Audley’s Castle

Audley's Castle: The Free Tower House Above Strangford Lough, Where Game of Thrones Arrived

In the first season of Game of Thrones, the fields and approaches to Castle Ward became Winterfell — the ancestral seat of the Starks. The fields around Audley's Castle, a quarter mile from Castle Ward, were used for scenes in King Robert Baratheon's arrival at Winterfell in Episode 1, with the tower house serving as part of the wider Winterfell setting. For millions of viewers, this corner of Strangford Lough is permanently associated with the opening of one of the most-watched television dramas in history.

Audley's Castle predates Game of Thrones by about six centuries. It is a 15th-century tower house, three storeys of local stone on a small hill above the lough, built by the Audley family who had held land here since the 13th century — land originally granted by the Anglo-Norman knight John de Courcy, who also built Carrickfergus Castle in 1177. Entry to the castle is free. The site is open during daylight hours. The views from the top over Strangford Lough are exceptional. This guide covers everything you need to know.

Where Is Audley's Castle?

Audley's Castle is on Audleystown Road in Portloughan, near Strangford, County Down, Northern Ireland. It is most easily reached on foot from Castle Ward (National Trust), approximately 1 mile away, via the Lough Shore Trail through the estate. By car, take the A22 south from Belfast towards Downpatrick and follow signs for Castle Ward and Audley's Castle — around 30 minutes from Belfast. Parking is available at Castle Ward (fee may apply for non-National Trust members).

A Brief History of Audley's Castle

The Audley family held land in County Down from the 13th century, the grant originating with the Norman knight John de Courcy — the same de Courcy who built Carrickfergus Castle in the same year, 1177, as part of his campaign to consolidate Norman control of Ulster. The Audley family built the tower house that stands today in the 15th century, a standard defensive structure for minor Anglo-Norman landowners of the period.

In 1646, the castle and its surrounding lands were sold to the Ward family, who went on to build Castle Ward in the 1760s. The Ward family incorporated the medieval tower house into their designed landscape — by 1738, Audley's Castle had become a deliberate eye-catcher in the view along Castle Ward's artificial lake, Temple Water, its ruined silhouette framed as a picturesque feature within the estate.

In the 1850s, the Ward family cleared the nearby settlement of Audleystown, removing its inhabitants and shipping them to America as part of the widespread rural clearances that shaped 19th-century Ireland. The name of the nearby Audleystown Court Cairn — a Neolithic tomb predating the castle by over 4,000 years — is the oldest surviving connection to this landscape.

The remarkable thing about Audley's Castle is the layering of its historical associations: Neolithic tomb, Norman tower, 18th-century picturesque landscape, 19th-century clearance, 21st-century television. The Strangford Lough views from the top remain exactly as the Audley family and the Ward family would have known them.

Architecture & Design

Audley's Castle is a three-storey tower house, built from local stone with the thick walls and narrow windows typical of 15th-century Irish defensive architecture. Its design draws on the tradition of the nearby Kilclief Castle — a comparable tower house a few miles down the Strangford shore — reflecting the standardised castle-building methods of the Anglo-Norman gentry in County Down. The elevated hilltop position provided both a defensive advantage and the panoramic views of Strangford Lough that give the site its continuing appeal.

The exterior walls are substantially intact; the interior floors and fittings are long gone, but the shell of the tower communicates the scale and character of the original building with some clarity.

Legends & Lore

Audley's Castle has no established ghost tradition. Its modern fame is cinematic: the fields of Audley's Field and the tower house served as part of the Winterfell setting in Game of Thrones Season 1 — specifically the approach and surrounding landscape of King Robert Baratheon's visit to the Starks. For fans of the series, the site carries the particular resonance of a setting seen at the very beginning of the story, before the drama fully unfolds.

The historical layers of the site add their own weight. The Audleystown clearance of the 1850s — the village removed, its people shipped to America — is the kind of landscape history that attaches to a place permanently, whether or not it has a conventional legend.

Visiting the Castle

Audley's Castle is open during daylight hours and is free to enter. It is a Historic Environment Northern Ireland monument accessible via the Castle Ward estate grounds. No facilities are available at the castle itself — no café, no gift shop, no visitor centre.

The Lough Shore Trail within Castle Ward provides the most pleasant approach on foot, with views of Strangford Lough throughout. The tower house ruins can be explored from the outside and, with care, from within the shell; climbing is at visitors' own risk given the ruinous state. Photography is permitted throughout.

For those combining Audley's Castle with a wider Castle Ward visit, the National Trust estate also offers the Winterfell filming locations within the farmyard, the GoT-themed cycle trails operated by Clearsky Adventure Centre, and the mansion and gardens of Castle Ward itself.

Safety note: The tower house interior involves uneven surfaces and open drops on the upper levels. Supervise children at all times and take care near unstable masonry.

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For current access information, check the Castle Ward National Trust website.

Where to Stay Near Audley's Castle

Strangford village (1.5 miles north) has guesthouses and the Ferry Inn on the lough shore — one of the most pleasant small villages in County Down. Downpatrick (7 miles) has a wider range of accommodation.

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The Best Time to Visit

Spring (April to June) is the finest time for Audley's Castle and the Strangford Lough shore — the lough views are clear, the Castle Ward grounds are vivid and the site is quieter than in summer. The Lough Shore Trail walk from Castle Ward to the tower house in April is particularly good.

