The Dark Hedges tree tunnel road in Northern Ireland

The Dark Hedges: A Delightfully Dramatic Tree Tunnel in Northern Ireland

The Dark Hedges: A Delightfully Dramatic Tree Tunnel in Northern Ireland

Atlas Obscura
Your Guide to the World's Hidden Wonders
Dec. 12 2014 11:23 AM

The Dark Hedges: A Delightfully Dramatic Tree Tunnel in Northern Ireland

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On a small section of Bregagh Road, in the Northern Ireland parish of Ballymoney, rows of beech trees stretch their limbs from either side to form a canopy of intertwining boughs. This dramatic stretch of road, known as the Dark Hedges, was originally intended to impress visitors to Gracehill House, the mansion built at the end of the road circa 1775. The Stuart family, owners of Gracehill, planted the beeches so that those approaching their home by horse-drawn carriage would gaze up and think, "Wow. Stately. This is truly a manse to remember."

If your thoughts when looking at these photos are more along the lines of, “That looks exactly like the King’s Road along which Arya Stark traveled in the guise of a boy with Yoren, Gendry, and Hot Pie in order to join the Night’s Watch in season two, episode one of Game of Thrones,” you’re a sharp one. That scene was shot on this very road.

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Ella Morton is a writer working on The Atlas Obscura, a book about global wonders, curiosities, and esoterica adapted from Atlas Obscura. Follow her on Twitter.