exciting way to relive the award-winning HBO fantasy series that took the world by storm.

You can visit a huge studio lot that has many of the original sets, props, costumes, and armour from the show.

The tour also allows you to go behind the scenes and learn about all the incredible teams and talent that went into creating this epic 8-series production.

As well as drooling over the memorabilia, there are plenty of games, restaurants, photo opportunities, and gift shops to enjoy too.

It’s a must-visit experience for any Game of Thrones fan visiting Northern Ireland. 

Where is the Game of Thrones studio tour located?

The Game of Thrones Studio Tour is set within Linen Mill Studios which is around a 30-minute drive from the city of Belfast in Banbridge, Northern Ireland. 

Linen Mill Studios was one of the major TV studios where they filmed the Game of Thrones series and many of the sets you will visit, such as Winterfell Great Hall, have not moved since production!

So, you will literally be walking in the footsteps of the actors on your visit. How cool is that?

Game of Thrones Studio Tour ticket prices & opening times

The Game of Thrones Studio Tour is not a cheap experience by any means but I felt that it was well worth the money, especially if you’re a fan.

Adult ticket prices are around £39.50 (46 euro) and this includes your studio tour, parking, and shuttle service. It will cost more if you book coach transfers. 

There are concessions for seniors and students (16+) at £31.50 (37 euro) and teens (13-15) are £15.50 (18 euro). Under 12s get in for free and there are family tickets available.

They sometimes have budget offers for weekday visits. So, it’s worth playing with the dates online to see if you can spot some discounts. 

You will need to book your tickets online before you visit. You choose a specific entry time and the tour is normally open from 10 am – 6.30 pm throughout the year. 

Click here to book your Game of Thrones Studio Tour tickets

How to get to the Game of Thrones Studio Tour 

There are many ways to visit the Game of Thrones Studio Tour even if you’re not driving in Ireland.

You can visit yourself by car or take one of the coach transfer services from Belfast or Dublin.

By Car & Game of Thrones Studio Tour shuttle bus 

Although you can find Linen Mill Studios on the map, you cannot park up there for the studio tour as there simply aren’t enough parking spaces.

So, on the day of your tour, you will need to make your way over to The Boulevard shopping centre in Banbridge and park in the Game of Thrones Studio Tour parking area. It’s completely free.

Once here, you can park up and head to their Game of Thrones Studio Tour welcome centre, check-in, and then wait for your shuttle bus service to the studios.

Your entry time on your ticket is your shuttle departure time. So, make sure to get to The Boulevard around 15 minutes before the entry slot just in case. 

A member of the team will collect you from the welcome centre and then guide you to the bus. It’s then less than 10 minutes travel time to the studios. 

Once you’re finished, you will then take the shuttle bus service back to The Boulevard.

Even if you’re not driving, you can get a bus to The Boulevard in Banbridge and get the shuttle bus the same way. 

You cannot get a taxi drop off at the studios, you will still need to be dropped off at the Boulevard and then get the shuttle. 

The Boulevard is around 30 minutes drive from central Belfast. You can find the location at the Game of Thrones Studios Parking Area, Outlet Park, Banbridge BT32 4LF. Click here for a Google Pin! 

By Coach Transfer from Belfast or Dublin 

If you’re heading to the studios from either Belfast or Dublin, the Game of Thrones Studio tour has some coach transfer services you can book.

These will pick you up from either city and then drop you off at the Studio Tour and head back after you’re finished.

If you were heading to the tour from Belfast, you don’t have to book a return there. You could easily book an onward transfer to Dublin. The same goes from Dublin to Belfast. 

Just pick that option at checkout. It’s a great and convenient way to break up the journey between the two destinations!

Alternatively, why not book the tour through Get Your Guide? You can easily book tickets there with a transfer. 

Things to do in the Game of Thrones Studio Tour

You will be amazed by the number of things that you can do at the Game of Thrones Studio Tour.

I went in blind and I actually spent way more time here than I originally intended to. 

Everything from the music, the quality of the exhibits, the authentic sets, and the gift shop was entirely immersive. Even the restaurants were top quality.

Here are all the magical things to do on the Game of Thrones Studio Tour. 

1. Go Beyond the Wall

So, there is a wee surprise for you as you enter the exhibition and I won’t spoil it for you but you start your self-guided journey off Beyond the Wall. It’s really cold, misty, and mysterious. 

Here, you can see costumes from the White Walkers, including the infamous Night King, members of The Watch, and Wildlings too. 

My favourite part was seeing one of the Free Folk Giants, Wun Weg Wun Dar Wun. It looked so lifelike and made a great photo opportunity. 

There was also a touching scene of Bran, Benjen, and Hodor used in the ‘Hold the Door’ scene *sniff*.

2. Discover Production Design 

I always find it amazing how initials sketches and designs on paper can transform into what we see on the screen!

In the Production Design area, you’ll find miniature versions of the great houses of Westeros and sketches of how they imagined the landscapes before filming.

There are interactive games to play and you can see into a production artist’s studio. How many places from the show do you recognise? 

3. Step into Castle Black

After you’ve explored Beyond the Wall, you make you’re way into Castle Black which is home to the Night’s Watch.

Here you can see sets and costumes of Jon Snow, Commander Jeor Mormont, Samwell Tarly, Maester Aemon, and Alliser Thorne. 

You’ll smell the smoke and the cracking of the fire. Admire Melisandre’s red dress or look at Sandor aka ‘The Hound’ in his cell. 

4. Crypt of Winterfell

You start your journey into House Stark at the Crypt of Winterfell where you’ll find familiar faces including Ned and his Direwolf. 

But, the best part was the fact that they had life-size statues of the Stark children; Jon, Sansa, and Arya.

