Missing Game of Thrones? Hop across the Irish Sea to discover the best of Westeros ... from Winterfell to Kings Landing

By Julien Davis

Published: 10:14 EDT, 18 June 2014 | Updated: 03:25 EDT, 19 June 2014

If you're already missing Game of Thrones after the dramatic conclusion of series four, Belfast and the surrounding counties of Northern Ireland await your imminent arrival.

The area is riding high on the crest of a wave of optimism off the back of serving as the backdrop for probably the hottest TV series in the world, and it doesn't look like subsiding any time soon.

The tourist craze of 'set-jetting', in which movie and TV fans visit the exact locations of iconic scenes from their favourite productions, has seen the show's faithful descending in their Dothraki hordes to the Northern Ireland settings that have hosted the show since its earliest chapters.

Second home: Emilia Clarke, who plays Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones, has filmed all four seasons of the hit HBO series in Northern Ireland

Eerie: These interwoven beech trees frame a landmark road of Westeros in the programme

Transformation: The remarkable natural landscape as seen in the show

First knight: County Down's Castle Ward, a 17th century farmhouse's courtyard, was in the first season

Around the coffee shops of the Cathedral Quarter, you will often hear mention of the 'Game of Thrones effect' and it’s easy to see why. HBO have invested more than £60 million in the region since the pilot episode was shot here in 2009 - no small amount of money - and locals will tell you that 'everyone knows somebody who’s worked on The Game of Thrones’. Clearly they have taken the show very much to heart.

While the GoT official exhibition closed on June 16, a burgeoning trade of though diligently operated tours and activities has grown up around the series. There is high demand to cater for the increasing number of fans who come to Northern Ireland from all over the world keen to 'get their Stark on'.

Over the space of one afternoon, I was able to visit numerous, spectacular and easily recognisable locations from Westeros along the Causeway and Glens coastal route.

Our guided tour took in the cave in which Melisandré gave birth to the terrifying 'Shadow Baby' (Cushendun Beach), the village of Pyke, where Theon Greyjoy first makes port on the Iron Islands (Ballintoy Harbour), the magnificent white cliffs of Renly Baratheon’s Encampment (Larrybane Headland) and the King’s Road to Winterfell at The Dark Hedges.

Pivotal moment: Melisandre as she brings the evil Shadow Baby into the Game of Thrones world

Birthing suite: The cave in which Melisandre gave birth to the terrifying little one is at Cushendun Beach

First call: Ballintoy Harbour is where Theon Greyjoy first makes port on the Iron Islands

Game of Thrones effect: The same scene as above as it's seen in the show

He's back: Theon Greyjoy returns to the Iron Islands

This last one in particular is an absolute must - its simply astonishing avenue of interwoven beech trees conveys an epic eeriness and beauty far more breath-taking than merely the opportunity for a certain-to-be 'liked' #GoTSelfie.

Indeed, I soon realise that this is true of so much of the beguiling scenery around Northern Ireland. Everywhere you pass along your travels, you are effortlessly engulfed by rolling fields and lush, verdant glens, evocative of so many scenes from Thrones. More than once I catch myself humming the theme tune's opening 'dum-dum, du-du-dum-dum' bars, half-expecting to see a battalion of knights charging over the hillside on horseback, Lannister sigils blustering in the breeze.

There is truly an embarrassment of riches to visit here; the Giant’s Causeway has yet to be used as a location (one assumes solely on account of its already iconic status) and at one point, as I stare across to the magnificent 13th Century ruins of Dunluce Castle, I’m so convinced that it has been the backdrop in Game of Thrones, I believe I can even remember the scene. Apparently not though, I am reliably informed. Not yet at least. Both are well worth a visit nonetheless.

Too iconic: Giant's Causeway is yet to be used in Thrones, perhaps because it's already too famous

Are you sure?: The 13th Century ruins of Dunluce Castle are so moody you'd be certain they've been used

Later, in a conversation with Robbie Boake, supervising locations manager on Thrones, he tells me that he has a huge locations catalogue of stunning vistas yet to be used in the show. 'Sometimes you see something in the script and you think "I already know exactly where that is"’,' he says in a South African accent much-softened by years on the Emerald Isle.

The next day our expedition takes on an extra dimension as we head to the very heart of the action - the family seat of House Stark, Winterfell itself. Set in the picturesque 800-acre grounds of Castle Ward, County Down, the 17th Century courtyard of an old farmhouse became home to the Game of Thrones crew for the entire duration of the first season.

Clearsky Adventure have done a first class job of offering informative packages covering various aspects of the Estate’s involvement in the programme, including archery lessons on the exact same spot Arya Stark outclassed her younger brother Bran with her bow.

There are also themed banquets around an open fire with 'authentic' recipes and utensils - even in Stark family costume if you prefer - and expertly guided mountain bike tours around the grounds to the dozen or so locations where key scenes have taken place.

And with the show set to long continue, more landmarks in the area are destined to be made famous - Dunlace Castle's moment can't be far off! - repeat visits will be a must for genuine fans.