The Game of Thrones Day

You're going to need a proper breakfast for what lies ahead. Niki's on Main Street does big, no-nonsense fry-ups and strong coffee. It's the kind of place where locals actually eat, not a tourist trap. Get in early, grab a window seat, and mentally prepare yourself to enter the Seven Kingdoms.

This is where it all began. Literally. The very first scene of the very first episode was filmed right here — three Night’s Watch rangers creeping through the trees before their fatal encounter with the White Walkers. Walk the river trail past the moss-covered stone bridges and you’ll feel it: the eerie, ancient atmosphere that made this forest the obvious choice for the Haunted Forest. The Shimna River path is where the Stark children found the direwolf pups in the snow, and the old bridges doubled as the Kingsroad. Allow a good couple of hours. Bring a camera — the morning mist through the trees is the real magic.

The big one. Castle Ward’s 18th-century farmyard was transformed into the courtyard of Winterfell, and honestly, you’ll recognise it immediately. This is where Ned Stark stood, where Robert Baratheon arrived with his royal procession, and where Jon Snow taught Bran to shoot a bow. Speaking of which — you can actually try the archery yourself at the Winterfell Archery Experience (book ahead). The National Trust runs the estate, and there’s a small exhibition of props and costumes. The grounds around the castle are gorgeous even if you’ve never seen the show. Wander down to the lough shore for views that’ll make you want to swear fealty to House Stark.

Strangford (‘Strangfjorðr’ — the Vikings named it ‘Strong Fjord’ for the fierce tidal currents) is a tiny, gorgeous village right on the lough. For lunch, The Cuan is an old coaching inn with excellent seafood and a warm, pub-grub atmosphere — think fish and chips, chowder, local crab. If you want something quicker, The Lobster Pot does a brilliant bowl of chowder you can eat overlooking the water. Neither will break the bank. The Strangford–Portaferry car ferry runs right past the village — it’s worth watching while you eat.

These atmospheric Cistercian ruins, sitting in a field beside the River Quoile, doubled as the camp of Robb Stark near the Twins. This is where Robb learned of Ned’s death and was crowned King in the North — that triumphant, hair-raising moment when the Northern lords drew their swords and chanted. Stand in the ruins and you can almost hear it. Inch Abbey is a 12th-century monastery founded by John de Courcy, and even without the GoT connection, it’s a hauntingly beautiful spot. Free to visit, never crowded. One of those places where you get the whole ruin to yourself.

Just a short drive back towards Castle Ward, this 15th-century tower house sits on a hilltop overlooking Strangford Lough. It was used for exterior shots around the Twins — Walder Frey’s territory. The walk up is short but steep, and the reward is a panoramic view across the lough that’s genuinely one of the best in County Down. If the light is right (late afternoon is perfect), the lough shimmers below and you can see all the way to the Ards Peninsula. A brilliant spot for photos.

You’ve got two solid options. If you’re near Strangford, The Cuan does a proper sit-down dinner — locally caught seafood, good steaks, and a pint of Whitewater in front of the fire. Very civilised end to a day of conquering kingdoms. If you’d rather head back to Newcastle (about 40 minutes), the Mourne Seafood Bar in Dundrum is legendary, or try the Anchor Bar for something a bit more relaxed. Either way, you’ve earned it. The North Remembers, and so will you.