At Castle Ward, simply walking around the house is enough to step into another era — almost. On the entrance side, there is a classical façade with orderly lines. On the garden side, a Gothic Revival silhouette looks out over the waters of Strangford Lough. Below, a former farmyard became Winterfell on screen. Set in County Down, Northern Ireland, this estate brings together an 18th-century house, historic gardens and paths leading down to the shore. Come for Game of Thrones, and stay for everything else.
The present house was built in the 1760s for Bernard Ward and his wife, Lady Ann Bligh. Its architecture holds a rare surprise: the entrance façade is classical, while the garden-facing side is Gothic Revival in style. The contrast continues indoors, right through to the decoration of the rooms.
It is often said that this blend arose from a disagreement between the couple over their respective tastes. It is an appealing story, but remains a traditional explanation rather than an established fact. Even the architect’s name is unknown. What is certain is that the house was positioned to make the most of views over Strangford Lough: as you move from one façade to the other, it becomes clear just how integral the landscape was to the design.
A self-guided visit allows you to explore the Georgian rooms, discover the collections and descend into the spaces once occupied by the servants. Castle Ward therefore tells two stories at once: that of the owners who entertained upstairs, and that of the people who kept the house running day to day.
The name Castle Ward can easily cause confusion. The 18th-century house is not the fortified tower visible near the old farmyard. The latter, known as Old Castle Ward, dates from the late 16th or early 17th century. Built over three storeys, it is a reminder that the Wards were established here long before the grand house was built.
Over the generations, the family developed the estate, laid out its gardens and reshaped the landscape around their successive residences. Castle Ward therefore offers several centuries of history in one place: an old tower house, a Georgian residence and the farm buildings that supported life on the estate.
Game of Thrones
Fans of Game of Thrones will chiefly recognise the historic farmyard. It was used to portray parts of Winterfell, the seat of House Stark, during the series’ first season. This is where the scenes of the Stark children’s archery training were filmed, among others.
The distinction is worth making before your visit: the grand Gothic Revival house is not “Winterfell Castle”. The series used the farm buildings, their courtyard and the surrounding estate as its setting. Other Winterfell sequences were later filmed on sets built for the production. The appeal of the site lies precisely in finding this real place behind the fictional images, then looking beyond the Starks: the farmyard had a history of its own long before the cameras arrived.
Castle Ward covers around 332 hectares, encompassing meadows, woodland and the shores of Strangford Lough. Close to the house, the gardens change in character according to the path you take. The Sunken Garden offers floral displays; further on, the former pleasure gardens lead towards the Temple Water, a long stretch of water created as part of the landscape.
You can follow the lime avenue, pass by the pinetum, planted with trees and shrubs from elsewhere, then make your way to Lady Ann’s Temple. From its columns, the view extends across the water and the estate grounds. The setting may seem very natural today, but its vistas were conceived and shaped over the centuries.
To explore Castle Ward on foot, choose a route to suit the time you have and how you feel that day. The Shore Trail, around 1.9 km long, is a short walk through the landscapes of the lough. A longer loop of around 4 km takes in the farmyard and the surroundings of Audley’s Castle, a medieval tower standing out near the water.
This detour reveals the estate at its best. Within a few kilometres, you leave the house’s carefully kept façades behind, cross its former working areas and reach a shore open to Strangford Lough. Wear suitable footwear if you plan to extend your walk, as the trails and their conditions can vary with the weather.
If you have limited time, start with the house, walk around its two façades, then head to the Game of Thrones farmyard. If you have more time, add the gardens and a walk to the lough or Audley’s Castle: it is only once you move away from the house that the full scale of Castle Ward becomes clear.
The estate also has a tearoom and a shop for a break. Before setting off, check the house opening times separately from those of the grounds, as well as access arrangements and trail conditions on the official National Trust page for Castle Ward. The site’s different areas may not be accessible at the same times.
Castle Ward lies near the village of Strangford, in County Down. Fans of the series will find a memorable filming location here; everyone else will discover an unusual house and one of the region’s finest reasons to walk down to the shores of the lough.
Essential information to help you plan your visit, including key landmarks, access information, and booking options.
à Strangford, Strangford, County Down, Northern Ireland, Tourist sites in Ireland
54.367343, -5.581612
Monday to Saturday
Check the opening hours and admission requirements before you leave, especially during peak season or on Irish public holidays.
