Memorable Game of Thrones Tour Northern Ireland

Game of Thrones Tour & Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland

A trip to the magical Giant’s Causeway is on the top of most visitors’ list when visiting Northern Ireland.  One of the most photographed natural sights in the UK, this unusual area of rock formations features in numerous natural history programmes, films and photo shoots. It’s a place of myths and legends as well as a very large National Trust visitor centre!

The Giant’s Causeway is less than 2 hours by road from Belfast which makes it the perfect day trip. I was very grateful to be offered the chance for my friend and I to join an extended tour that also takes in the beautiful north coast of Ireland. Along the way visiting some of the filming locations for the award winning series The Game of Thornes (GOT from now on). Fans you will have to excuse my lack of knowledge about the show, but knowing it’s a fantasy set in a mythical land 2000 years ago then the scenery certainly fits. This post is definitely one where the pictures need to do the talking  – although our driver was pretty fond of that too!

The Game of Thornes Tour

Setting off on a coach from Victoria Street in Belfast our lively driver and commentator kept us well informed for the whole day with an amazing array of local history, facts from the film and the best places for taking photos.

Carrickfergus Castle to Carnlough Harbour

The drive North out of Belfast takes you along the pretty coast to Carrickfergus. This was a short stop for photos and a chance for some to take advantage of the capes and prop swords on offer for some fun photos. 

Our next stop was Carnlough Harbour, a pretty fishing harbour. Known in GOT as Bravoss,  it’s where Ayra crawls out of the water up some steps escaping Waif.  It turns out she’d actually been thrown into the water in Spain and by the magic of film editing 2000 miles just disappears. On a more practical note there was a handy convenience store here and time to grab a snack or a coffee out of the machine.

Drive along the beautiful Northern Coast of Ireland 

The road hugs the coastline of County Antrim and it’s easy to see Scotland just 12 miles away across the Firth of Forth.  The weather was kind to us so we were blessed with blue sea, rocky outcrops and cliff faces and the dramatic hidden Valley of Galboly and Cushendun Caves as we hugged the coast road to Waterfoot.

Away from the coast we passed high over desolate moorland that was the location of many of the battle scenes. I can imagine there would have been some pretty miserable days filming there in the wind and the rain but it’s certainly atmospheric.

Carrick a Rede

A visit to Carrick-a-Rede requires a longer stop if you want to take a trip to the little island. It’s not for the faint hearted as there are steep steps and then a 20m rope bridge suspended 100 metres above the sea. It’s a National Trust site so requires payment if you are not a member (£15.50 for adults). Our trip stopped at a viewing point which was a good compromise,  although I’d go back again given the chance.

The Dark Hedges

Top of the list for GOT fans is a photo opportunity at The Dark Hedges. This film set ‘Kingsroad’ is a long row of beech trees that were planted 200 years ago to a make a grand entrance to Gracehill House, a Georgian Mansion.

Originally there were over 150 trees planted. Over time some of these have been lost to storms but the remaining approximately 80 trees arch eerily together forming a fascinating tree tunnel. It’s one of the most photographed places in Ireland but I have to admit I struggled to get a good angle. There is definitely some clever editing in the final film scenes.

Even not being a GOT fan this this was one of the highlights of the day.

Game of Thornes Journey of Doors

We found place to sit and eat our pack lunch,  but back at the nearby Hedges Hotel there was a chance to enjoy  an all you can eat hot buffet or buy a drink.

Also at the hotel is the chance to see one of the amazing Doors of Thrones.  This was one of 10 beautifully carved door panels,  made from beech wood from trees that were lost in a storm in 2016. You can now search for these doors across Northern Ireland and get them stamped using a special Journey of Doors passport, which makes a great road trip challenge.

Bushmills Whiskey Distillery

There was one more stop before the main attraction of the day. I’m not a big whiskey fan but for those that are there was a chance to sample a range of whiskey shots (for a small price) and pick out your favourite Bushmills branded merch! It was a great bar and we chatted with our new coach friends.

After feeling relaxed with a wee dram, there was a photo opportunity overlooking Dunluce Castle (was used through CGI as Castle Greyjoy).

The Giants Causeway

Last but not least the tour gave us a couple of hours to explore the Giants Causeway area. Our driver helpfully suggested those of us that were fit enough to take the Red walking route which initially heads out along the cliff top.

From the coast path there is a view down onto the Giants Causeway.  I have to admit my friend and I were both quite disappointed by what we saw. The famous area looked quite small and nothing like any photos we had ever seen.

After about 1km the path splits and we headed down (with quite a lot of steps) to a lower level. As we had enough time we carried on away from the Causeway midway up the cliff were there are more rock formations (you can see the path n my photo). It became a dead end but there was great views of the unusual hexagon rocks stacked up against the cliff.

Back down to sea level we headed towards the main area, the Causeway.  It’s not until you are right on top of it that you see what makes it so special. The pictures are the best description – better still go for yourself if you’ve not been.   

We were lucky that it was not overly busy and the weather was kind to us.

It’s a brisk and generally uphill walk back up to the visitor centre or there is a shuttle bus you can pay to use. At the top by the visitor centre there is a hotel selling snacks and public toilets.

You can see all of this without being a National Trust member or paying any kind of entrance. However you do need to arrive by organised coach or park and ride as parking on the site has to be prebooked.  However, if you are a member then you have access to the visitor centre and exhibition The Causeway Experience, gift shop, café and toilets (others are available) and pre-booked parking. 

What a great trip. Not only did we love the tour and all the places but we also met some fun people from across the globe. If you have come to this post from my Belfast City post them you will have heard about our post tour pub visit. If not then take a look at how an unlikely group of strangers spent at least an hour squeezed in to a small booth in the Crown Liquor Salon Inn!

Thank you to City Belfast Tours for providing complementary tickets. I hope that you can tell from my words that we genuinely loved this tour and would happily recommend it. For Game of Thorne fans there was lots to see, plenty of photo opportunities and the option to borrow some capes and sword props for some fun photos.