For Game of Thrones fans visiting Northern Ireland, the Game of Thrones Studio Tour in Banbridge, south of Belfast, is an absolute must-do. Set in the original Linen Mill Studios, where much of the series was filmed, it combines original sets, costumes and props with behind-the-scenes insights, interactive exhibits and special effects.
We weren’t quite sure what to expect before we visited, but it turned out to be much more interesting — and much more fun — than we’d anticipated.
Game of Thrones Studio Tour – quick guide
| Where | Linen Mill Studios, Ballievey Road, Banbridge, Northern Ireland |
| How long to allow | Around 2–3 hours |
| Tour type | Self-guided |
| Parking | Free parking on site |
| Public transport | Coach packages available from Belfast and Dublin |
| Opening hours | Open daily — check current hours before visiting |
| Tickets | Prices vary by date, time and package; advance booking recommended |
| Good to know | Some souvenir green-screen experiences cost extra |
| Best for | Game of Thrones fans, film and TV fans and a rainy day in Northern Ireland. Also an option for a break between Belfast and Dublin. |
Watch a short video preview
Is the Game of Thrones Studio Tour worth visiting?
For us, very definitely yes.
To be frank, although I spent about ten years of my life watching Game of Thrones, I was a bit ‘meh’ about the Studio Tour beforehand. I expected a walk-through of static sets with nicely dressed mannequins.
It just shows the limits of my imagination.
What surprised me most was how much there was to discover about the enormous amount of craftsmanship and technical skill that went into making the series. And, of course, all the insider tricks behind the special effects. Yes, you see Winterfell, Castle Black and King’s Landing, but you also get an insight into costume design, prosthetics, models, special effects and how scenes progressed from storyboards and miniature models to what ultimately appeared on screen.
There are also interactive elements throughout the tour, so it doesn’t feel like walking around a museum.
If you have watched Game of Thrones, you’ll obviously get much more from recognising the characters, sets and scenes. However, anyone interested in film-making, costume, special effects or television production should find plenty here to enjoy.
What do you see on the Game of Thrones Studio Tour?
Your journey begins with a short film on a huge screen, complete, of course, with that theme tune.
From there you pass through the ice tunnel of The Wall and into the frozen land beyond before travelling through some of the most recognisable locations in Westeros.
Over the next couple of hours you’ll explore sets and displays from Castle Black, Winterfell, Dragonstone, the Hall of Faces, King’s Landing and the Destroyed Throne Room. The tour also contains thousands of original costumes, props and weapons used in the production.
One thing I particularly enjoyed was the use of video alongside the sets, literally setting the scene. Some video clips were there to remind you of a particular scene so you’d get the context of the display; other clips zoomed back so you could see the camera and support crew, giving an indication of how the magic was created.
Remember Arya flying through the air to kill the Night King? It was rubber bands! And Northern Ireland’s fire crews even get a moment in the spotlight, as they were on standby for some of the rather more fiery scenes.
Game of Thrones Studio Tour photos
Here are some of our photos from inside the Studio Tour, including the sets, costumes, props and interactive experiences.
When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground.”
Interactive experiences and green-screen fun
There are interactive hotspots throughout the tour where you can do considerably more than just look.
We had fun putting our ghostly faces up on the wall in the Hall of Faces, being transformed into a wight (those things that scrambled up The Wall) using motion capture, designing our own sigil (aka family crest), and ‘slaying’ a total of 3,506 wights — a high score! We had a lot of fun!
At the start of our visit we were photographed against a completely unpromising-looking green backdrop and instructed to look happy and then terrified. We complied rather cluelessly. Seeing ourselves subsequently dropped into scenes from Westeros with ridiculous expressions was hilarious (see photos above).
We also did the Throne green-screen experience on our visit. See our rather less impressive “before” and considerably more dramatic “after” below. Why did he get to sit on the throne?
Are the green-screen experiences included in the ticket?
Note: This is worth knowing before you book.
The interactive displays around the tour are part of the visitor experience, but some of the premium green-screen and souvenir experiences are extras.
These now include the Green Screen Dragon Ride, where you can apparently take to the skies of Westeros, and the Green Screen Throne Experience, where you sit on a replica Iron Throne before the resulting image is transformed into something rather more impressive.
Some ticket packages and House Passes include one of these experiences, while with standard admission they may be purchased separately. Check what is included when booking rather than assuming they are part of the basic ticket.
Behind the scenes – how Game of Thrones was made
For me, the behind-the-scenes reveals were the most interesting parts of the tour.
The special-effects section is fascinating. Whoever had the job of creating dragon fire, gigantic direwolves and even the weather must have had one of the best jobs on the production.
I was impressed by the skill and time that went into applying — and then removing — prosthetics for the actors; the way green screen was used to shoot many of the ship scenes, and how the scenes are developed from storyboard through paper models to the real thing.
Possibly one of the most unsettling displays was that of the mannequins of Cersei and Jaime Lannister and Maester Qyburn. These are so lifelike that it gives you goose bumps. I’d hate to be working a security night shift with these ‘folk’ for company.
The mannequins were used for scenes where the real actors could not be used, such as when Cersei and Jaime were buried beneath the rubble of the Red Keep, and when The Mountain killed Qyburn in the Red Keep, tossing him down the stairs into a pile of rubble.
