These ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Filming Locations Are Real Places You Can Actually Visit
The new Game of Thrones spinoff was filmed in Northern Ireland, and several of its key locations can be added to a real trip.
I was definitely skeptical going into another Game of Thrones spinoff.
The original series was incredible for so long, and then that ending was such a mess that I think a lot of fans had every right to be cautious about getting invested again. That’s part of why it’s been so nice to see A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms go over this well.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms follows Ser Duncan the Tall and his young squire Egg about a century before the main series, with most of the action playing out on the road through Westeros.
And if you’re enjoying it too, there’s another fun angle here. Several of the show’s real-life filming locations in Northern Ireland are places you can actually visit. They are great to add to any Ireland itinerary!
1. Hen Mountain – Dunk’s lonely grave and the start of the road
Dunk’s story really begins on that windswept hillside where he buries Ser Arlan under a twisted tree before riding off toward Ashford. Those scenes were filmed around Hen Mountain in the Mourne Mountains, a rugged range that’s already familiar to long-time fans as “North of the Wall” and other northern backdrops from the original series.
On a real-world visit, you won’t find Dunk’s sigil tree (it was a prop), but you will get the same big skies and rolling, heathery hills. Trailheads near the Hen Mountain car park make it easy to do a short hike rather than a full-on trek. Be sure to pack proper boots, expect mud, and check the weather carefully because visibility can disappear fast.
2. Tollymore Forest Park – The Crownlands and old-school direwolf country
If the trees look familiar, it’s because this forest has been working overtime in Westeros. Tollymore first showed up in the original series as the place where Ned and the Stark kids find the direwolf pups, and as White Walker territory later on.
In Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, it’s back as part of the Crownlands: damp, mossy, and perfect for all those misty rides through royal territory. Tollymore covers about 1,500 acres at the foot of the Mournes, with signposted trails, stone bridges, and river walks…so you can do anything from a gentle loop to a half-day hike without getting hopelessly lost in the woods. It’s open year-round, and there’s paid parking and basic facilities on-site.
3. Glenarm Castle Estate – Ashford Meadow and the tourney grounds
Ashford is where Dunk is heading when he decides to try his luck at the tourney, and in the show, Ashford Meadow is where all those colorful tents, banners, and egos collide. Those camp scenes were filmed on the grounds of Glenarm Castle Estate in County Antrim, which doubles as the meadow where knights set up for the big event.
In real life, the castle is a historic family home with walled gardens, walking paths, and seasonal events rather than a full medieval fair. Parts of the estate are open to the public, and it’s an easy add-on if you’re driving the Causeway Coastal Route. Check opening hours before you go – this is still a working estate, not a theme park. And give yourself time to wander the gardens and picture Dunk awkwardly trying to pass himself off as a proper tourney knight.
4. Galboly – The “time stopped here” village
Set roughly a century before the main series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms needed places that felt older and quieter than war-torn Westeros. For that, production used the Hidden Village of Galboly in the Glens of Antrim – an abandoned cluster of stone cottages that already looks like it fell out of another century.
Galboly has also appeared in the original show and other productions, but in person, it still feels low-key and remote. It sits near the Causeway Coastal Route, but access can be tricky, and the site is fragile, so this is one spot where going with a local guide or organized hike is a good idea rather than just punching it into your GPS and hoping for the best.
5. The deeper cuts: Cave Hill, Leitrim Lodge, Myra Castle, and more
Beyond the “headline” spots, Season 1 also uses Cave Hill near Belfast, Leitrim Lodge in the foothills of the Mournes, and Myra Castle near Strangford. Together, they stand in for different parts of the Reach, Ashford Valley, and Flea Bottom.
Cave Hill is already a popular hike with panoramic views over Belfast Lough; Leitrim Lodge is a quieter access point into the hills with marked walking routes. Myra Castle, on the other hand, is a private residence used heavily by the production but not open for casual visits, so think of that one as a “seen on screen only” location you admire from afar.
How to turn it into an easy Knight of the Seven Kingdoms trip
For a quick hit of Westeros, you could base yourself in Newcastle or Belfast for three or four nights, rent a car, and split your time between the Mourne Mountains and the Antrim coast. One day for Hen Mountain and Tollymore, one for Glenarm and Galboly, and you’ve basically traced Dunk’s journey in mini form.
If you want to fold these stops into a longer Ireland trip, even better. I’ve mapped out a full Ireland road trip that links Northern Ireland’s filming locations with classic coastal and castle stops, so you’re not just chasing HBO, you’re getting a very real slice of the island along the way. And if you’re routing through Dublin at the beginning or end, my Dublin guide has you covered for what to see, eat, and do while you’re there.
