A Guide To The Game of Thrones Studio Tour In Banbridge

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.

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

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)

4. Prices

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)

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)

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.