A wide, wild sweep of moor and farmland running out below the craggy cone of Slemish, near Broughshane — the very grassland that stood in for the Dothraki Sea in Game of Thrones, where Daenerys rides out with Khal Drogo's khalasar.
What you'll do — take a slow scenic drive along the single-track roads, pull in where it's safe, and drink in the huge open views of moor, rush and green fields rolling up to Slemish, St Patrick's mountain. Film fans come to stand in the Dothraki grasslands; walkers pair it with the short, steep climb up Slemish itself.
How long — anything from a quick 30-minute stop for photos to a half-day if you climb Slemish too. It's an easy add-on to a north Antrim day out.
Price — free. There's no entry, no ticket and no booking; it's open country you drive through and look out over.
What to bring — walking boots and warm layers, a windproof coat, water and a camera. It's exposed hill country, so dress for the weather whatever the forecast says.
This is working farmland and open moor. The roads are quiet and single-track — park considerately in passing places, never block gates or field access, and close any gate you open. Follow the Countryside Code and leave stock and crops undisturbed.
Exposed, with no facilities. There are no toilets, no café and no shop out here, and phone signal can be patchy. Go prepared, and pick a bright, clear day for the best of those big views.
Plan your visit
Can I visit? Yes — it's free, open country, any day
Shillanavogy Valley isn't a ticketed attraction with a gate and a car park — it's the wide, open landscape of moor and farmland below Slemish, threaded by narrow country roads. You visit by driving or walking the lanes, stopping where it's safe to take in the views. There's no charge, no booking and no set opening hours — just come in daylight and pick a clear day. Because it's working farmland and open hill, the golden rule is to tread lightly: park sensibly, keep to lanes and paths, and leave gates and stock as you find them.
Open valley & moorScenic drive or walkGame of Thrones locationNo facilities on site
Respect the farmland:
These are quiet single-track roads through land that people live and work on. Park only in safe passing places, never block a gate or field entrance, close any gate you open, and take all litter home. Signal can be patchy, so let someone know your plans if you're heading up Slemish.
Before you set off
What to wear & bring
🥾Walking bootsThe ground is rough moor and rush, wet and boggy in places — proper boots keep you steady, especially if you climb Slemish.
🧥A windproof coat & layersIt's exposed hill country and the weather turns fast out here — pack warm layers and a waterproof whatever the sky's doing.
💧Water & a snackThere's no café or shop anywhere near, so bring your own drinks and something to eat, and a hat on a bright day.
📷A cameraSlemish rising over the open grassland is a proper photograph — golden light in the morning and evening is best of all.
Good to know
Everything before you go
Cost
Free — there's no entry charge, no ticket and no booking. It's open country you drive through and look out over.
Opening
No set hours; visit in daylight and choose a clear, bright day for the best of the views. Avoid dusk on the narrow lanes.
Getting around
Best explored by car along the single-track roads below Slemish, stopping in safe passing places. Keen walkers pair it with the short, steep climb up Slemish itself.
Difficulty
Easy if you're just driving and taking in the scene. The wider moor and the Slemish climb are rough, uneven and exposed — moderate underfoot.
Facilities
None on site — no toilets, no café, no shop and no visitor centre. Broughshane and Ballymena have shops and cafés nearby.
Dogs
This is grazing land, so keep dogs on a lead and under close control near livestock, and clean up after them.
Parking
No dedicated car park. Use safe passing places only, and never block gates, farm entrances or the road itself.
How long
A photo stop takes about half an hour; allow half a day if you're climbing Slemish as well.
Questions
Before you go
Is Shillanavogy Valley really a Game of Thrones location?
Yes — the open grassland below Slemish stood in for the Dothraki Sea in the first series, the sweeping plains where Daenerys Targaryen rides out with Khal Drogo's khalasar. Stand in the valley on a clear day and it's easy to see why they chose it.
Do I have to pay or book?
No. It's free, open country with no ticket, no booking and no set hours. You simply drive or walk the lanes and take in the views.
Can I climb Slemish while I'm there?
Many people do — Slemish is a short but steep hill walk with big Antrim views from the top, and it pairs perfectly with the valley. See our Slemish guide for what to expect.
Where do I park?
There's no car park in the valley itself. Use safe passing places on the single-track roads, and take care never to block a gate, a farm entrance or the road. Park considerately — this is land people live and work on.
Are there toilets or a café?
Not out here — the valley has no facilities at all. Broughshane and Ballymena, a short drive away, have shops, cafés and toilets.
When's the best time to visit?
A clear, bright day makes the views, and the low golden light of morning or evening is best of all for photos. Take warm layers and a waterproof whatever the forecast — it's exposed up here.
Getting there
Shillanavogy Valley lies below Slemish mountain, off the country roads between Broughshane and Buckna, near Ballymena in County Antrim — roughly 40 minutes' drive north of Belfast. There's no car park, so follow the signs for Slemish and pull in only where it's safe.
Long before any film crew arrived, this valley had a story. The craggy hill above it is Slemish — thought to be the worn plug of a long-dead volcano — and by tradition it's where a captured boy called Patrick was set to herd sheep, sixteen hundred years ago. He went on to become the patron saint of Ireland, and Slemish became St Patrick's mountain, still climbed by pilgrims every March.
Then, a few years back, a second story landed on the same ground. Scouts for Game of Thrones went looking for somewhere vast and empty to play the Dothraki Sea, and found it here — the wide, wild grassland below Slemish, where Daenerys and Khal Drogo's riders sweep across the plains. Two tales, one valley: come and stand where both were told.