On Location: From Castle Ward to Winterfell

Katie Burke

As the fourth season of Game of Thrones nears what is assured to be a dramatic conclusion, the characters and lands we have come to know have undergone some major transformations.  None has been so dramatic as that of Winterfell, which began as the seat of the honor-bound Stark family, was destroyed and abandoned, and has now been repopulated by the merciless Boltons. 

While the show’s fans continue to mourn the continued fall of the great northern family, you can relive Winterfell’s first season glory with a trip to Castle Ward in Northern Ireland.  Currently the property of National Trust, a conservation organization, the estate was the set of many of Winterfell’s exterior shots in season one.  Most of the pilot scenes involving the Stark family were shot on Castle Ward’s grounds. 

Similar to the fictional Winterfell, Castle Ward was the property of an established wealthy family for centuries.  Bernard Ward bought the land from the Earls of Kildare around 1570.  In 1781, a descendant of Ward was named the first Viscount Bangor, of Castle Ward, in the County of Down, placing the family in a seat of honor.  The Ward family expanded on the estate over the generations, resulting in the 820 acres of greenery and mix of defensive and residential architecture.  The estate was given over the Government of Northern Ireland in 1950 to relieve the inheritance tax upon the death of sixth Viscount of Bangor. 

Though Game of Thrones primarily used the estate just for the first season, it is a great site for any fan looking for an interactive experience.  The main attraction is the bicycle tour of the filming locations, which comes complete with a map, medieval cloak costumes, and Stark family role-playing swords.  There are different trails with varying difficulty and price, but each allows you to see the sites of pivotal scenes such as Bran’s fall and the Stark/Lannister battlefields.

For the complete Winterfell experience, you can practice your archery skills like Bran, Rob, and Jon Snow on a replicated archery set.  This activity also comes complete with a medieval costume, allowing you to cater to your inner Game of Thrones nerd.

Winterfell may not be in its greatest condition in the show’s fourth season, but the Stark experience is still alive and well at Castle Ward.

An aspiring journalist, Katie enjoys learning about the world firsthand through travel. Her main area of interest is Spain and Spanish culture, however, she is open to going anywhere and everywhere she has the chance. To Katie, the most important part of the travel experience is documenting it.

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