Of course, Jon Snow is one of my favourite characters in the show so I had a few photos with him!

5. Walk through Winterfell Great Hall 

In my opinion, Winterfell Great Hall was the best set of the studio tour and I loved walking through the hall with all the different characters and costumes.

Although they filmed most of the exteriors at Castle Ward in County Down, the interiors were filmed at Linen Mill Studios.

So, when you walk through here you’re standing on the same floor that all the actors did whilst filming!

Look out for familiar costumes like Tyrion, Bran, and Sansa. See the flicker of flames in the candle chandeliers, smell the fire, and hear the sounds of the hearth.

7. Explore Dragonstone 

Next, you’ll explore Dragonstone Castle and see the infamous Painted Table with the map of Westeros. This is where the Targaryens and Baratheons planned their strategies for war.

You’ll find costumes for Ellaria Sand, Daenerys Targaryen, and Olenna Tyrell. Look out for all the different markers placed across the kingdoms.

After, you can visit the Dragonstone Throne which was the traditional seat for Targaryen heirs.

Also, look out for the huge dragon heads that look like they’ve travelled straight from the Red Keep Crypt. 

6. See costumes of your favourite characters

I dread to think how long it took for the production teams to create all of the costumes for Game of Thrones.

From the cloaks of the Night’s Watch, gold armour for Joffrey, and the fine dresses of the different courts. Thousands of hours and threads went into creating them.

Many of these works of art are on display here that were actually worn by the actors whilst filming.

There are hundreds on display from nearly all the main characters. You can really look closely to see the details that you can’t easily see on screen.

As much as I hated her, Cersei had some of the best costumes and dresses made by far. I loved her armour dress! 

8. Game of Thrones props & prosthetics

One of the most fascinating parts of production is the makeup and prosthetics. 

Although many of the White Walkers were played by human actors it would take hours to put on their masks and body paint to make them look the part.

Plus, many of the battle scenes needed false limbs and realistic-looking wounds. 

You can see all sorts of prosthetics on display like masks and full-sized body doubles. Even, Direwolf’s heads and baby dragons. 

Look out for all the props too. You’ll find goblets, dragon eggs, tapestries, books from the Citadel, and house sigil flags.

9. Put your own face in the Hall of Faces

The Hall of Faces in Game of Thrones is one of the creepiest parts of the series which is home to The Faceless Man of Braavos. 

In the show, Arya joins him to become a girl with no name and it’s a pretty hard watch. But, I loved the sets all the same.

In the Game of Thrones Studio Tour, you can actually put your own face in the Hall of Faces! 

Simply use one of the screens to take a photo of your face, press submit, and see your face pop up moments later. It’s a great photo opportunity (but not the most flattering lol). 

10. See the armoury and weapons used in the show 

Game of Thrones was filled with awesome swords from Arya’s Needle, Jaime’s Widow’s Wail, Jon’s Longclaw, and Brienne’s Oath Keeper. 

Plus, many other weapons were used like Tyrian’s Crossbow, axes, arrows, maces, and Oberyn Martell’s spear. Plus, there were shields, helmets, armour, and trebuchets etc.

You can see all of the weapons that were made for the show in the armoury and even get a photo with Longclaw! 

11. See Scoring in the Music Studio 

Music in fantasy shows can seriously make or break a production, I’m not kidding! 

The sound score counts for a lot more than you think. It really sets the scene and makes the audience feel like they are there. 

I’m a huge fan of the composer Bear McCreary who has made the music scores for shows like Outlander , Black Sails, The Witcher: Blood Origin, and Rings of Power .

But, the Game of Thrones music score was created by Ramin Djawadi. He composed the main theme tune and iconic songs like The Rains of Castamere . He’s since won several Grammy Awards.

You can see an interview with him on the studio tour. Have a look inside his mind and the process he took to create the music for the show. 

12. Play interactive games

Around the Game of Thrones Studio Tour, you can find plenty of interactive games to get involved with. In fact, I saw some in nearly every room.

You can have a go at archery, become a White Walker, put your face in the Hall of Faces, and many more.

It was so fun and the kids (and bigger kids) were having a blast with them! 

13. Walk through King’s Landing

My second favourite set of the studio tour is King’s Landing where you can enter the Map Room. 

You’ll notice that the room temperatures from Beyond the Wall have gradually been getting warmer in each room and you’ll find it very warm in King’s Landing.

In the Map Room, you’ll find costumes for Cersei and Jaime Lannister and you can walk into the Hand of the King’s meeting room. There are also costumes of Margaery Tyrell and Tommen Baratheon. 

This was one of the rooms which made me feel like I was really there in Westeros. The sounds, music, smells – everything came together to feel like you’d been transported to the Red Keep. 

14. Destroyed Throne Room

Lastly, you’ll walk through the Destroyed Throne Room which was featured in series 8 of the show.

Here, you’ll find Daenerys and Jon Snow in the destroyed Red Keep and you’ll be completely surrounded by rubble and mayhem.

If you look closely, you’ll see dragons flying overhead and you can take a picture with the famous Iron Throne. 

15. Have lunch in The Studio Café

If you feel like some food on your Game of Thrones Studio Tour you have two options to choose from.

One is the Lobby Café which is located at the entrance and serves up coffee, soft drinks, and light bites.

But, I particularly liked The Studio Café found around halfway through the tour.

I wasn’t really expecting much from the food to be honest as it was a studio tour. I thought it was going to be basic, mass-produced, and overpriced but boy was I wrong.

The restaurant here was really good and served up incredible hot dishes. I treated myself to a ham hock sandwich which came with chunky chips and it was delicious!

You’ll also find an all-day breakfast, salads, burgers, fish & chips, beef kebabs, and hot wings. Plus alcoholic drinks like beers and cocktails and desserts. It was really good value for money. 

