15 APR 2019: It will take another year, but fans of Games of Thrones, which began its hugely anticipated final season on television last night (Sunday), will be able to be immerse themselves in the world of Westeros in a unique studio tour experience in Northern Ireland, where much of the hit HBO series has been filmed.
To be located at the Linen Mills Studios in Banbridge (about 30 minutes from Belfast), the Game of Thrones Studio Tour will drop fans in the very heart of the Seven Kingdoms starting in Spring 2020. Visitors will be treated to an up-close and personal look at a wide selection of items, including costumes, props and other behind-the-scenes items pulled straight from the screen, and have the opportunity to walk through authentic set pieces from some of the show’s most iconic scenes.
The deeply immersive and sensory experience will evoke the show’s magnificence from King’s Landing, Winterfell, Dragonstone, The Wall and the lands beyond, to kingdoms across the Narrow Sea like Mereen and Braavos.
Featuring a compelling mix of behind-the scenes insights, interactive elements, and expansive, fully dressed sets, visitors will be able to wander in the very footsteps of Westeros’s most prominent residents, re-living key moments from the series and standing right where they took place.
The new 10,000-sq.m. venue will be the first in a series of Game of Thrones Legacy projects and will feature the largest authentic public display of Game of Thrones artifacts in the world.
The Studio Tour will also feature a first-of-its-kind collection of informative displays highlighting the production spaces and the craftsmanship and artistry of the creative teams that brought the epic series to life. Information about Production Design and the Art Department workshops will enhance the visitor experience along with an interactive Costume Department station, displays about the Make-up and Prosthetics Shop, The Armoury, and others.
“Linen Mill Studios is thrilled, in partnership with HBO, to have this opportunity to offer fans a unique insight into the making of the Game of Thrones series in the authentic setting of one of its foremost filming locations. We are committed to giving fans the opportunity to experience firsthand the most comprehensive selection of iconic elements from the show available anywhere in the world,” said Andrew Webb, Managing Director, Linen Mill Studios.
John McGrillen, Chief Executive of Tourism Northern Ireland hailed the series’ legacy in the destination. “Game of Thrones has transformed Northern Ireland into a leading international screen tourism destination, bringing many more visitors and fans of the show to Northern Ireland to explore the stunning landscapes, coastlines and mountains showcased in the series,” he said.