Game Of Thrones Studio Tour To Open In County Down

An official Game of Thrones studio tour is set to open in County Down next year.

Situated at the Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge, the original filming location for many iconic scenes, the tour will give visitors a closer look at original set pieces, costumes, props and weapons that were used to create the fantasy worlds of Westeros and Essos.

Guests will also have the opportunity to walk through authentic set pieces from some of the show's most iconic scenes. In collaboration with HBO Licensing & Retail, Linen Mill Studios are designing and building the new 110,000-square-foot interactive experience and will open its gates for visitors in Spring 2020. It is the first in a series of Game of Thrones Legacy projects announced by HBO last year.

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 who 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.

Jeff Peters, the Vice President of licensing & retail at HBO said: "It is our sincere pleasure to announce the first attraction from the Game of Thrones Legacy project in Northern Ireland. Some of the most iconic scenes from Game of Thrones were filmed at Linen Mill Studios and our fans will soon have an opportunity to visit and see the work of the show's incredible crew in the museum setting it deserves."

"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 at Linen Mill Studios.

Richard Williams, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Screen added: "Northern Ireland is very proud to host the epic adventure that is the production of Game of Thrones. Almost from the start fans of the show from near and far along with those that are just culturally curious have sought out and enjoyed visiting the public locations featured in the show. It's now really exciting that Linen Mill Studios, one of the film studios used by Game of Thrones from the start, is soon to become open to the public as a Game of Thrones visitor experience. It is brilliant that this visitor experience is being built and developed on top of the genuine film studio where many of the most iconic Game of Thrones scenes were filmed."

"The new attraction will also allow visitors to see the authentic sets and costumes and learn how Game of Thrones was made. The Studio Tour location at the Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge, midway between Belfast and Dublin, can be easily reached by the 11 million people who visit the Island of Ireland each year as well as providing even more reasons for international tourists to visit. I commend both Linen Mill Studios in recognising the increasing opportunity in screen tourism here and HBO's commitment to Northern Ireland as the 'Home of Thrones'. I have no doubt this investment will deliver a world-class visitor experience," said John McGrillen, Chief Executive of Tourism NI.



(JG/CM)