Game of Thrones Tapestry (Ulster Museum)

The whole saga in one long stitched line

The tapestry tells the story of all eight seasons of HBO's Game of Thrones, which filmed extensively across Northern Ireland at places like the Dark Hedges, Ballintoy Harbour and Cushendun Caves. It was commissioned by HBO and Tourism Ireland in 2017 and embroidered by hand onto traditional Northern Irish linen. Each panel covers one season, so you walk the plot from the first episode to the finale. There is no glass over it, so you can lean in close to the stitching - the museum just asks you not to touch.

Free Game of Thrones Indoors Whole museum to explore Cafe on site Check before you go

Good to know before you go:

Some film-linked spots run guided tours and seasonal events, and the formal attractions run their own programmes. The Ulster Museum changes its exhibitions through the year and the tapestry's display dates vary, so check listings before you go.

What to bring

📸A camera or phoneThis is a photo stop first and foremost — line up the shot from the show.

👟Comfy shoesMost spots need a short walk to reach the exact scene.

💷A few poundsFor parking or entry where there’s a charge.

📺The scene in mindHalf the fun is standing right where your favourite moment was filmed.

Everything before you go

Cost

Free (donations welcome)

What was filmed here

Nothing - this is a hand-stitched artwork about Game of Thrones, not a filming location

Parking

No museum car park; free on-street parking on nearby roads

Getting to the spot

Top floor of the Ulster Museum when on display; about a 10-minute walk from Botanic train station

Facilities

Cafe, toilets, full museum galleries, baby-changing

Best for

Families with school-age and older Game of Thrones fans; younger kids enjoy the wider museum

Safety

Indoor museum, no hazards; please do not touch the tapestry

Dogs

Assistance dogs only

How long to allow

30-45 minutes for the tapestry, 2-3 hours for the whole museum

Address

Ulster Museum, Stranmillis Road, Botanic Gardens, Belfast, BT9 5AB

Questions

Before you go

What was filmed here?

Nothing - this is a hand-stitched artwork about Game of Thrones, not a filming location

How much does it cost to visit?

Free (donations welcome)

Is it good for kids?

Families with school-age and older Game of Thrones fans; younger kids enjoy the wider museum

Where do I park?

No museum car park; free on-street parking on nearby roads

Anything to watch out for?

Indoor museum, no hazards; please do not touch the tapestry

Getting there

Game of Thrones Tapestry (Ulster Museum) is at Ulster Museum, Stranmillis Road, Botanic Gardens, Belfast, BT9 5AB. Top floor of the Ulster Museum when on display; about a 10-minute walk from Botanic train station. Tap below for directions.

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Nearby

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The story

About the location

The Game of Thrones Tapestry was commissioned in 2017 by HBO and Tourism Ireland to mark the show that put Northern Ireland on the map for film fans. It is hand-embroidered onto linen woven in some of Northern Ireland's last working mills, a deliberate nod to the region's textile heritage.

Roughly 30 local stitchers worked around 1,500 hours to produce a piece about 90 metres long, with a panel for each of the eight seasons. The Ulster Museum, set in Belfast's Botanic Gardens, became its long-term home, displayed on the top floor in a walk-through trail.

Because textiles are fragile and the piece sometimes travels to other venues, it is periodically rested in climate-controlled storage. Always check it is on show before planning a visit around it.