HBO Licensing & Retail is teaming up with Linen Mill Studios to present fans with a unique experience with the Game of Thrones Studio Tour. Set to open in Spring 2020 in the Banbridge, Northern Ireland studio, the tour invites visitors to step into the brutal and enchanting world conceived by George R.R. Martin, surrounded by authentic sets, costumes and props from the hit series — including the upcoming eighth and final season. The 110,000 sq. ft. interactive experience is the first in a series of Game of Thrones Legacy projects announced by HBO last year.
“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,” said Jeff Peters, VP, Licensing & Retail, HBO.
Located within Linen Mill Studios — the original filming location used for many iconic scenes throughout the run of the series — the tour will bring visitors face-to-face with original set pieces, costumes, props and weapons used to create the worlds of Westeros and Essos. Featuring a compelling mix of behind-the-scenes insights, interactive elements, and expansive, fully dressed sets, visitors will 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.
“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.
A world-class creative team is working closely with Linen Mill Studios and HBO to bring these dynamic environments to life in a new format. The deeply immersive and sensory experience will evoke the magnificence of King’s Landing, Winterfell, Dragonstone, The Wall and the lands beyond, and kingdoms across the Narrow Sea like Mereen and Braavos. The Game of Thrones Studio Tour will allow fans from around the world to experience the craftsmanship and artistry of the Game of Thrones production team as part of the show’s largest exhibition of authentic artifacts ever.
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.
“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,” said Richard Williams, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Screen.
“We very much welcome this exciting announcement. 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. 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 recognizing 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.