16. See the Greyjoy ship in the lot 

Another one of the hidden gems at the Game of Thrones Studio Tour is the Greyjoy Ship in the parking lot.

It’s a huge wooden ship with a Kraken attached to it and it was used to film scenes with the Greyjoys in Pike.

You can’t board the ship, or really get close to it, but it is still cool to see it in the staff parking area. If you head to the smoking area near the mid-way toilets you can get a sneak peek there. 

17. Shop in the Game of Thrones Gift Shop

Is it even a tour if you don’t exit through a gift shop? In all seriousness, the Game of Thrones Studio Tour gift shop is actually worth browsing in. 

You’ll find all sorts of magical things to purchase here from t-shirts, jumpers, notebooks, keyrings, mugs, and pins.

There are souvenirs from every house in Westeros and even rare collector’s items. You’ll need lots of time to shop and enough funds in your bank account. It was all so tempting. 

18. Sit on the Iron Throne!

Something that everyone wants to do at the Game of Thrones Studio Tour is to sit on the Iron Throne. 

Well, the good news is that you can do that and get some awesome photos taken in the process.

You’ll take your seat in the king’s chair with a green screen behind you and get some spectacular photos that look like you’re in the Red Keep.

You can purchase digital copies, and physical copies and even make key rings and magnets. They make a great souvenir to remember your visit. 

How long does it take to do the Game of Thrones studio tour?

I would say that you will need at least 2-3 hours to complete the Game of Thrones Studio Tour. 

But, it entirely depends on you and how much you’re enjoying it! You could easily spend half a day there if you’re really keen. 

There is so much to see and do at the tour and super fans will be in their element with all the props, costumes, games, and sets. Plus, there is a restaurant to enjoy a delectable lazy lunch. 

I have to admit, I spent ages here as I was loving it so much. It was way more time than I originally intended to spend so make sure to plan enough time in your itinerary. 

Is the Game of Thrones Studio Tour worth it? 

100% YES! It’s not the cheapest experience by any means but visiting many of the real sets that are featured in the show is priceless.

There is so much to do here and the quality of the exhibits is incredible. I loved getting to see all the armour, weapons, costumes, and props that made up this fantasy world. 

Plus, there is some great food, photo opportunities, and gift shops as well. It’s incredibly immersive and Game of Thrones fans will be obsessed.

All the staff at the tour were really friendly and on hand to answer any questions. They are all big fans of the show.

They also helped me take many of the photos in my post as I was a solo visitor. So, big thanks for that!

Don’t skip visiting the Game of Thrones Studio Tour if you’re a fan, you won’t regret it. 

Game of Thrones Studio Tour FAQs

• How far is Game of Thrones studio from Belfast? It’s located in Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge. This is around 23 miles (37 km) or 30 minutes drive from the city. 
• C an you sit on Iron Throne in Game of Thrones Studio Tour? YES, well you can but in the gift shop. They have an iron throne to sit on in front of a green screen to take souvenir photos. Then, they make it look like you’re sitting in the throne room of the Red Keep. 
• Can you tour the Game of Thrones set in Belfast? Yes, you can at the Game of Thrones Studio Tour in Linen Mill Studios! There are many authentics sets that were used in the show. It’s a little out of Belfast but there are transfer services if you don’t plan to drive. 

Looking for more Game of Thrones in Northern Ireland?

If you’re visiting Northern Ireland to visit Game of Thrones attractions and filming locations, you’re in for a real treat. 

Although they did film in countries from around the world most of the show was filmed right here in Northern Ireland using countryside locations and production lots like Linen Mill Studios. 

So, there are plenty of places to track down as well as walking trails, shops, and experiences. Here is a mini guide on where you should head next. 

Belfast 

Although there aren’t many Game of Thrones filming locations in Belfast, there are places you can visit in the city that celebrate the show.

They filmed lots of the series in the Titanic Studios in Belfast. You can’t visit unfortunately but you can find a ‘ Glass of Thrones ’ walking trail in the Titanic Quarter. It’s completely free.

This is a series of stained glass windows with different houses and scenes from the show! You can find the Starks, Lannisters, Targaryens, and Baratheons and you can even sit on the Iron Throne. 

Or, why not head to the Ulster Museum to see the Game of Thrones Tapestry ? It’s a 90-metre-long tapestry that has scenes from every episode from The Red Wedding to the Mad Queen. 

If that’s not enough, you can visit themed escape rooms, a Game of Thrones door, Steenston’s Jewellers who designed the jewellery and crowns for the show, and where the cast used to go out to drink. 

County Down

Just a few hours south of Belfast you can visit the gorgeous County Down that’s home to many filming locations from Game of Thrones.

My favourite has to be Tollymore Forest which played Winterfell Forest in the first series. You can visit the wildlings pit, where the Starks found the direwolves, and more. 

After, you must make your way over to Inch Abbey , a beautiful ruin near Downpatrick. This is where Robb Stark sets up camp and learns of his father’s untimely demise. 

Or, why not visit Winterfell by heading to Castle Ward ? There are over 20 filming locations here, including Audley’s Field and you can even take archery lessons in the Winterfell courtyard!

County Antrim 

Heading north of Belfast, there are some amazing filming locations that you can visit on the way up to the Causeway Coast.

You can visit Braavos in the form of Carnlough Harbour where Arya ends up and heads to the Hall of Faces.

Cushendun Caves was used to film part of the Stormlands of House Baratheon. This is where Ser Davos Seaworth rows the Red Priestess Melisandre to the caves to have her creepy Shadow Baby.

