Tollymore Forest Park

Tollymore Forest Park—Where Winter Began

“In Tollymore, winter isn’t coming.
It has already passed through… and left moss behind.”

At the foot of the Mourne Mountains in County Down lies one of Northern Ireland’s most cinematic landscapes — Tollymore Forest Park.

Opened to the public on 2 June 1955, it became the first state forest park in Northern Ireland. Before that, the land belonged to the Clanbrassil and later Roden families, who shaped its bridges, gates, and romantic stone structures that still define its character today.

But let’s be honest.

Most people come here because winter began here.

Yes—this forest became the backdrop for scenes from Game of Thrones. The Haunted Forest. The discovery of the direwolves. The chilling moment when the Night’s Watch encountered the White Walkers.

And then we arrived.

Dana, Piotr and Jaro—armed with cameras, phones, and unrealistic plans of a “short walk”.

Trails Worth Getting Lost On

Tollymore offers four marked trails:

Blue Trail (Arboretum Path—0.8 km)—short but diverse.
Red Trail (River Trail – 5 km) – following the Shimna River and Parnell’s Bridge.
Black Trail (Mountain Trail—8 km)—for those seeking elevation and views.
Drinns Trail (5 km extension)—panoramic woodland loops.

All routes begin and end at the main car park—even if Piotr starts questioning life choices halfway through.

The Game of Thrones Connection

Parnell’s Bridge

Parnell’s Bridge appears in Season 1.
The riverbanks became the setting for the Stark children discovering the direwolf pups.
And deep within the forest, the Wildling Pit introduced viewers to the terror of the White Walkers.

Standing there, surrounded by moss-covered roots and filtered green light, you understand why filmmakers chose this place.

It doesn’t need CGI.

Beyond Westeros

Tollymore also featured in Dracula Untold (2014), which makes perfect sense. The forest feels ancient, theatrical, and slightly unpredictable.

But beyond the film references, this is a place of layered history, aristocratic legacy, and accessible wilderness.

And for us?

Dana tested survival without coffee (unsuccessful).
Piotr inspected every bridge like a medieval engineer.
Jaro photographed moss as if it were a royal portrait.

Final Thoughts

Tollymore Forest Park is where history meets cinema, and where nature quietly dominates both.

You don’t just walk here.

You enter a story.

📍 Location: County Down, near Newcastle
🚗 Parking: Large main car park (daily fee applies)
🥾 Distance: 0.8–13 km depending on trail combinations
⏱ Duration: 2–4 hours
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Difficulty: Easy to moderate trails, well-marked routes
📷 Best time: Early morning or late afternoon for dramatic light