Days Out NI
Adventure & activity Strangford

Winterfell Tours Castle Ward

Fire arrows from Bran's spot, meet the real direwolves and ride the Winterfell film set.

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Book aheadPre-book online only via winterfell-tours…
TicketedPer person
StrangfordAdventure & activity
Get directionsOfficial website
An hourHow long
TicketedCost
Game of Thrones…Best for
All levelsLevel
NearbyParking

Winterfell Tours Castle Ward — Fire arrows from Bran's spot, meet the real direwolves and ride the Winterfell film set.

  • What you do: Archery, costume dressing, axe throwing, direwolf dog meets, cycle and 4x4 jeep location tours, boat tours.
  • Difficulty: Easy and hands-on, but outdoors on rural farmyard and woodland ground.
  • Age / height: Family-friendly across ages; check age suitability for archery and axe throwing when you book.
  • Booking: Pre-book online only via winterfell-tours.com. Walk-ups not admitted.
  • Come ready: Sturdy shoes, warm layers, a waterproof and a camera.
  • Weather: Outdoor and weather-dependent; follow your guide's safety instructions for archery and axe throwing.
Plan your visit

Shoot, dress up and meet the direwolves

The headline activity is the archery set experience: a guide gives you film background and instruction, kits you out in costume, and lets you fire real arrows on the original courtyard set. A short package runs about 50 minutes; a longer private session is available too. Axe throwing uses the warrior theme from the show. The direwolf meet brings out Odin and Thor, the dogs who played Summer and Grey Wind, which is usually the bit younger kids remember most. You can add cycle or 4x4 jeep tours to track down filming locations like Robb's Camp and Brienne's tree across the demesne, or a Strangford Lough boat tour.

Pre-book online only Paid experience Archery and axe throwing Meet real direwolf dogs Bike and 4x4 jeep tours Outdoor, weather-dependent
Good to know before you go:

Adventure centres and trails run seasonal guided sessions, family events and holiday activities; the booked attractions have their own seasons. Winterfell Tours also runs medieval banquet nights in the Great Hall and seasonal events, so check listings for dates.

Before you set off

What to bring

  • 👟Clothes you can trashOld kit and trainers you do not mind getting muddy or wet.
  • 🎒A full change & a towelEspecially for anything on the water — you will be glad of dry clothes after.
  • 💧Water and a snackYou will have earned it once the adventure is done.
  • 🎫Your bookingAlmost everything here needs booking ahead — have the confirmation ready.
Good to know

Everything before you go

Cost
Paid. Archery package from around 29 pounds per person; other activities and combos priced separately
Booking
Pre-book online only via winterfell-tours.com. Walk-ups not admitted
Activity
Archery, costume dressing, axe throwing, direwolf dog meets, cycle and 4x4 jeep location tours, boat tours
Difficulty
Easy and hands-on, but outdoors on rural farmyard and woodland ground
Age / height limits
Family-friendly across ages; check age suitability for archery and axe throwing when you book
Best for
Game of Thrones fans, families and groups who want a hands-on film-set day
What to wear / bring
Sturdy shoes, warm layers, a waterproof and a camera
Safety / weather
Outdoor and weather-dependent; follow your guide's safety instructions for archery and axe throwing
Parking
National Trust car parking at Castle Ward estate
How long to allow
From under an hour for one package up to a half or full day if you add tours
Address
Old Castle Ward, Strangford BT30 7LS
Questions

Before you go

Do I need to book?
Pre-book online only via winterfell-tours.com. Walk-ups not admitted
How much is it?
Paid. Archery package from around 29 pounds per person; other activities and combos priced separately
Is there an age or height limit?
Family-friendly across ages; check age suitability for archery and axe throwing when you book
What should we wear or bring?
Sturdy shoes, warm layers, a waterproof and a camera
What if the weather is bad?
Outdoor and weather-dependent; follow your guide's safety instructions for archery and axe throwing
Getting there

Winterfell Tours Castle Ward is at Old Castle Ward, Strangford BT30 7LS. National Trust car parking at Castle Ward estate. Tap below for directions.

Directions on Google MapsOfficial website See it on our map
Nearby

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The story

About this place

Castle Ward is an 18th-century National Trust estate on the shore of Strangford Lough in County Down. Its old farmyard, with the stone tower and archways, was used as the Stark family's Winterfell courtyard in Season 1 of HBO's Game of Thrones, including the scene where Bran learns archery.

Winterfell Tours is an independent operator running experiences on and around that set. They dress visitors in costume, teach archery with a Master-at-Arms character, and bring out Odin and Thor, the dogs cast as the Stark direwolves Summer and Grey Wind, alongside cycle, jeep and boat tours of filming locations.

The operator notes it is not sponsored by or affiliated with HBO or the creators of Game of Thrones.