Just north of there, you can visit Fairhead or the cliffs of Dragonstone where Jon Snow meets Daenerys’ dragons, or visit Murlough Bay which they used for Slaver’s Bay. 

Dark Hedges 

I’m going to put the Dark Hedges as an item on its own as it was one of my favourite Northern Ireland Game of Thrones filming locations.

Although it only featured for a few moments in the show, it’s now one of the most popular places to visit in the country. 

The Dark Hedges played Kings Road in series 2 where we see Arya, Hot Pie, and Gendry escape from Kings Landing. 

You can park outside the Dark Hedges Hotel and make your way over to Bregagh Road. Make sure to visit earlier or later in the day for fewer crowds.

Click here to read my complete guide for visiting the Dark Hedges

Causeway Coast & Glens 

One of my favourite areas for chasing down Game of Thrones filming locations has to be the magical Causeway Coast home of the Giant’s Causeway.

Here, you can find amazing locations like Ballintoy Harbour which was used to play the port of Pyke in the Iron Islands.

You can then head down to the road to the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge that they used as inspiration for the bridge of Castle Greyjoy. 

Larrybane Quarry is right next door where King Renly set up his camp and Catelyn Stark visits to negotiate. 

Dunluce Castle was used for filming Pyke Castle with a bit of magical CGI or you can head to the Mussenden Temple and Downhill Beach to visit Dragonstone Temple. 

Although the Giant’s Causeway was not used in Game of Thrones, it’s still an incredible place to visit as it’s mired in magic, myth, and legends. I would recommend heading there at sunset.

Or you can visit hidden gems like Kinbane Castle which sits on the cliffs, Dunseverick with its ruined castle and waterfall, or catch a ferry over to Raithlin Island. 

Journey of Doors trail 

A great way to visit all of the Game of Thrones filming locations in Northern Ireland is to follow the Journey of Doors trail.

If you weren’t aware of the  Journey of Doors trail , the beech trees at the Dark Hedges were damaged some years ago due to over-tourism, and some of them were sadly knocked down.

A group of clever artists re-purposed the wood and made a series of Game of Thrones doors.

The doors were gifted to pubs dotted around Northern Ireland. Many of these pubs were places that the cast/crew used to eat, drink or sleep in after filming!

When you visit all filming locations, remember to eat/dine in these pubs and see the doors. You can get your Game of Thrones passport stamped at each one.

Click here to see how you can find all 10 Game of Thrones doors

Read more of my Ireland travel guides

Marsh’s Library – visit the oldest public library in Ireland

How to visit Ballysaggartmore Towers Ireland

How to visit the Pollnagollum Cave Game of Thrones location

How to capture Deck of Cards Cobh

How to find the Umbrella Street Dublin

How to find the Umbrella Street Belfast 

How to visit Lough Tay aka Guinness Lake

How to find the Ballinastoe Boardwalk in Wicklow

How to spend 4 days in Dublin

Cliffs of Moher group tour

Guinness Storehouse in Dublin review

Save this Game of Thrones Studio Tour Review for later! 

A Guide To The Game of Thrones Studio Tour In Banbridge

By Author Gillian Birch

Posted on Last updated: September 28, 2022

Opened in early 2022, the Game of Thrones Studio Tour is a fantastic day out in Banbridge!

And, while many of the Game of Thrones filming locations in Ireland are outdoors, this is an entirely indoor (and rain-free!) attraction.

It allows fans of the TV series to explore actual sets, see the costumes and learn more about how the epic TV series was filmed.

It includes behind the scenes experiences, special effects, set designs and more, as you’ll discover below.

Table of Contents

Some quick need-to-knows about the Game Of Thrones Studio Tour

Courtesy of Game of Thrones Studio Tour via Ireland’s Content Pool

Although a visit to the Game of Thrones tour in Banbridge is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.

1. Location

The Game of Thrones Studio Tour takes place in Banbridge in Donw, in the actual Linen Mill Studios where the series was made. It is located 24 miles southwest of Belfast.

2. No on-site parking

There is no onsite parking, so visitors must park or be dropped off at the Studio Tour Car Park and board the complimentary shuttle bus to the studio entrance.  

3. Opening hours   

The studio is open 7 days a week. Opening times vary as shown below according to seasonal demand:

• Jan-March and Oct-Dec: Open from 09:30 with last tour admissions at 15:30 (store and building close at 18:30 with last shuttle transfers at 19:00)
• April-June and Sept: Open from 09:00 with last tour admissions at 17:30 (store and building close at 20:30 with last shuttle transfers at 21:00)
• July/August:  Open from 08:30 with last tour admissions at 18:00 (store and building close at 21:00 with last shuttle transfers at 21:30)

Tour admission for adults is £39.50 and £27.50 for accompanied children aged 5-15 years.  Seniors and student admission is £31.50. Family tickets are available from £109 to £115, depending on number in party. Group tickets are available for 10-24 guests.

5. Tours are self-guided

There are no guided tour at Game of Thrones Studio. Visitors enjoy a self-guided tour at their own pace making it a personal experience. For additional information, there is an optional audio guide available which can be purchased with your ticket or via the app. 

6. How long they last

Most visitors spend 2-3 hours touring the studio. However, it is a self-guided tour so you can spend as long as you wish in any of the sections. You can take a break for lunch or snacks and then return, and of course you’ll need time to browse for souvenirs in the gift shop. 

About the Games of Thrones Studio

The Game of Thrones Studio Tour is in the authentic filming location of this popular TV series. This former Linen Mill on the outskirts of Banbridge provides a wealth of insight and information for fans. 

Opened in February 2022, the new £48 million Game of Thrones Studio Tour allows visitors to be among the first to step onto a dozen original sets and absorb the atmosphere in sets such as the Winterfell Great Hall. 

