Yes, London may have a spellbinding Harry Potter Studio Tour that we’re very proud of, but still, we’d never say no to a Game of Thrones studio tour. And this would be the reason why we’re throwing a fair few covetous glances the way of Banbridge, Northern Ireland, where such an attraction has just opened to the public. What do we say to the god of death? Not today I really bloody want to go here!
Linen Mill Studios – which was used as a filming location for many of Game of Thrones’ iconic scenes – has been chosen as the site for the official Game of Thrones studio tour. It’s currently home to sets including Winterfell, Riverrun, and Pyke, all of which featured prominently in the unforgettable series, making it the logical choice to house the tour. The newly opened studio tour is expected to attract some 600,000 visitors each year, and create 200 jobs for the area.
Should you decide to make the trip, you’ll find authentic sets that you’ll be allowed to wander through, along with a treasure trove of costumes and props – riches that could rival even the famed wealth of the Lannisters.
The usual set of interactive experiences and behind-the-scenes glimpses will also be in attendance, providing a close-up look at the show’s production stages from paper sketches to mindblowing visual effects on your screen.
The Game of Thrones studio tour is another glittering addition to the wealth of GoT experiences you can currently do in Northern Ireland. Fans make regular pilgrimages to the Dark Hedges in Ballymoney, and sets used for filming scenes at Castle Black and Kings Landing (Magheramorne Quarry and Titanic Studios, respectively) were opened up for public tours ahead of the show’s final season in 2019.
The studio tour is now officially open to visitors, and tickets are available to purchase here. If you’re planning a visit, I’d just make sure you’re not in the company of oathbreakers, traitors, or anyone called Frey – otherwise your visit might be a little more dramatic than you’d hoped…