By: Alex
A famous filming location from the hit TV series *Game of Thrones* may be lost. According to BBC News, last Saturday, powerful winds reaching speeds of up to 96 km/h struck Northern Ireland, causing large trees at the show’s iconic filming site, The Dark Hedges, to be uprooted. Coupled with damage from Storm Hector in June last year, this popular tourist attraction may gradually lose its charm.
▲ One of Northern Ireland’s most famous tourist attractions, The Dark Hedges, saw a large tree uprooted by strong winds last Saturday.
In reality, The Dark Hedges is also known as The King's Road. It is located along the northern section of Bregagh Road, west of the small town of Armoy in Northern Ireland, spanning approximately 4 kilometers. Historical records indicate that the beech trees here were originally planted by the Stuart family in 1775 to line the entrance to their Gracehill House estate. Over the centuries, the branches have spread outward and intertwined, eventually covering the road and creating a tunnel-like landscape.
▲ The beech trees lining the road are now 240 years old, reaching what could be considered their “retirement age.”
It is reported that there were initially around 150 trees, but due to aging and weather conditions, only about 90 remain. Beech trees typically live for around 250 years, and these are now 240 years old—nearing the end of their natural lifespan. While it is sad to see them fall one by one, this is ultimately the law of nature.
Source: BBC News