Summer (July to August) brings the best weather and the longest days. The castle is accessible year-round during daylight hours.

How to Get There

On foot from Castle Ward. The most pleasant approach — the Lough Shore Trail runs approximately 1 mile from Castle Ward to Audley's Castle through the estate grounds, with Strangford Lough views throughout.

By car. From Belfast via the A22 south (around 30 minutes), following signs for Castle Ward and Strangford. Parking is at Castle Ward.

By ferry. The Strangford Ferry from Portaferry crosses the lough to Strangford; from Strangford the castle is accessible by the Lough Shore Trail or on foot.

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Nearby Attractions

Audley's Castle sits within one of the finest heritage and landscape clusters in County Down.

Attraction	Why Visit	Distance
Castle Ward (National Trust)	The eccentric Palladian-Gothic mansion — and Winterfell from Game of Thrones — with 820 acres of estate and the Stableyard tea-room	~1 mile
Audleystown Court Cairn (Historic Environment NI)	A well-preserved Neolithic court tomb dating to around 4000 BCE, one of the finest megalithic monuments in County Down	~0.5 miles
Strangford Village	A lough-side village with the ferry terminal for Portaferry, guesthouses and The Cuan restaurant	~1.5 miles
Clearsky Adventure Centre	Game of Thrones cycling tours (Robb's Trail) departing from Castle Ward, plus kayaking and outdoor activities on Strangford Lough	~1 mile
Killyleagh Castle	Ireland's oldest inhabited castle — the O'Neill family home on the lough, with self-catering tower apartments	~8 miles

The natural Castle Ward day starts with the Winterfell farmyard and state rooms, walks the Lough Shore Trail to Audley's Castle, detours to the Audleystown Court Cairn, and returns for afternoon tea in the Stableyard — covering 6,000 years of Strangford Lough history.

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Family & Accessibility

Families. Audley's Castle is excellent for families — the GoT connection gives teenagers a hook, the free entry and open setting give young children space, and the Audleystown Court Cairn is only half a mile away (a Neolithic tomb 6,000 years old is a reliable draw for curious children).

Accessibility. The Lough Shore Trail approach is generally walkable but involves grass and uneven ground. The tower house interior is not suitable for wheelchair users. The Castle Ward estate has step-free paths in some areas — contact the National Trust before visiting for accessibility details.

Practical Tips

• Wear comfortable walking shoes — the Lough Shore Trail and castle approach involve grass and uneven surfaces.
• Pack a compact travel umbrella — the open lough shore is exposed.
• Bring a portable power bank for photography — the Strangford Lough views from the tower are exceptional.
• Combine with the Audleystown Court Cairn — half a mile away, one of the finest Neolithic monuments in Northern Ireland, and completely free.
• Photography is permitted throughout.
• Entry is free — no booking, no ticket.
• Overseas visitor? Pack a UK travel adapter for Type G plugs.

Conclusion

Audley's Castle has been on this hill above Strangford Lough since the 15th century. The Audley family built it. The Ward family made it a picturesque feature in their 18th-century landscape. The Ward family then cleared Audleystown and shipped its people to America. Game of Thrones came in the 21st century. The Neolithic tomb half a mile away is 6,000 years old. And the lough view is free, and the castle is free, and the walk from Castle Ward along the shore to reach it is one of the better short walks in County Down.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Audley's Castle free to visit?

Yes — entry is completely free. The castle is open during daylight hours with no booking required.

What is the Game of Thrones connection?

Audley's Castle and the surrounding fields (Audley's Field) were used in Game of Thrones Season 1 for scenes depicting King Robert Baratheon's arrival at Winterfell. The nearby Castle Ward estate served as the primary Winterfell location throughout the series.

How do I get to Audley's Castle from Castle Ward?

The Lough Shore Trail within the Castle Ward estate runs approximately 1 mile from Castle Ward to Audley's Castle, with Strangford Lough views throughout. Allow around 20 minutes on foot.

What is the Audleystown Court Cairn?

A Neolithic court tomb approximately half a mile from Audley's Castle, dating to around 4000 BCE — one of the best-preserved megalithic monuments in County Down and one of the oldest structures in Northern Ireland.

What happened to the village of Audleystown?

In the 1850s, the Ward family cleared the nearby settlement of Audleystown and shipped its inhabitants to America as part of the rural clearances of the period.

Is there a café at Audley's Castle?

No — there are no facilities at the castle itself. The Stableyard Tea Room at Castle Ward, approximately 1 mile away, serves refreshments.

Are dogs allowed at Audley's Castle?

Dogs on leads are generally welcome in the Castle Ward estate grounds and at the castle. Keep dogs under close control given the open lough shore and uneven terrain.

How do I get to Audley's Castle?

On foot via the Castle Ward Lough Shore Trail (1 mile). By car from Belfast via the A22 south (around 30 minutes), parking at Castle Ward. By ferry from Portaferry to Strangford, then on foot.

Is Audley's Castle wheelchair accessible?

The Lough Shore Trail approach involves grass and uneven ground. The tower house interior is not suitable for wheelchair users. The Castle Ward estate has some step-free paths — contact the National Trust for accessibility details before visiting.

Can I take photos at Audley's Castle?

Photography for personal use is permitted throughout the castle and grounds.