See where the idea was born and created by the visionary artists who interpreted the written word of George R.R.Martin, bringing the land of Westeros into reality. 

Follow the journey from script to screen in the making and filming of this cult story. 

See for yourself the Hall of Faces, the Crypts of Winterfell and many other sets from seasons 1 through 8. It’s awesome!

What you’ll see on the Game of Thrones Studio Tour

One of the reasons the studio is quickly becoming one of the more popular places to visit in Northern Ireland is due to the volume of things there are to see, such as:

1. Artistic journals   

Visitors can see the initial sketches of the King’s Landing, Castle Black and Winterfell as part of the exhibits of the Artistic Journals and records. See how the artists brought the text into being. 

2. The early sketches

Continue to follow the development of the series as the initial sketches take form and the unforgettable sets are created in 3D. You’ll recognise many of the locations represented Castle Black, King’s Landing and Winterfell. Follow the story through every twist and turn as relayed onscreen.

3. Visual and special effects

The power of the story comes vividly to life onscreen (and in the tour) through the futuristic visual and special effects used in the series. Learn how the award-winning Visual and Special Effects team created whole armies of living and dead characters, how epic battles were played out to create a realistic effect and learn the secrets of those fire-breathing dragons! 

4. Green screens 

Experience the latest visual effects techniques known as Green Screens that were used in the making of Game of Thrones. It involves overlaying two images or video streams using – you guessed it – green screen backgrounds. Once filming is complete, the filmmaker can replace the green backdrop with a digital background as part of the final production process. 

5. Makeup and prosthetics

The mythical creatures that inhabitat the lawless lands north of The Wall are all created through detailed artistry. See how the makeup and prosthetics team create scary giants, White Walkers and the Children of the Forest that inhabit the Seven Kingdoms using advanced skills in makeup and prosthetics. 

6. Pros, set decoration and armoury

Craftsmen bring to life everything from amazing dragon eggs to authentic rustic drinking horns. It all takes place in the Props and Set decoration studios where rich artistic detail and intricate layers add physical reality to the set. Learn how weapons are created including mediaeval crossbows, rusty blades and dragon glass and listen to tales of how they were brought to life.  

7. Costumes

The award-winning costume department puts on show the intricately detailed designs for costumes used by the Game of Thrones characters. Pick your favourite character and recognise the iconic costumes they wore including Sansa’s wedding dress and Jon Snow’s furs. 

Places to visit near the Game of Thrones Studio

One of the beauties of the GoT studio is that it’s a short spin away from many of the best places to visit in Down .

Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do a stone’s throw from sfsdfsdfsdfdsfsdf (plus places to eat and where to grab a post-adventure pint!).

1. Food in Banbridge (5-minute drive)

Photos via Jinglers Restaurant on FB

Banbridge is a lovely little town with some great restaurants, bars and cafes. If you’re looking for a pint and bar food, try A J Quinn on Scarva Street. Blend and Batch is a local cafe serving breakfast, lunch and light bites until 4pm and their coffee is legendary. Harry’s Bar and Kitchen on Dromore Street serves tasty meals and snacks Wednesdays through Sundays. 

2. Slieve Croob (35-minute drive)

Photos via Shutterstock

Enjoy a lovely ramble around Slieve Croob while you’re in the area. It takes about 1.5 hours to complete. It is quite steep in places but the stunning views from the top are worth it, especially at sunset.  

3. Montalto Estate (35-minute drive)

Located at Ballynahinch, the Montalto Estate is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 09.30 to 16.00. It’s a place to reconnect with nature with various trails, lakes and gardens to explore. Walks range from under one mile to 1.7 miles with the chance to encounter birds, kingfishers and other woodland wildlife.

4. Kilbroney Park (35-minute drive)

23 miles south of Banbridge, Kilbroney Park is located in Rostrevor. This free attractions include a two-mile forest drive with panoramic views across Carlingford Lough, a play park, tennis, cafe and visitor centre. Don’t miss the colossal Cloughmore Stone and learn its origins including the legend of Finn MacCool and his battle with the Scottish Giant!

FAQs about the Game of Throne Banbridge studio

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.

How long is the game of thrones Studio Tour?

Most visitors spend 2-3 hours however, as this is a self-guided tour you can spend as long as you wish in any of the sections.

Where is Game of Thrones Studio Tour?

The GoT studio can be found in Banbridge in County Down, around a 35-minute drive from Belfast City Centre.

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Game of Thrones studio tour review: A mesmerising treat for fans of all ages

We took a trip down to Northern Ireland's newest visitor attraction and were blown away by the impressive world-class set-up outside Banbridge

• 20:57, 11 JUN 2022

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Just over a decade ago a show aired which would change the face of television, and Northern Ireland's public image, forever.

Game of Thrones was a global phenomenon, a juggernaut which catapulted its stars to stratospheric fame and the world found itself looking at our wee country in a new light.

In 2010, it is safe to say the screen industry here was still in its infancy, but HBO's decision to base the majority of filming for its latest show in Northern Ireland was key to transforming the sector into what we see today.

Read more: Film chiefs on hunt to fill slot for Titanic Studios after major show cancelled

Spotting some of the world's biggest stars shooting their latest projects on the streets of Belfast is now commonplace with the likes of Kevin Hart, Charlize Theron and Nicole Kidman calling Northern Ireland home lately.

The story of how we became the rising star of filming locations is intrinsically tied to Game of Thrones and its unprecedented success.

The cameras may have stopped rolling on the world's biggest TV show, but the buzz around Game of Thrones is set to continue indefinitely as fans continue to devour every detail and new devotees are born, especially with the imminent release of the prequel, House of the Dragon.

And there is no better place to appreciate and discover the true magic behind the show than one of the actual filming locations which have just been turned into the Game of Thrones Studio Tour.

