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30 Places Every Harry Potter Fans Should Visit in London

If you’re a huge Harry Potter fan, then you need to visit London to see the best of everything this magical movie and book has to offer.

From studio tours to filming locations trips, there are loads of Harry Potter places to see in England’s capital.

And we’ve listed all of the best ones so that you can indulge in the world of wizardry and transport yourself into the magical world of Harry Potter.

1 – Platform 9 ¾

Located at King’s Cross station in central London, Platform 9 ¾ is where the Hogwarts Express departs. In the real-life station, you can find Platform 9 ¾ on the wall in the station concourse. Make sure you take a picture or two for Instagram.

• Compare Harry Potter filming locations tours

2 – The Cauldron Bar

Sticking with a Harry Potter-themed location, The Cauldron is a cocktail bar with drinks inspired by the movie. Learn to make a potion or two with a class and sip back on cocktails and enjoy the night.

3 – Shaftesbury Avenue

You might remember a scene from the Deathly Hallows part 1, where Harry, Hermione and Ron are attacked by death eaters? Well, that scene happened in Shaftesbury Avenue, which is just a few steps from Piccadilly tube station.

• Check Harry Potter tours

4 – Harry Potter Escape Room

Take on the school of witchcraft and wizardry with this Harry Potter escape room from Enigma Quests . Games last 60 minutes, and anyone between two and five players can attempt to graduate from the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

5 – Reptile House, London Zoo

Visit the London Zoo and go to Reptile House to see where Dudley was stuck behind the glass while the snake slithered away. Then see the rest of the animals at London’s most iconic zoo.

Read here how to book cheap London Zoo tickets and save up to 30%.

• Compare London Zoo tickets

6 – Westminster tube station

Westminster tube station is the location when Harry Potter travels in the Chamber of the Phoenix. It was closed for the entire day during filming, which is some feat considering Westminster is one of London’s busiest areas, for both working professionals and tourists.

7 – Diagon Alley

Diagon Alley provides Harry Potter with his first look into the world of wizardry. And you can find its filming location at Leadenhall Market, which is just a few steps from Monument tube station.

8 – The Leaky Cauldron

Sticking with Leadenhall Market, here you’ll find the secret wizard’s pub, The Leaky Cauldron, which in real life is an optician. But you can still enjoy the Harry Potter magic by visiting Old Tom’s Bar , which is hidden underneath Leadenhall Market.

9 – Gringotts Bank

The only bank in the wizarding world, you can withdraw your fortune at the Australia House, which is just north of Temple tube station at the Victoria embankment. Marvel at the gargoyles and impressive stonework.

10 – Lambeth Bridge

Remember in the Prisoner of Azkaban when the Knight Bus and to squeeze past oncoming doubler deckers? That was at Lambeth Bridge, a bridge that connects Vauxhall and Westminster.

11 – Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio Tour

Perhaps the de facto Harry Potter tour, head to the studio in Watford and wander the 200-acre complex as you see magical sets from the movies. There are props and costumes to discover too.

Is it sold out? Read here how to book last-minute Harry Potter Studio tour tickets .

• Compare Harry Potter Studio tickets

12 – Harry Potter and The Cursed Child

Get yourself down to the West End and buy Harry Potter tickets for a showing of Harry Potter And The Cursed Child . This popular play takes place after Harry Potter’s children have grown up and gone off to Hogwarts. It usually plays at the Palace Theatre.

13 – 10 Downing Street

The first chapter of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince takes place in 10 Downing Street. In real life, it’s the location of the UK’s Prime Minister, and it serves the same purpose in the world of Harry Potter, though the PM can talk to the Minister for Magic occasionally.

14 – St Pancras International

Right next door to Platform 9 ¾ is where you’ll find St Pancras International with its neo-gothic facade. It’s also the location where the Weasley’s magical Ford Anglia takes off in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

15 – The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 ¾

Get all the Harry Potter memorabilia you need at The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 ¾ . From sweaters to stuffed owls and wands, the themed gift shop at King’s Cross station has you covered with a wealth of Harry Potter gifts.

16 – Millennium Bridge

The winding, twisting bridge featured in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince is the Millennium Bridge, and you can find it linking bankside and the city. Take a walk across and soak up the sights of London.

17 – The House of MinaLima

Located in Soho, The House of MinaLima is run by the graphic design team responsible for visual design in the world of wizarding. Visit this multiple-floor shop and get yourself Harry Potter posters, maps, and more.

18 – Charing Cross Road

Charing Cross Road is the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron in the Harry Potter novels, and it’s easy to see why J.K. Rowling drew inspiration from the area. There are loads of second-hand bookshops and antique stores to discover.

19 – Lincoln’s Inn Fields

Located near Sir John Soane’s Museum in Holborn is where you will find Lincoln’s Inn Fields, the place where 12 Grimmauld Place was filmed. In real life, however, it’s not quite as magical and mostly acts as an office for lawyers. Still, it’s certainly one to tick off the Harry Potter list.

20 – Borough Market

Famous for its mouthwatering foods in real life, Borough Market serves a different purpose in Harry Potter. In the Prisoner of Azkaban, it acts as the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron and is a popular spot on Harry Potter tours.

