Categories: things to do

For fans of the Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Amongst Thieves movie, you'll want to visit the filming locations and the great news is that they're easy to explore. We've included key details below on what you'll find and where across counties Down and Antrim, just a short drive from Belfast.

Spoiler alert for those who are not familiar with the plot line!

County Down

The majestic Mourne Mountains with its wide expanses, the ancient woodlands and Pines of Scale of Tollymore Forest, the old outbuildings and tranquil shores of Strangford Lough at Castle Ward Estate were all a film maker’s heaven, recreating a rich fantasy world of adventure.

Sandy Brae, Attical and Hen Mountain, provided some of the wilder expanses approaching Neverwinter – some areas were given the Dungeons and Dragons treatment using CGI, bringing the dead of winter to Northern Ireland.

Tollymore Forest

Dungeons and Dragons characters horse riding through Tollymore Forest

Follow the charming thief Edgin (Chris Pine) and his band of unlikely adventurers Holga (Michelle Rodriguez), Simon (Justin Smith) and Doric the Druid (Sophia Lillis) on their epic heist to retrieve a lost relic. Much of the adventure and dangers they encounter took place in Tollymore Forest, better known as the magical Neverwinter.

Explore the scenic Foley Bridge, the nearby pools of water on the Shimna River, the areas around More’s Bridge, Old Bridge and Altavaddy Bridge as well as the tall ancient woodlands found across Tollymore Forest which all featured in the movie.

Castle Ward Estate

 Castle Ward Estate in Dungeons and Dragons showing Simon (Justin Smith), Edgin (Chris Pine), Xenk (Regé-Jean Page), Doric (Sophia Lillis) & Holga (Michelle Rodriguez)

Castle Ward Estate’s coal quay, on the shores of Strangford Lough provides the backdrop for Dresden Dock where Edgin, Holga, Simon and Doric first see Xenk the Paladin (Regé-Jean Page) in action, heroically saving a baby cat from a big fish.

The outhouses in front of the clock tower - incidentally used in Game of Thrones® - is where Edgin and company eventually meet Xenk, in their quest to find the much sought-after relic.

County Antrim

The grandeur of Co. Antrim’s castles and rugged coastlines are used to best effect, providing the backdrop for magical kingdoms and landscapes in the movie. The already TV and film famous coastline lent itself perfectly to transform into Neverwinter Harbour and Sea of Swords.

Carrickfergus Castle

Chris and Regé-Jean filming a scene for Dungeons and Dragons in Carrickfergus Castle

 A number of scenes were filmed in and around the Norman Castle of Carrickfergus. The Castle’s Keep becomes The Harpers’ Sanctuary. The gated archway at the base of the Castle (close to the original harbour) connects Neverwinter with Neverwinter Harbour. The old stone harbour between Carrickfergus Castle and Carrickfergus Marina was transformed into the Harbour – where Forge (Hugh Grant) unsuccessfully attempts to escape with the stolen riches. The expansive Lough Neagh makes an appearance as the hapless group try to escape Neverwinter by Sea.

Glenarm Castle Estate

Chris Pine filming a scene for Dungeons and Dragons outside Glenarm Castle

The stately Barbican Gate linking the village of Glenarm and Glenarm Castle Estate first appears in the initial flashback scene in the movie, with Edgin in one of his many guises. The Castle and Gate appears again later on in the movie as the often funny and action-packed drama unfolds.

 
Ballintoy Beach

Ballintoy Beach appears as the adventurers emerge from the Sea of Swords; it’s at this point Xenk bids farewell in only the fashion that he can – in a straight line!  This picturesque location provides the backdrop for several other scenes of magic and wizardry of the epic fantasy adventure.

Ballintoy Beach – Behind the Scenes of the Dungeons and Dragons movie

If after reading this Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Amongst Thieves has cast its spell on you, why not start planning your own magical adventure on a trip around some of the many fantasy locations available to visit in real life? Along the way you're sure to recognise much of our incredible scenery as the backdrop to other popular TV shows and movies, including The Lost City of Z, Dracula Untold, Game of Thrones® and The Frankenstein Chronicles.

Tollymore Forest Park
Forest Parks
Tollymore Forest Park

Covering an area of almost 630 hectares at the foot of the Mourne mountains, Tollymore Forest Park has panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the sea at Newcastle. It's open to the public all year.

Castle Ward
The National Trust
Castle Ward

Discover a place of contrasts and creativity at Castle Ward, an eccentric 18th century mansion and estate looking out over the tranquil waters of Strangford Lough in County Down where visitors can explore cultivated gardens, sheltered woodland and the shoreline.

Carrickfergus Castle
Castle / Fort
A woman and child having a pretend sword fight in the room at the top of the castle keep with the sun beaming through the window behind.

For more than 800 years, Carrickfergus Castle has been an imposing monument on the Northern Irish landscape whether approached by land, sea or air. The castle now houses historical displays as well as cannons from the 17th to the 19th centuries.

Glenarm Castle & Garden
Historic Sites, Houses, Castles & Buildings
Aerial view of Glenarm Castle & Gardens with the ocean beyond.

Crowned "Historic Houses 2023 Garden of the Year", Glenarm Castle and its walled gardens are a true national treasure. One of Ireland's oldest estates, and home to the Earls of Antrim, Glenarm Castle offers incredible garden walks, with stunning planting displays year round. Don't miss the annual tulip festival which takes place every May.