Linen Mill Studios, outside Banbridge, was one of the original filming locations of the show and is now a fan's paradise with everything from costumes and props to actual parts of the set, telling the story of how the show was brought to life.

My husband and I have been fans of the show from the beginning. He started watching it first and tried to get me on board. I was sceptical at first, I didn't think a fantasy show would be my thing - but from the first episode, I was hooked.

So when the opportunity came up to explore what the show left Northern Ireland as its legacy, I jumped at the chance.

Best of all, the tour is family-friendly so we headed down with our young son in tow to bring him behind the scenes and show him how a TV show is brought to life. An excellent education experience considering the opportunities now on our doorstep within the industry.

He was just very excited he was going to get to see dragons and knights with swords - it was a win for everybody.

The set-up is as slick as you would imagine for something that has been given the thumbs up from HBO.

The tour begins with a green screen photo opportunity, always a big hit in the age of social media, before you are ushered into a room that screens a video intro for the tour.

Clips from the show flash before you as cast member Nathalie Emmanuel narrates the show's success before the secret entrance is revealed.

This section is quite loud but staff are on hand with ear defenders for little ones or anyone with sensory needs who may find this too much.

It is a self-guided tour so from this point you are free to explore and take in each section at your own pace. The sheer amount there is to see is unbelievable. Reflecting back I already want to return as I know there are bits I missed or skimmed over.

Every single part has been well thought out, even the temperature changes as you walk through the tour which starts in the north and ends in the south of Westeros.

The staff on hand are so helpful and clearly big fans of the show who are keen to talk about their favourite parts of the tour, with many even having starred as extras and willing to open up about the secrets they gleamed from filming.

I've previously visited the Harry Potter studio tour in Watford but there is something more intimate and special about what is being offered with the Game of Thrones version.

There is a real pride you can feel from those working here, a passion to share their love of the show, and joy at how it has transformed the screen industry here and put us on the map. You just can't beat that spark people here have and it really makes the experience what it is.

As you journey through the tour there are numerous interactive activities our son adored. From creating your own House crest to fighting off White Walkers with a bow and arrow and putting your face in the Hall of Faces.

The TV show itself may not be suitable for all the family, but the tour brings out the best bits of the show for everyone which means kids can enjoy it.

One of the surprising aspects of the tour was the great food on offer in the restaurant. Sometimes it's easy to dismiss on-site catering at popular attractions as some are definitely less than impressive.

But the restaurant at the Game of Thrones Studio Tour is on another level. The space itself is very modern with a lovely bar for those who fancy a tipple, and the menu is not what you may expect with food with a little flare on offer.

I opted for the hot and spicy wings with chips, while my partner went for the fish and chips and our son, the fish fingers and chips. Now he is a tricky customer to impress so when he sat and happily ate away at his meal, we were over the moon.

The meal was delicious and a special shout-out for the chips as they were my idea of heaven on a plate, just perfect. Again, the staff were super friendly and helpful and made sure our son had a high chair and anything else to make our dining experience enjoyable.

They also offer a pretty good family meal deal, lunch and a soft drink for two adults and two children for £38.

Refuelled and ready to go, we headed back out to explore the rest of the tour.

For me, the highlights were the interactive experiences, watching my son giggling away or watching his mouth hang open as he got close to giant dragon heads and knights.

The number of people it takes to bring a show like Game of Thrones to life is mind-boggling, the amount of detail that went into every costume, each weapon, and the various sets. You get a true understanding of this on the tour.

The legacy the show leaves behind for Northern Ireland is one we should be extremely grateful for, not only for what it has done for the screen industry, but also for tourism.

It was a game-changer.

It was previously reported to have brought £251m into the economy since production began in 2010. Other figures suggest 350,000 people come to Northern Ireland every year just for Game of Thrones - that is one in six leisure visitors.

So Game of Thrones may be over but it lives on within the walls of the studio tour and it is something we should all appreciate, even if you did not watch the show.

It gave us an opportunity to shift the conversation around Northern Ireland, change the headlines and build on something new.

So make sure you take some time and bring the family down to marvel at the role our country played in creating one of the biggest shows in the world.

Read more: Derry Girls' Granda Joe says Tommy Tiernan was 'quiet' on Channel 4 set

Read more: NI's Blu Hydrangea excited to front new 'fast-paced and fun' BBC show

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‘Game of Thrones’ Studio Tour review

‘Game of Thrones’ Studio Tour opens in Northern Ireland

The $54.3m (£40m) visitor attraction features replicas of key settings from the show and actual film sets and is 11,000sqft, but is it any good?

Whilst filming for Game of Thrones may have been completed in 2018, the spirit of the show is thriving in Northern Ireland, where parts of the scenic countryside served as the setting for much of Winterfell.

Last week the Game of Thrones studio opened to the public and MarkMeets were invited along to the launch for a special preview so help bring the magic of the fantasy series back to life for fans in a production for WION Edge.

Imagine yourself in King’s Landing, Winterfell, Dragonstone, The Wall, or in the kingdoms across the Narrow Sea, such as Mereen and Braavos. Fans will love some of the show’s original sets, as well as costumes, props, and set pieces.

The iron throne from ‘Game of Thrones’ is on display at the new Game of Thrones Studio Tour at Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge, Northern Ireland is well worth a look and we recommend you make a weekend of it!

Located in Banbridge, County Down, which is a 30-minute drive south of Belfast , the £40 million ($54.3m) visitor attraction features replicas of key settings from the show, including Dragonstone castle and the Chamber of the Painted Table, the main hall inside Dragonstone.

You can also follow in the footsteps of the actors who brought the Game of Thrones characters to life.

