Confirmed · Antrim coast and glens · Landscape

Cushendun Caves

Stormlands cove where Melisandre's shadow appears in Game of Thrones. Open to visitors; allow 30 minutes.

A path leading past conglomerate rock arches and the dark mouth of a sea cave at Cushendun — Photo: amanderson2 / Flickr · CC BY 2.0 ↗

On screen as: Stormlands cove where Melisandre's shadow appears
Series and episodes: Game of Thrones Season 2
Access: Open to visitors
Time needed: 30 minutes
Where: Cushendun, County Antrim

On screen

How Cushendun Caves appears

One of the strangest scenes of season two was filmed here. Davos Seaworth rows Melisandre to a rocky cove beneath Storm's End, and inside the cave she gives birth to a shadow creature that will kill Stannis's rival. The production used the dark cave mouth and the rough conglomerate rock as they are, adding only the boat and the effect. In the story the cove lies on the coast of the Stormlands in the south-east of Westeros; in reality it is just south of a small village in the Glens of Antrim. Accounts differ on the exact episode number, so this guide links the caves to the season rather than a single episode.

The real place

What you can visit

The caves are a series of arches and chambers cut into pebbly conglomerate rock, formed over millions of years, a few minutes' walk south of Cushendun along the shore road. Cushendun itself is a small National Trust village with Cornish-style cottages, a sandy beach and the mouth of the Glendun River. The caves are free and open at all times. A plaque marks the filming. Beyond the main cave is private property, so go no further than the public shore path.

Check tide times before walking onto any beach or into a cave, keep back from cliff edges and wet rock, and turn back if the sea is rough. Phone signal can be patchy on this coast.

Discover Northern Ireland: Game of Thrones filming locations ↗

Getting there.

Cushendun is on the A2 Antrim coast road, about an hour from Belfast and 25 minutes south-east of Ballycastle. Park in the village car park by the beach and walk south along the shore road to the caves. The path is short and mostly level, though the cave floors are rough and wet.

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Common questions

Planning a responsible visit

Where are the Game of Thrones caves in Northern Ireland?

At Cushendun on the Antrim coast, a short walk south of the village car park. They played the Stormlands cove in season two, in the scene with Davos and Melisandre.

Are Cushendun Caves free to visit?

Yes. They are on the public shore path and open at all times, with a free car park in the village. Go no further than the main cave, as the land beyond is private.

Which episode features Cushendun Caves?

The scene is in season two. Sources disagree on whether to tie it to a specific episode number, so we list it at season level and leave the exact episode out.

Plan your visit