An avenue which looks eerily haunting also has its own ghostly goings-on according to visitors – thousands of whom have been flocking there to photograph it after it appeared in Game of Thrones
This image of a tangled avenue of trees deep in the countryside is drawing thousands of visitors every year and some people are saying it’s not just for the views.
Known as The Dark Hedges, this creepy pathway in County Antrim, Northern Ireland might be one of the UK’s most photographed roads, yet it also holds the title as possibly the spookiest. The twisted beech trees lining Bregagh Road were planted more than 200 years ago by the Stuart family to impress guests approaching their grand estate, Gracehill House. Today, the walkway is an international tourist hotspot, helped in part by its appearance as the “Kingsroad” in Game of Thrones.
Travel experts at City Tours Belfast say the number of visitors to The Dark Hedges continues to climb each year, particularly those travelling from England and Scotland in search of the perfect picture.
But while it looks like something from a storybook during the day, The Dark Hedges takes on a completely different feel after sunset.
As the light disappears and shadows stretch across the twisted trunks, the mood quickly turns from magical to unsettling.
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The hedges are haunted by the Grey Lady, a ghostly figure said to drift silently between the trees before vanishing into thin air, according to local legend.
Some believe she’s the spirit of a maid from the nearby mansion while others think she may be from an abandoned graveyard hidden nearby. Visitors have reported unexplained lights, strange sounds, and a strong feeling of being watched, even when no one else is around.
British tourist Hannah Wells said: “I came during the day for the photos, but we stayed until dusk. As we walked back to the car, I suddenly felt cold, even though it was summer. My friend swears she saw something move across the road, but there was nothing there.”
Despite its eerie reputation, The Dark Hedges has become a popular backdrop for Instagram and TikTok, with influencers and content creators flocking to capture moody, gothic-style shots under the crooked branches.
At sunrise and sunset, the trees cast long shadows that create a natural tunnel of light and dark, perfect for atmospheric photos.
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“People often think we edit our pictures,” said local tour guide Sean Donnelly. “But that’s just how the place looks when the fog rolls in. It’s beautiful and haunting at the same time.”
The Dark Hedges are located in County Antrim, near the village of Armoy, around 80km from Belfast.
They’re most easily reached by car, but visitors are warned: mobile signals can be weak in the area, and there are no major shops or cafés nearby.
Travel experts at City Tours Belfast recommend visiting early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid the tour bus crowds and to enjoy the best chance of seeing the twisting branches in low light.
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