Game of Thrones Horse Riding Experiences

Enjoy a hearty full Irish breakfast before setting off to begin the next stage of your Game of Thrones riding adventure. Your driver will transport you to the seaside village of Castlerock where tacked horses await. Depending on the high tide times, we will start of riding on Castlerock beach and follow the beach to the adjoining Downhill beach riding on the sand below the towering basalt cliffs and towards the lonely Mussenden Temple regally perched 120-feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Inspired by the Roman Temple of Vesta in Tivoli, Rome, Mussenden Temple was used as a summer library for Frederick Augustus Hervey, Bishop of Derry and Earl of Bristol and sits behind the ruins of the Earl’s 18th century home, Downhill House. This iconic and dominating temple doubled as the setting of the enigmatic Dragonstone. It is here that Melisandre burned the effigies of the 7 New God’s and Stannis renounced the God’s of his ancestors, embracing the faith of the Red God instead.

As we round the cliffs and headland arriving on to Downhill beach with its magnificent mountain backdrop, cliff scenery and views across to Scotland & Donegal, we’ll take a swift canter or gallop across miles of flat open beach crossing the river on to Benone strand, with miles of more sand beach to cover before we arrive at Magilligan Point from where the ferry leaves to take vehicles and foot passenger across Lough Foyle to Co Donegal. We will tie up our horses and stop for some refreshments at the Point Inn before riding back across the golden sands, through sand dunes stopping to view the waterfalls cascading of the majestic cliffs of Bennevanagh mountain.

We’ll leave the beach and, after a brief hill climb, with panoramic views of ocean and land, will sneak through the Bishops Gate, which was once the entrance to Downhill House towards the seaside town of Castlerock. We’ll stop for lunch at a local coffee shop & restaurant, Crusoe’s, renowned for its unique Panini’s and homemade soups, to rest & recharge before heading out again.

Overnight: County Antrim

Today, Horses and riders are transported to Fairhead, NI’s tallest cliff face, rising 600ft above sea level on the Causeway Coast. Once saddled, we will ride across the farmland and through the area which was used to film parts of Season Seven, forming the backdrop for much of Episode Three, “The Queen’s Justice”, which saw Jon Snow finally meet Daenerys and her dragons at Dragonstone, and reunite with Tyrion Lannister.

Your day will continue as you ride along the scenic back roads towards Murlough Bay. This secluded bay is hailed as one of the most beautiful places in the Emerald Isle and so it is no wonder that this haven boasts 3 different scenes from the series. Relive, what was meant to be, Theon’s triumphant homecoming, Jorah and Tyrion’s capture by slavers in Essos and the fated meeting between Stannis and Renly way back in season 2.

The bay itself, is sheltered from the North west winds blowing in off the sea and here you will find trees flourishing on the grassy slopes running down to the sea which provide a haven for the wild deer which room across its pasture.

You can’t work a hungry horse, or rider so that matter so it’s time to fuel up. While you are eating, you horse will be transported to an old disused stage coach track where you will soon join them. This was once the old coach road to Cushendun in the Glens of Antrim which rides past the mystical Loughareema, known locally as the Vanishing Lake. This area is surrounded by myths and legends and your guide will take the time to regal these stories to you.
We will follow the old coach road through the hills into the Glen of Glendun, one of the famed Nine Glens of Antrim. We’ll follow the Glendun River (that’s sometimes meandering and other times a raging torrent) as we make our way to the picturesque village of Cushendun, viewing stunning fauna & flora, riding through ash and hazel in this beautiful Glen characterized by bright green rowans, purple heather and soaring birds of prey.

Riding on Cushendun strand we will pass the ruins of Carra Castle before making our way to the famous Cushendun Caves—an impressive system of caves formed over 400-million years ago. More recently, the caves doubled as the caves of ‘Storm’s End’. In season 2 the Game of Thrones crew filmed the dramatic scene here in which Ser Davos Seaworth (the Onion Knight), on the orders of Lord Stannis, reluctantly takes the Red Priestess Melisandre ashore where she gives birth to a shadow baby, the shadow which later assassinates King Renly Baratheon.

An unusual character of Cushendun is “Johann the Goat”, a bronze sculpture situated close to the mouth of the River Dun. Johann lived in the harbour area for many years, grazing the riverbanks and welcoming visitors bearing apples or carrots. In 2001, he was the last animal to be culled during the foot and mouth outbreak. His statue remains a memorial to the farmers in the district who lost their livestock. Today, another goat carries on Johann’s tradition and can be seen resting beneath the feet of Johann’s sculpture or grazing along the banks.

As your Game of Thrones adventure comes to an end, its time to bid farewell to your BEI guide and trusted stead who has shared this adventure with you. You will be transported back to your accommodation with pictures and memories of a truly epic real-life Game of Thrones adventure.