A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Filming Locations: Northern Ireland Guide
Where Was A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Filmed? Locations + Real Places
HBO’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (aka The Hedge Knight) doesn’t just “look” like Westeros—its world is built from real landscapes, castles, and forests you can actually visit (or at least see) in the real world. The big headline: the series returned to the franchise’s roots and filmed primarily in Northern Ireland, with Belfast as the production hub.
Below is a practical, fan-friendly breakdown of the most reported/confirmed filming locations, what they stand in for on-screen, and how to experience them responsibly (no trespassing, no muddy “Dunk pilgrimage” disasters).
Quick answer: the main filming region (and why it matters)
Production commenced in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and the series’ core shoot is widely reported to be centered across Northern Ireland locations (with Belfast functioning as the crew base and studio home). That’s a major “Thrones universe” throwback: Northern Ireland was also the backbone of the original Game of Thrones production for years.
Table of contents
- Belfast & Titanic Studios (studio base)
- Glenarm Castle Estate (Ashford Meadow)
- Myra Castle & Strangford area (Ashford town/castle)
- Tollymore Forest Park (roads, woods, and “Westeros travel” vibes)
- Mourne Mountains & Slievemoughanmore (the “Elm Tree” area)
- Newry & Hen Mountain (reported location work)
- Was anything filmed outside Northern Ireland?
- What Reddit fans say about visiting these locations
- FAQ
Belfast & Titanic Studios (the production hub)
If Northern Ireland is the “real-world Westeros” of this show, Belfast is the engine room. HBO officially confirmed production began in Belfast, and multiple reports identify Titanic Studios as a key base for interior work and controlled setups. In practical terms, this is where you typically get your great hall interiors, controlled lighting for dialogue scenes, and weather-proof filming days when the Irish skies refuse to cooperate.
Visiting note: Titanic Studios is a working studio facility (not a public attraction), but Belfast is the best “base city” for a locations trip. It’s also where most tours, transport links, and day-trip routes become easy.
Glenarm Castle Estate, County Antrim (Ashford Meadow)
One of the biggest real-world anchors for the series is Glenarm Castle (and its estate) in County Antrim. Reporting around the production has specifically connected Glenarm with Ashford Meadow, the tournament-centered setting that dominates the story. If you want that “grand medieval gathering” feeling—nobles arriving, tents and tourney grounds, the sense that something ceremonial (and dangerous) is about to happen—this is the kind of place productions love.
Glenarm Castle’s own site describes the estate as a filming location and notes it has featured in HBO’s Game of Thrones before—so the property is already “camera-tested” for the franchise’s look and logistics.
Visiting note: Unlike many private estates, parts of Glenarm Castle and gardens are visitor-facing at certain times (check the estate’s current visitor information before going). Plan like a respectful guest: stay on public paths, follow signage, and don’t assume “it was on TV” means “it’s open access.”
Myra Castle & the Strangford area, County Down (Ashford town/castle)
Myra Castle (near Strangford in County Down) is another frequently cited location for the show. Reports place filming in and around Myra Castle and its surrounding Strangford area for key sequences. Because it reads as “storybook medieval” on camera, it’s a natural fit for a world of tourneys, hedge knights, and smallfolk settlements.
Important reality check: at least some reporting notes the estate is privately owned and not generally open to the public. So this is often more of a “know where it is and admire from respectful, legal viewpoints” stop rather than a walk-in attraction.
Tollymore Forest Park, County Down (forest roads, travel scenes, classic Thrones nature)
Want that iconic “characters-on-the-road” feeling—mud, trees, distant hills, and the sense that trouble is only a mile ahead? Tollymore Forest Park is repeatedly connected to the series’ outdoor work. It also has deep Thrones DNA: the park is well known for having been used in Game of Thrones, and it’s officially recognized as a filming location for the original show.
Visiting note: this is one of the best locations for normal travelers because it’s a real public park with established trails. If you’re doing a “Dunk & Egg road trip,” this is a strong half-day hike/photo stop that doesn’t require special access.
Mourne Mountains & Slievemoughanmore (the “Elm Tree” area)
One of the most talked-about “pilgrimage shots” is the early sequence location tied to Dunk and Ser Arlan—often discussed as the Elm Tree area. Reporting places this filming spot near the Mourne Mountains, specifically naming Slievemoughanmore. This is the kind of landscape that sells the show’s tone: not royal glamour, but open land, weather, and the hard reality of a knight with few resources.
Visiting note: multiple sources emphasize the “tree” itself is a prop—so don’t expect a permanent monument. Treat this like any mountain hike: check conditions, respect farmland/property boundaries, and don’t go chasing GPS coordinates into somewhere you shouldn’t be.
Newry & Hen Mountain (reported location work)
Some location reporting places filming around Newry, including work near Hen Mountain. This fits the production’s overall pattern: Northern Ireland gives you forests, hills, and “old world” backdrops close enough together that crews can move fast without losing the visual identity of Westeros.
Related YouTube watch (locations + vibes)
If you want a quick visual “feel” for the show’s look (and how it translates from real landscapes to Westeros), here’s a related YouTube video that fans have been using as a jumping-off point for discussion:
Was anything filmed outside Northern Ireland?
The safest statement, based on official and local reporting, is that Northern Ireland is the primary filming home (with Belfast as the production base). You may see some speculation about additional work elsewhere (for example, Spain is sometimes mentioned in “could be” terms), but at least some coverage explicitly flags those claims as unconfirmed.
What Reddit Fans Say About Visiting These Locations
A lot of the best “boots on the ground” travel planning comes from other fans comparing notes: which places are actually accessible, what’s worth a long drive, and what’s better as a quick photo stop. Here’s a relevant Reddit thread where fans discuss Northern Ireland filming and location-hunting energy:
And for pure fandom hype (and a surprisingly useful timeline marker for promo drops), this discussion thread around official key art is also a fun snapshot of how the community follows releases:
Mini itinerary: a simple 2-day filming-locations loop
If you want a realistic plan that doesn’t turn your trip into a cross-country endurance test, this is the most straightforward way to do it:
- Day 1 (Belfast base): Belfast (city) → coastal drive → Glenarm area (exteriors) → back to Belfast.
- Day 2 (County Down): Tollymore Forest Park (hike + photos) → Mourne Mountains viewpoint/hike (conditions permitting) → Strangford area (respect private property around Myra Castle).
FAQ: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms filming locations
Where was A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms filmed?
Officially, production commenced in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and the show’s key filming footprint is strongly tied to Northern Ireland locations (castles, forests, and mountain landscapes).
Was Glenarm Castle used in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms?
Glenarm Castle (and its estate) is widely reported as a major location for Ashford Meadow-related scenes, and it’s also promoted as a film/TV location by the estate itself.
Can you visit Myra Castle?
Plan cautiously: at least some reporting describes Myra Castle as privately owned and not generally open to the public. Treat it as a “look, don’t trespass” location unless you have explicit access.
Is Tollymore Forest Park a real place you can hike?
Yes—Tollymore is a real forest park with established trails, and it’s officially recognized as a filming location for Game of Thrones, which makes it a natural fit for this franchise’s return to Northern Ireland landscapes.
Was the “Elm Tree” location real?
The landscape is real, but reporting around the specific “tree” emphasizes it was a prop. The area is associated with the Mournes, with Slievemoughanmore named in location coverage.
Final note: filming locations change in certainty over time—especially for newer shows—because some spots are officially confirmed (like production beginning in Belfast), while others are pieced together from local reporting, on-location sightings, and credible entertainment-location coverage. When in doubt, treat any “exact spot” claims as approximate, and prioritize legal access over perfect reenactment.