Winter is coming in Belfast. At least it was when I visited, as the cast of Game Of Thrones were busy filming the hotly-anticipated Season 8 in Titanic Studios and the surrounding areas.
The plot is a closely guarded secret and the final adventures of everyone’s second favourite Jon Snow won’t be revealed until next year (2019).
In the mean time, if you’re as much of a fan as me, you can have a ball visiting the areas where some of the most famous Game Of Thrones scenes were filmed and re-enact them.
Here’s how to do it – frame by frame – with my (admittedly pretty terrible) efforts.
No White Walkers were harmed in the writing of this article.
Tollymore Forest Park
This stunning 1,600-acre park played a crucial role in the first Game Of Thrones episode, then provided the backdrop for many subsequent scenes.
It looks a bit different at the moment – it was covered in (fake) snow when Wills stumbled across dismembered bodies and a girl nailed to a tree.
I found her tree (still complete with nail holes) and recreated my own version.
In hindsight, it’s far too OTT.
I guess that’s why she’s the pro and I’m not (props to actress Claire Wright).
Anyone can buy an entry ticket to the park (it’s £5 per car), but to find the exact spots, it helps if you have a guide with insider knowledge.
In our case, that was Adrian of Game Of Thrones Tours – a lovely man with a seemingly endless amount of GOT info.
He also starred in the show in several guises as an extra, and as Davos Seaworth’s photo double.
Adrian took this pic of me, also in Tollymore Forest Park, being the symbolic dead stag Ned and his lads find in the show.
I’m pretty pleased with this one.
If any casting agents are looking for dead stag impersonators, hit me up.
Castle Ward
The original Winterfell (scenes are now filmed in Titanic Studios), in the Castle Ward estate, is a must see for GOT fans.
There are nine Game of Thrones film locations on the estate.
You can spot everything from the 16th century castle and stable yard (aka Winterfell), to a 15th century Tower House, which in the show belonged to Walder Frey.
Plus, there’s a spot where Brienne kicked ass in typical Brienne fashion while lugging Jaime Lannister about.
Entry to the castle and grounds costs £8.60.
The Direwolves
The highlight of my trip to Ireland? Meeting not one but two Game Of Thrones A-listers.
I had cuddles with Odin and Thor, the beautiful Northern Inuit dogs that played Summer and Grey Wind.
Their human family, the Mulhall clan, were also lovely and have starred in the show.
Brothers William, Ross and Caelan were extras, and even dad William played a Dothraki.
Meeting the dogs was on our tour itinerary, but obviously these are animals and sometimes they won’t be feeling sociable, so there’s no guarantee you’ll see them.
The Dark Hedges
Although you don’t see The Dark Hedges in the show a huge amount (it appeared at the end of season two’s first episode), it’s The King’s Road, aka Arya and Gendry’s means of escape, in the show, which makes it pretty crucial.
It’s a beautiful place, even though it will inevitably be filled to the brim with fellow fans when you visit.
The hedges are beech trees planted 250 years ago by the Stuart family – they wanted to create an impressive feature leading up to their home, Gracehill House.
The house is a popular wedding venue, even though the hedges are said to be haunted by the mysterious Grey Lady.
Anyone can visit the hedges and there’s free parking at Gracehill House.
Cushendun Caves
You can visit the caves where Melisandre gave birth to the dark spirit that killed Renly.
It’s near a small National Trust village.
Obviously you probably shouldn’t re-enact it exactly, since the caves are open to all.
There is no entry fee, and you can find more information on Cushendun on the National Trust site.
Ballintoy Harbour
This is one for the Greyjoy fans this.
Ballintoy Harbour is where Theon came ashore on Pyke Island, and was later baptised in the name of the Drowned God.
I got my Yara on, thanks to the dressing up stuff provided by Game Of Thrones Tours.
Carnlough
Maisie Williams spent ages in freezing cold water filming the scene where Arya crawls out of the Braavos canal, after being stabbed by Waif.
So the least you can do is recreate her scene at Carnolugh.
Sorry Maisie, I tried.
How much does it cost?
Game Of Thrones Tours leads several guided trips.
The Tollymore Locations Trek costs £10 and covers scenes filmed in Tollymore Forest Park (which also features a clearing where Jon and Tyrion rested when heading North to The Wall together. Said clearing has a stump on which Kit Harrington sat, if you like that kind of thing.)
The Legenderry Iron Islands guided tour costs £40 per adult and includes the Dark Hedges, Dunluce Castle and areas used as the Iron Islands, plus a visit to Giant’s Causeway.
The Dublin Winterfell Locations Trek includes a visit to Dundrum Castle, Old Castle Ward and, if your lucky, some time meeting the direwolf pups. It costs £65 perf adult.
There’s also a Game Of Thrones filming locations app that may help you with your mission, and a trail of themed doors you can follow should you wish.
What else to do while you’re there
For an aerial adventure, try Cutting Edge Helicopter’s Game Of Thrones Tour – Iron Island Adventure.
It costs £225 per helicopter flight (an hour for three people).
You should also visit Ulster Museum to see the amazing Game Of Thrones tapestry, which tells the story from the beginning until now.
I also enjoyed wandering round Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter for its street art, cafes, pubs and quirky restaurants.
St George’s Market was enjoyable, and I got chatting with artist and illustrator Danielle Morgan, aka Flax Fox, who draws local scenes in a snappy, distinct style.
She told me several of the show’s stars have browsed the market over the years.
GOT fans looking for a night out, meanwhile, should check Hodor’s website – actor Kristian Nairn is also a DJ and hosts nights called Rave Of Thrones.
I’d also highly recommend the Game Of Thrones Live, an evening of music from the show currently touring the US.
Where to stay in Ireland and how to get there
I stayed at the stunning Galgorm Hotel And Spa in Ballymena.
The spa and ‘thermal village’ is outstanding – it’s a beautiful complex of outdoor pools and jacuzzis, plus steam rooms and saunas with beautiful views of the countryside.
The hotel also has its own gin library, with an expert on hand to talk you through some of Ireland’s best gins as well as many other unusual drinks to lift your spirits.
Rooms cost from £149 per night, including a full Irish breakfast.
I flew from London Heathrow to Belfast City Airport with British Airways.
The flight took just under one and half hours.
BA flies to Belfast eight times a day and flights cost from £86 return.
(Top picture: Getty)
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