21 – Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square has its own place in Harry Potter folklore as the location for the final movie premiere. Actors Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, J. K. Rowling stood on stage and gave speeches to the thousands of fans that showed up to see the stars in real life.

22 – The Ministry of Magic

Whitehall and Old Scotland Yard were both used to represent the magical counterpart to muggle organizations and are the home to muggle politicians. Head to Old Scotland Yard to see where they filmed the Polyjuice potion scenes in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

23 – Georgian House Hotel

Make your Harry Potter experience and overnight one with a stay at the Georgian House Hotel. There’s a Harry Potter-themed room hiding behind a hidden door. Re-watch the movies and tuck into a special cooked breakfast with a broomstick & snitch.

• View prices & reviews

24 – No. 12 Grimmauld Place

In Islington, you will find No. 23–29 Claremont Square, otherwise known as No. 12 Grimmauld Place. It’s the location of Sirius Black’s familial residence in the Harry Potter movies and is located in one of London’s most popular areas.

25 – St. Paul’s

One of London’s most iconic landmarks, St. Paul’s Cathedral is used as the Geometrical Staircase seen in the Prisoner of Azkaban.

26 – Horse Guards Avenue

Where do the Ministry of Magic staff reside in Harry Potter? In real life, the Ministry of Magic entrance is located on Horse Guards Avenue, which is a road in the City of Westminster.

Harry Potter locations outside of London

There are many exciting Harry Potter locations in London, but there’s also a fair few scattered around the UK. If you’ve got the time, we recommend heading to these other great spots to discover more of the world of Harry Potter.

27 – Oxford

The prestigious university at Oxford was used for several filming scenes in the Harry Potter movies as it doubled up as Hogwarts, including the Dumfries Library, Christ Church Dining Hall, and New College Courtyard.

• Check Oxford tours from London

28 – Lavenham

A small village in Surrey is the location of Godric’s Hollow, and it was used for all the Godric’s Hollow scenes from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I. The fictional village is actually located in Lavenham, which dates back to the 11th century and is around 75 miles from London.

29 – Lacock

The village of Lacock is located just over 90 miles from London. Various places in Lacock were used in Harry Potter such as the Potter’s house in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and the Lacock Abbey which served as the interior for the Hogwarts School.

30 – Alnwick Castle

Madam Hooch’s broomstick flying lesson, seen in the first film, takes place in the Outer Bailey of medieval Alnwick Castle. The castle is a sight to behold and is located some 320 miles from London. An overnight stay is recommended .

We hope you enjoyed our list of the best Harry Potter places to visit in London. If you wish to book a Harry Potter tour, don’t miss our article about the best Harry Potter tours in London so you can pick the one that fits your needs, itinerary and budget.

We wish you a magic stay in England’s capital. Have fun 🙂

18 Harry Potter Filming Locations in the UK: The Ultimate Guide to England, Scotland and Wales

No Potterhead can surely come to the UK without notching up a few Harry Potter filming locations in the UK en route. Places all over London, Scotland, England and Wales either featured on the silver screen or provided inspiration for J K Rowling when she created the characters and wrote the stories.

From where to find the Harry Potter shop in London to a range of Harry Potter locations in Scotland, Wales and the rest of England, this guide will point you in the direction of all the key Harry Potter places to visit in the UK.

If you can’t put a good Harry Potter book down or stop watching the movies, don’t plan your UK itinerary before reading this guide to Harry Potter sites in London and places where Harry Potter was filmed in Scotland and elsewhere.

Head north to beautiful, beachside Northumberland to see one location that served as the real Hogwarts Castle in England, or take a trip to the Harry Potter shop in London Kings Cross to stock up on an exclusive range of official memorabilia. 

Other Harry Potter sites in England can be found in York , Wiltshire and Oxford , while in Wales a certain Pembrokeshire beach has become a Mecca for fans of Harry’s favourite elfin pal. 

As for Scotland, it’s long been associated with the boy wizard and his school chums, as author J. K. Rowling was residing in the city when she penned the series of novels. 

Continue reading so you can plan your perfect Potter-y UK itinerary! The following list includes 18 of the finest Harry Potter places in England, Scotland and Wales. Beginning just as the boy himself did, with the Harry Potter train station in London. 

King’s Cross station 

The wizarding world of harry potter, trafalgar square , piccadilly circus, the millenium bridge, borough market,  st paul’s cathedral , london zoo , claremont square, lacock abbey, alnwick , the jacobite, pembrokeshire, which harry potter locations in the uk will you visit, london travel guide & itinerary planner (+ 4 bonus ebooks).

18 of the Best Harry Potter Filming Locations in the UK

10 harry potter film locations in london.

London King’s Cross is number one among Harry Potter London locations. Here you can snap a selfie at the ‘Platform 9 & ¾’ sign and browse the wares sold at the Harry Potter shop. This Harry Potter station in London is easy to get to from all over the city by Underground. It’s also featured on many London walking tours, like this recommended one . 

Located outside the city, the Harry Potter theme park near London is a must for any serious Potter fan. It takes under an hour to get there and you can find out how in this post .