As well as the sets, there are also areas where you get to learn more about the costume design, which is incredible, especially when seen up close. The costume collection alone now includes more than 150 costumes from the series so there is plenty to marvel at.
Just 5 of the things we learnt about the making of Game of Thrones
- To create the illusion of height for the giants, the already tall actors’ body suits were designed to be larger at the bottom, and smaller at the top.
- The prosthetics could take almost half a day to apply with actors having to show up for work at 12 midnight so they would be ready to start work at 10am in the morning.
- All the music for the series — equivalent to composing the score for a 70-hour movie — was composed by one man, Ramin Djawadi
- The dragon’s fiery breath was created using a 50ft flamethrower mounted on a robotic crane.
- Powdered coffee creamer makes a surprisingly convincing substitute for snow.
Game of Thrones Studio Tour tickets and prices
Ticket prices and packages vary according to factors including the date, time of visit and the type of experience you book. There are also family and group options, travel packages, food packages and House Passes combining admission with different extras.
My advice is therefore to check the current ticket price directly on the official Studio Tour website rather than relying on a price quoted in a travel article that may quickly become out of date.
It is also worth looking closely at what is included. Standard General Admission covers access to the Studio Tour, sets, costumes and props, but some additional experiences and packages cost extra.
Walk-up tickets may sometimes be available, but the Studio Tour recommends booking online in advance.
I’d also recommend checking the studio’s social media channels as there are sometimes generous offers available.
How to get to the Game of Thrones Studio Tour
Address: Ballievey Rd, Banbridge, County Down, Northern Ireland – BT32 3RX
Driving and parking
There is now free parking at the Studio Tour itself, which makes visiting by car considerably easier than it was when the attraction first opened.
Previously, visitors driving to the attraction parked in Banbridge and travelled to Linen Mill Studios by shuttle bus. You can now drive directly to the Studio Tour and park on site. Game of Thrones Studio Tour
The drive from Belfast takes approximately 30–35 minutes, depending on traffic. Or you could include Game of Thrones Studio Tour as a stopover on a drive up from Dublin. The studio is around one hour, 40 minutes driving time north of Dublin
Game of Thrones Studio Tour by coach from Belfast or Dublin
You don’t need a car to visit.
The Studio Tour offers packages which combine admission with return coach transport from central Belfast and from Dublin.
From Belfast – return: Coaches pick up from and return to the Visit Belfast Welcome Centre in Belfast city centre. The journey to Banbridge takes around 30 minutes.
From Dublin – return: Coaches pick up from and return to the Molly Malone Statue/Suffolk Street in Dublin city centre, travelling directly to the Studio Tour in around 90 minutes.
Dublin → Studio Tour → Belfast / Belfast → Studio Tour → Dublin: The Studio Tour also offers useful one-way travel packages, allowing you to travel from Dublin to the Studio Tour and continue to Belfast afterwards, or travel from Belfast to the Studio Tour and finish in Dublin. This could be particularly useful if the attraction falls on a travel day during a longer Ireland itinerary. Luggage can be stored in the lockers or cloakroom during your visit.
Because timetables can change, I recommend checking current departure and return times when you book rather than relying on times quoted here.
Food, drink and facilities
There is a café at the entrance to the Studio Tour as well as a restaurant inside the attraction serving meals and seasonal dishes, so you don’t need to leave the site if you want something to eat during your visit.
Inevitably, there is a sizeable Game of Thrones shop waiting for you at the end. We did make a few purchases.
If you plan to travel with big bags you’ll be pleased to know there are also lockers and a cloakroom.
Game of Thrones Studio Tour – frequently asked questions
Where is the Game of Thrones Studio Tour?
Linen Mill Studios is on Ballievey Road near Banbridge in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is approximately 30–35 minutes by road from Belfast.
Is the Game of Thrones Studio Tour in Belfast?
No. Located 30-35 minutes south of Belfast we'd classify the studio as a day trip from Belfast.
Can I get to the Game of Thrones Studio Tour by public transport?
Coach-and-admission packages operate from Belfast city centre, making it possible to visit the studio without a car.
How long should I allow for the Game of Thrones Studio Tour?
Allow approximately two to three hours for the self-guided tour. You may want longer if you like reading all the displays or plan to eat and visit the shop.
Can you park at the Game of Thrones Studio Tour?
Yes. Free on-site parking is now available at the attraction. This was previously not the case as you had to park in Banbridge and take a shuttle bus which did add hassle and time to the trip. Now a thing of the past!
Can you take photos inside?
Yes, handheld photography is permitted in most areas. Photography is restricted in the pre-show cinema and in the green-screen areas. Flashes and tripods are not permitted.
Do you need the audio guide?
While you may opt to have an audio tour, especially if English is not your first language, there are explainer boards throughout the exhibition and the attendants are also very happy to answer questions and provide all sorts of information about the show and its filming. Many of them had been extras, so know a thing or two.
Who is the Game of Thrones Studio Tour best for?
For Game of Thrones fans, this is an easy recommendation. There is enough recognition and nostalgia in the original sets, costumes and props to make it special, but what surprised us was how interesting the behind-the-scenes side of the tour was. Like Titanic Belfast, I think this is one of Northern Ireland's outstanding visitor experiences and well worth including in an itinerary. But be sure to allow enough time to enjoy it properly!
Author: Katie McGregor
