film location
Castle Ward (Winterfell)
The farmyard at Castle Ward on Strangford Lough was Winterfell's courtyard in season one; archery and banquet experiences run on site.
2 km · about 5 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomNorthern Ireland
Portaferry
Northern Ireland, United Kingdom · Europe
About Portaferry
Portaferry is worth a stop: 15 minutes from Killyleagh, 31km from Tollymore Forest Park.
Portaferry is in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, with about 2,500 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Killyleagh, about 7 km away.
Portaferry (from Irish Port an Pheire 'landing place of the ferry') is a village in County Down, Northern Ireland, at the southern end of the Ards Peninsula, near the Narrows at the entrance to Strangford Lough. It is home to the Exploris aquarium and is well known for the annual Gala Week Float Parade. It hosts itsRead more
own small Marina, the Portaferry Marina. The Portaferry–Strangford ferry service operates daily at 30-minute intervals (07:45 to 22:45) between the villages of Portaferry and Strangford, less than 1.5 km apart, conveying about 500,000 passengers per annum. Portaferry had a population of 2,372 people in the 2021 census. The village is in the Barony of Ards Upper.
Pot fishing, mainly for prawns and crabs and licensed shellfish farming takes place within Strangford Lough. Queen's University of Belfast have a Marine Research Laboratory on the shorefront. The village is also home to a research centre for Swedish tidal-kite developer Minesto. The lough is one of the world's most important marine sites with over 2,000 marine species.
There are fine Georgian buildings in the village square, including a Market House, now used as a community centre.
Portaferry Lifeboat is an essential lifeline for local fishermen and yachtsmen. The Atlantic 75 is the fastest seagoing lifeboat in the RNLI's fleet and is capable of speeds up to 34 knots.
Where to Stay in Portaferry
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Explore the Area
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Portaferry?
Within an hour or so of Portaferry: Castle Ward (Winterfell) (2 km), Craigantlet Hillclimb (30 km), Tollymore Forest Park (31 km), Slieve Donard and the Mourne Wall (33 km).
Are there any good drives near Portaferry?
The nearest famous roads are Craigantlet Hillclimb, Dundrod Circuit and Antrim Coast Road.
Where is Portaferry?
Portaferry is in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, about 7 km from Killyleagh.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 2,525
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- Northern Ireland
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 54.3809, -5.5457
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Portaferry
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
historic highway
Craigantlet Hillclimb
A hillclimb on public roads in the hills above Belfast, running since 1946 and closed to traffic only on event days. The narrow climb gives long views over Belfast Lough.
30 km · about 35 min drive
national park
Tollymore Forest Park
Northern Ireland's first state forest park at the foot of the Mourne Mountains, with Gothic arches, ancient trees and Game of Thrones filming locations.
31 km · about 35 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Slieve Donard and the Mourne Wall
Northern Ireland's highest peak at 850m, with the 22-mile granite Mourne Wall running over its summit.
33 km · about 40 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Mourne Mountains
Granite mountain range that inspired C.S. Lewis's Narnia, with the Mourne Wall traversing 15 peaks and sweeping views to the Irish Sea.
35 km · about 40 min drive
museum
Titanic Belfast
World-leading visitor attraction in a striking angular building on the exact spot where RMS Titanic was designed, built and launched in 1912.
35 km · about 40 min drive
museum
Ulster Transport Museum
Major transport museum at Cultra near Belfast, home to a gull-winged DeLorean DMC-12 built just miles away, Irish-built cars, locomotives and a renowned Titanic exhibition.
35 km · about 40 min drive
castle
Carrickfergus Castle
One of the best-preserved Norman castles in Ireland, guarding Belfast Lough for over 800 years from its commanding waterfront position.
41 km · about 45 min drive
Driving roads near Portaferry
7 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 100km.
- 30 kmCraigantlet HillclimbA hillclimb on public roads in the hills above Belfast, running since 1946 and closed to traffic only on event days. The narrow climb gives long views over Belfast Lough.
- 33 kmSlieve Donard and the Mourne WallNorthern Ireland's highest peak at 850m, with the 22-mile granite Mourne Wall running over its summit.
- 35 kmMourne MountainsGranite mountain range that inspired C.S. Lewis's Narnia, with the Mourne Wall traversing 15 peaks and sweeping views to the Irish Sea.
- 41 kmDundrod CircuitA 11.9km loop of Northern Irish country lanes still used for the Ulster Grand Prix motorcycle races, with jumps, stone walls and hedges inches from the racing line. Open public roads the rest of the year.
- 45 kmThe GobbinsA dramatic Edwardian cliff-path of bridges and tunnels clinging to the basalt cliffs of Islandmagee.
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
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