Wherever you look, there are half-built dragons and monsters, weapons, costumes and props that you’ll have seen on screen and wondered how they were created.

There are actual film sets to be explored too, including the Great Hall at Winterfell, as well as costumes, body-double dummies and interactive experiences.

The Banbridge studios are home to the Winterfell Great Hall – on the set, surrounded by the actual costumes with their intricate detailing, you stand where Kit Harrington, Peter Dinklage and Sean Bean have stood before you.

“Northern Ireland is the home of [Game of] Thrones,” said Claire Moles, head of marketing for the studio tour to The Independent. “It happened right here. This is where the story really began … where over a third of all the Northern Ireland Game of Thrones filming took place.”

It is hoped that the studio tour will attract tourists to Northern Ireland, where tourism has struggled to pick up amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Game of Thrones as “the gift that keeps on giving.”

“When this pandemic finally ends, this is going to be such an incredible attraction for the fans.”

Natalia Tena, who played the wildling Osha in Game of Thrones and Nymphadora Tonks in the Harry Potter films, visited ahead of the launch and felt emotional returning to the sets and locations. “When I got in last night, I kind of nearly cried,” “I felt really nostalgic landing into Belfast, coming out of the airport. “It was just such a big part of my life, coming here and working on the show.”

The Game of Thrones story has not yet concluded. This year, HBO is releasing House of the Dragon, a prequel to the original series that is set about 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones. It tells the story of House Targaryen and a civil war that takes place within the family.

The show stars Paddy Considine (The Outsider), Olivia Cooke (Ready Player One), Emma D’Arcy (Truth Seekers), Matt Smith (The Crown, Doctor Who), Steve Toussaint (It’s a Sin, Doctor Who), Eve Best (Nurse Jackie, The King’s Speech), Rhys Ifans (Notting Hill, The Amazing Spider-Man) and Sonoya Mizuno (Ex Machina, Crazy Rich Asians).

A release date for the series has not yet been announced.

The studio can be found approximately 25 miles (40 km) from Belfast.

Tickets are £39.95 for adults and £27.50 for children.

Buy Tickets – Game of Thrones Studio Tour at gameofthronesstudiotour.com

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

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Game of Thrones Studio Tour Admission Ticket

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Official Game of Thrones Studio Tour - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

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Is the new Game of Thrones studio tour any good?

Ed potton fights zombies and braves the merchandise at belfast’s new attraction.

‘D o you think you’re all brave enough to journey beyond the Wall?” asks the guide as the drawbridge is raised with an ominous rumble. Channelling our inner Jon Snows, we follow her down the torchlit tunnel. Moments later I am standing face to face — or rather face to hip — with the 14ft giant known to his friends as Wun Wun. His fists are as big as my head. The Game of Thrones Studio Tour has a scale and drama that befits the show, much of which was shot right here at Linen Mill Studios, 25 miles from Belfast. Over the next two hours I will stare into the blue eyes of the Night King, design a sigil for House Potton, fire dragonglass arrows

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Amazing opening day!!! - Official Game of Thrones Studio Tour

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Amazing opening day!!!

The tour is simply breathtaking! We were fortunate to be amongst the first ever visitors to visit the studio tour and were greeted with a red carpet entrance and were lucky enough to meet some of the actors. An absolute once-in-a-lifetime experience, that could not be topped. However, our expectations were truly exceeded once we entered the tour!! The Tour guides were so well versed in all of their Game of Thrones knowledge and were giving us amazing behind-the-scenes secrets about the series. We pretty much spoke to every staff member in every single room of the tour and a few staff members who were lucky enough to be extras on the show (John for example) and had even more amazing stories to tell us!!! There were also some amazing photo opportunities, and lots of interactive experiences to do at the tour! The café had a lot of different options, we didn’t end up getting a meal however we did get desserts and I would highly recommend the lemon cake!! I would also like to add that the gift shop at the end was very reasonably priced and a lot of amazing options in there. If I can give one bit of constructive criticism to the tour it’s about transport from Belfast. It’s very difficult if you didn’t book the specific coach from the city centre. We ended up getting two buses to reach the shuttle bus, and missed the last bus on the way back and had to walk 40 minutes. So anyone who doesn’t drive I highly recommend getting the shuttle straight from Belfast. But just to end this, congratulations to all of the staff members for an amazing opening day of the studio tour. I wish I asked for everyone’s name so I can name all the amazing people I interacted with!

As a pretty die hard fan of the show, the studio tour was a must see and I'm pleased to say I wasn't disappointed. Very well laid out and the exhibits are wonderful. Plenty of behind the scenes info and displays showcasing the efforts of the unsung heroes in the crew as well. The detail in the props is staggering. The staff were friendly and helpful too. It has all been completed to a standard of professionalism that you would expect in a studio tour in London or in the states.

The tour is a must for GOT fans. It’s spectacular! Not only that but everyone who works there is super knowledgeable- a lot of the crew were actually extras in the show. Any questions you might have they are there to answer them. The sets, the costumes - everything is absolutely magical. We went on the opening day and it was truly an experience like no other. I definitely recommend it. There’s also a cafe that does amazing lemon cakes! The only negative is getting there if you haven’t paid for the shuttle bus from Belfast and can’t drive- it’s practically impossible. It takes two buses and if you want to stay till closing - you’re faced with a dreadful forty minutes walk as one of the said buses finishes really early. Other than that, it’s absolutely worth every penny. The souvenir shop at the end is really reasonably priced as well!

I went on the new Game of Thrones studio tour, which is home to the infamous Iron Throne and an interactive Hall of Faces

• A new Game of Thrones studio tour, which cost $54 million to build, has opened to the public.
• It is located in one of the show's filming locations in Banbridge, Northern Ireland.
• I took the studio tour and saw some of the original sets, props, and costumes.

