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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
Entertainment
Sarah Scott

Game of Thrones studio tour review: A mesmerising treat for fans of all ages

Just over a decade ago a show aired which would change the face of television, and Northern Ireland's public image, forever.

Game of Thrones was a global phenomenon, a juggernaut which catapulted its stars to stratospheric fame and the world found itself looking at our wee country in a new light.

In 2010, it is safe to say the screen industry here was still in its infancy, but HBO's decision to base the majority of filming for its latest show in Northern Ireland was key to transforming the sector into what we see today.

Read more: Film chiefs on hunt to fill slot for Titanic Studios after major show cancelled

Spotting some of the world's biggest stars shooting their latest projects on the streets of Belfast is now commonplace with the likes of Kevin Hart, Charlize Theron and Nicole Kidman calling Northern Ireland home lately.

The story of how we became the rising star of filming locations is intrinsically tied to Game of Thrones and its unprecedented success.

The cameras may have stopped rolling on the world's biggest TV show, but the buzz around Game of Thrones is set to continue indefinitely as fans continue to devour every detail and new devotees are born, especially with the imminent release of the prequel, House of the Dragon.

And there is no better place to appreciate and discover the true magic behind the show than one of the actual filming locations which have just been turned into the Game of Thrones Studio Tour.

Linen Mill Studios, outside Banbridge, was one of the original filming locations of the show and is now a fan's paradise with everything from costumes and props to actual parts of the set, telling the story of how the show was brought to life.

My husband and I have been fans of the show from the beginning. He started watching it first and tried to get me on board. I was sceptical at first, I didn't think a fantasy show would be my thing - but from the first episode, I was hooked.

So when the opportunity came up to explore what the show left Northern Ireland as its legacy, I jumped at the chance.

Best of all, the tour is family-friendly so we headed down with our young son in tow to bring him behind the scenes and show him how a TV show is brought to life. An excellent education experience considering the opportunities now on our doorstep within the industry.

He was just very excited he was going to get to see dragons and knights with swords - it was a win for everybody.

The set-up is as slick as you would imagine for something that has been given the thumbs up from HBO.

The tour begins with a green screen photo opportunity, always a big hit in the age of social media, before you are ushered into a room that screens a video intro for the tour.

Clips from the show flash before you as cast member Nathalie Emmanuel narrates the show's success before the secret entrance is revealed.

This section is quite loud but staff are on hand with ear defenders for little ones or anyone with sensory needs who may find this too much.

It is a self-guided tour so from this point you are free to explore and take in each section at your own pace. The sheer amount there is to see is unbelievable. Reflecting back I already want to return as I know there are bits I missed or skimmed over.

Every single part has been well thought out, even the temperature changes as you walk through the tour which starts in the north and ends in the south of Westeros.

The staff on hand are so helpful and clearly big fans of the show who are keen to talk about their favourite parts of the tour, with many even having starred as extras and willing to open up about the secrets they gleamed from filming.

I've previously visited the Harry Potter studio tour in Watford but there is something more intimate and special about what is being offered with the Game of Thrones version.

There is a real pride you can feel from those working here, a passion to share their love of the show, and joy at how it has transformed the screen industry here and put us on the map. You just can't beat that spark people here have and it really makes the experience what it is.

As you journey through the tour there are numerous interactive activities our son adored. From creating your own House crest to fighting off White Walkers with a bow and arrow and putting your face in the Hall of Faces.

The TV show itself may not be suitable for all the family, but the tour brings out the best bits of the show for everyone which means kids can enjoy it.

One of the surprising aspects of the tour was the great food on offer in the restaurant. Sometimes it's easy to dismiss on-site catering at popular attractions as some are definitely less than impressive.

But the restaurant at the Game of Thrones Studio Tour is on another level. The space itself is very modern with a lovely bar for those who fancy a tipple, and the menu is not what you may expect with food with a little flare on offer.

I opted for the hot and spicy wings with chips, while my partner went for the fish and chips and our son, the fish fingers and chips. Now he is a tricky customer to impress so when he sat and happily ate away at his meal, we were over the moon.

The meal was delicious and a special shout-out for the chips as they were my idea of heaven on a plate, just perfect. Again, the staff were super friendly and helpful and made sure our son had a high chair and anything else to make our dining experience enjoyable.

They also offer a pretty good family meal deal, lunch and a soft drink for two adults and two children for £38.

Refuelled and ready to go, we headed back out to explore the rest of the tour.

For me, the highlights were the interactive experiences, watching my son giggling away or watching his mouth hang open as he got close to giant dragon heads and knights.

The number of people it takes to bring a show like Game of Thrones to life is mind-boggling, the amount of detail that went into every costume, each weapon, and the various sets. You get a true understanding of this on the tour.

The legacy the show leaves behind for Northern Ireland is one we should be extremely grateful for, not only for what it has done for the screen industry, but also for tourism.

It was a game-changer.

It was previously reported to have brought £251m into the economy since production began in 2010. Other figures suggest 350,000 people come to Northern Ireland every year just for Game of Thrones - that is one in six leisure visitors.

So Game of Thrones may be over but it lives on within the walls of the studio tour and it is something we should all appreciate, even if you did not watch the show.

It gave us an opportunity to shift the conversation around Northern Ireland, change the headlines and build on something new.

So make sure you take some time and bring the family down to marvel at the role our country played in creating one of the biggest shows in the world.

Read more: Derry Girls' Granda Joe says Tommy Tiernan was 'quiet' on Channel 4 set

Read more: NI's Blu Hydrangea excited to front new 'fast-paced and fun' BBC show

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