Castle Ward

July 2024

Castle Ward served as Winterfell for the first season of Game of Thrones. Several other scenes were filmed around these expansive beautiful grounds.

Castle Ward was the second stop on my Trek through Winterfell tour with Robbie, who was an extra on the show.

It rained the entire time so our trek was wet, muddy, and a bit miserable. Even with waterproof clothing we were already soaked to the bone having just hiked through Tollymore Forest in the rain as well. These are the same conditions the cast and crew had to endure most of the time so it made the experience more authentic.

Castle Ward's estate is quite huge. There is so much to see. You could easily spend a day here exploring even if you've never seen the show. The grounds are green and beautiful.

Being a huge fan of the show makes visiting Castle Ward more exciting. I got to touch Winterfell! We stood in the same courtyard where the Starks welcomed King Robert Baratheon and the Lannisters in the first episode. This is where the Stark children practiced archery.

On the outside, is where Bran climbs the wall and falls from the window. It's where Jamie fetches Tyrion from the brothel. It's where Tyrion and Jon Snow meet for the first time.

As with many other filming sites, the exterior of Castle Ward looks different because they digitally added a second tower on the other side of the courtyard's entrance. 

Castle Ward

Robbie showing us still shots from the filming of Game of Thrones. This scene shows King Robert's arrival. You can also see the green screen where they altered the castle.

Castle Ward Courtyard

Venture outside the courtyard and through the forest trail and you'll find Audley’s Castle, which was used a few different ways throughout filming Game of Thrones.

Along our path we were ambushed by another group on tour being led by a Wildling. He shouted out, "Who runs the North?!" Lol. He snapped us out of our wet slog. It felt like a battle might take place. It was exciting. Just as on Game of Thrones you never know who you're going to run into out there on your travels.

Robbie took us inside Audley's Castle to get out of the rain and show us clips of all the scenes filmed around here.

This tower was digitally doubled using CGI to serve as the Twins, home of Walder Frey. It overlooks the Quoile River, which serve as the Riverlands. Quoile River is where Hoster Tully's body was put in a boat and set sail. As part of the funeral custom a flaming arrow is fired to light the sails as the boat travels downriver and Edmure misses 3 times. 

Audley's Castle is the backdrop of Robb Stark's camp in Season 2. 

Just beside the castle is Audley’s Field, where the aftermath of the battle of Oxcross was filmed and where Robb meets Talisa. Several scenes from Dracula Untold were filmed in Audley's Field as well.

Robb and Talisa get married underneath a tree here on the grounds.

Continue on the scenic path beside Strangford Lough and you'll be at the shore where Brienne and Jamie arrive by row boat. Legend has it that St. Patrick also arrived to this part of Northern Ireland by row boat. Continue along and you'll come across the "Hanging Tree" where Brienne and Jamie find 3 bodies hanging.

Along this same route is where Tyrion and Bronn were ambushed by the Stone Crows of the Vale.

The Hanging Tree

We got so much information while being wet and tired so it's hard to remember it all. I know I'm forgetting a few other scenes. I'd love to come back to Castle Ward on a dry day and remember what they were! Plus there was more of the estate that I didn't see.

Our last stop of the day was Inch Abbey where Rob's bannerman pledge fealty to him as King in the North.

On to Inch Abbey>>