An official Game of Thrones Studio Tour has opened to the public in Northern Ireland, where much of the series was filmed.

At 110,000 square feet, the tour features a host of original costumes, props and sets used during the filming of the TV show, including the iconic Iron Throne.

The tour is tucked away in Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge, Northern Ireland. The studios are where a significant number of the show's most memorable scenes were shot.

Once a linen plant, the site was adapted by HBO to create a studio for Game of Thrones in 2012. According to the studios' general manager, Brad Kelly, it cost upwards of $54 million to transform the studios into a visitor attraction.

Kelly told Insider that HBO announced plans to create a Game of Thrones visitor attraction in 2018, but the pandemic delayed the project a number of times. It was opened to the public on February 4, and I joined the tour one week later.

The tour is packed with original costumes, props, and sets used in filming. The first section of the tour — Beyond the Wall — features original costumes worn by The Night King and Jon Snow.

One staff member told me that the original model of Wun Wun the giant used in filming was too high to fit inside the studios and had to be arranged in a kneeling position.

The tour is interactive and immersive throughout. It has a section dedicated to production design and art, where you can design your own sigil.

At every stage of the tour, staff were waiting to fill guests in on the small details. One staff member told me that the small budget for the first series meant the costume design team used rugs from IKEA as capes.

I was able to walk right up to these authentic statues to snap some photos. One member of staff - who was also an extra on the show - told me they are true to the actors' heights.

"There's a lot of intimacy in the visitor experience, you can get close to all the design features, the costumes, some of which you wouldn't see when watching the show," Kelly told Insider.

If you're a fan, the most captivating portion of the tour is Winterfell's Great Hall. The hall is home to some of the series' most important moments...

... including when Brienne of Tarth is knighted by Jaime Lannister.

Scenes in the hall were filmed in Linen Mill Studios. According to Kelly, the set remained in its original location and the studio tour was built around it.

The tour features a section dedicated entirely to costumes, where you can see Daenerys Targaryen's white fur coat and Cersei Lannister's coronation gown.

Just across from the costume display, you can see the set of the Dragonstone map room.

There is also an interactive section where you can learn more about the prosthetics used to bring the show's characters to life...

... and you can add your own face to the Hall of Faces.

The armory displays some of the weapons and props which were used on set.

The tour finishes at King's Landing, where you can see the grand map courtyard, small council chamber and King Tommen's living quarters.

The last exhibit is the room containing the Iron Throne. According to one staff member, the series' most famous prop was created using weapons from other film franchises.

After finishing the tour, there's also space for visitors to debrief, buy some food or a souvenir. You can even snap a picture on a replica of the Iron Throne.

According to Tourism Northern Ireland, one in 6 people comes to the region to visit Game of Thrones filming locations, contributing over £250 million ($335 million) to the local economy in total.

Kelly told Insider that he was being "pragmatic" about the revival of Northern Ireland's tourism industry in the wake of the pandemic, but hoped to welcome around half a million visitors to the studios in 2022.

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Rumor: The Finals Dev Reportedly Making Game of Thrones Game

A new Game of Thrones video game is reportedly in the works, and The Finals' developer Nexon is rumored to be in charge of it.

• Nexon, known for The Finals, is reportedly working on a Game of Thrones MMORPG similar to Diablo Immortal's format.
• The rumored game will reportedly be set in the North, between Seasons 4 and 5, with Winterfell and The Wall as main settings.
• Despite fan excitement, Nexon has yet to confirm the existence of the Game of Thrones MMORPG, so this info should be taken with a grain of salt.

The Finals developer Nexon is reportedly working on a new game based on Game of Thrones . Nexon saw a lot of success with the release of The Finals last December, and it seems like the developer is looking to replicate this with the popular book franchise and HBO show.

Game of Thrones has had a number of video game adaptations in the past, but most had mixed reviews from fans and critics. Game of Thrones: A Telltale Games Series showed a lot of promise, but it was canceled after one season when Telltale Games closed (and eventually reopened) in 2018. Meanwhile, one of the highest-rated Game of Thrones titles with an 84% Metacritic score is Reigns: Game of Thrones , which is a strategy game with a swiping mechanic similar to a dating app.

New Multiplayer Game Looks Like Playable Waterworld

According to a report by Redanian Intelligence , Nexon is reportedly working on a new Game of Thrones MMORPG. The still-untitled project is said to be an online game, which is similar to Diablo Immortal 's format . The report also claims that players can choose between male and female characters, which may mean they'll play customized characters and not as one of the original Game of Thrones characters.

What is the New Game of Thrones Game Reportedly About?

The story of Nexon's Game of Thrones MMORPG is still unknown, but the report states that it will be set in the North, with Winterfell and The Wall as the main settings, and the timeline will be between Seasons 4 and 5. It adds that other kingdoms will be featured as well, but there's no information about them yet. Nexon has yet to confirm the existence of the Game of Thrones MMORPG , so fans should take this with a grain of salt for now.

Some Game of Thrones fans seem excited about the idea of a Game of Thrones MMORPG, with one saying that the franchise deserves a The Witcher -style story and gameplay. Meanwhile, others said they're skeptical about the quality of the rumored game, especially with the reputation of MMORPGs being microtransaction-heavy.

Nexon is known for developing the popular MMORPG MapleStory , so it wouldn't be surprising that it would be delving into this genre for the rumored Game of Thrones title. Its vast universe would give the MMORPG a lot of content to pull from, but it might also become too overwhelming in the long run.

Framed as a game show, The Finals is a free-to-play multiplayer shooter that also supports melee combat. Embark's FPS emphasizes destruction along with teamwork.

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