Or to do things the easy way, simply book this tour !

Trafalgar Square is one of the key Harry Potter places in London for two reasons.  J. K. Rowling, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson stood on stage here before the final film premiere. 

Trafalgar Square is also one of the main Harry Potter filming locations in London as it was shown as the Death Eaters flew overhead during the the Half-Blood Prince movie. 

This is one of those Harry Potter places to visit in London that you’re bound to see anyway. It’s featured in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, when Harry, Ron and Hermione apparate close by. 

The Millenium Bridge starred in the later movies when the Death Eaters ran riot across the London skies. It doubled up as the Harry Potter bridge in London from the Half-Blood Prince film, and was destroyed by Voldemort’s followers. 

Borough Market is one of London’s top markets and a favourite foodie destination. The market and Stoney Street also served as Diagon Alley and the Leaky Cauldron in the movies. Another Harry Potter market in London is Leadenhall Market, which was also used for some scenes.

While you’re in the vicinity of the Thames, look out for another of the Harry Potter locations in the UK – the BT Tower. It was seen when Harry and Ron flew over it in a Ford Anglia during Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets . 

London’s mighty cathedral belongs on most London itineraries anyway. While you’re there, don’t miss the staircase within one of the front towers that was used as the route to Harry’s Divination classroom. It’s one of those Harry Potter spots in London that you can easily glimpse while exploring the city. 

A commemorative plaque marks the spot here as one of many Harry Potter attractions in London. It’s in the Reptile House, where the zoo scenes with Harry and Dudley were filmed during the making of the first movie. 

Located in Islington in north London, Claremont Square doubled up as Grimmauld Place for the films featuring The Order of the Phoenix headquarters.

The square was used during filming to represent Sirius Black’s former home, and as such is one of the main Harry Potter sites in the UK.

You can visit it on this bus tour of the key locations. 

Read more – Complete Guide to Harry Potter film locations in London | Best Harry Potter themed bus & walking tours of London

4 Harry Potter film locations in England

Historic Oxford is home to several Harry Potter places in the UK. The Bodleian Libraries were used as the Divinity classroom and Hogwarts library, while Draco Malfoy was transformed into a ferret by an oak tree in the New College Cloisters. 

The halls and staircases of Christ Church College were also used for several scenes at Hogwarts. If you’re looking for a tour, try this walking one that includes Christ Church College or this combined studios and Oxford day trip.  

Lacock Abbey was used in The Philosopher’s Stone and Chamber of Secrets films. Located in Wiltshire in the Cotswolds , the interiors stood in for various parts of Hogwarts.

You can visit Lacock as part of various tours, including this one to Stonehenge and Bath .   

The Shambles in the small, historic northern city of York are linked to the Harry Potter films, and you only need to wander down the street to see why.

The ancient buildings and cobblestones make you feel like you’re in another, more magical world. Explore the city by taking this Potter-themed tour . 

Harry Potter fans travelling to Scotland won’t want to miss Alnwick as they pass by. This charming Northumbrian town is home to Alnwick Castle – plus a few cobbled streets of its own. Exterior scenes were shot at the castle when the Hogwarts students learn to fly.

A tour from Edinburgh like this one is another way to see Alnwick. 

3 Harry Potter film locations in Scotland

Edinburgh is synonymous with the boy wizard, and The Elephant House cafe is famously where J. K. Rowling wrote some of the series. A fire on the historic George IV Bridge has meant it’s closed for now, however. 

Other Harry Potter filming locations in Scotland to be found in the capital include Greyfriars Kirkyard, where a real-life Thomas Riddle lies. Like York’s Shambles, the Grassmarket in Edinburgh is also said to have inspired Diagon Alley. 

You can also see J. K. Rowling’s golden handprints at the Edinburgh City Chambers, or discover why Heriot’s School might have also provided inspiration. Why not take a walking tour if you want to explore Harry Potter sites in Edinburgh? 

The London train station in Harry Potter might be where the Hogwarts Express departs from, but if you want to ride the steam locomotive then you’ll need to book a seat on The Jacobite.

Find out all about it in this post – or take an all-inclusive day trip from Edinburgh , including the Scottish Highlands. 

Breathtaking Glen Coe is one to add to your list of Harry Potter destinations in the UK. The Highland town was used when filming outside during the making of The Order of the Phoenix,  The Goblet of Fire and The Half-Blood Prince. 

A spot just above the Clachaig Inn, meanwhile,  is where Hagrid’s Hut was positioned for The Prisoner of Azkaban . You can see Glen Coe and ride The Jacobite on this Scotland tour . 

1 Harry Potter film location in Wales

Freshwater West in the coastal Welsh country of Pembrokeshire has attracted many Potter fans since The Deathly Hallows films were released. Shell Cottage was also at the site, but alas Bill and Fleur’s home is now long gone. 

Where Dobby was buried on the beach is now a place to find memorials left behind by keen fans. Typical items include painted pebbles, flowers, socks, gnomes and messages.

There are plenty of Harry Potter filming locations in England, Wales and Scotland to see – and there are also lots to discover in London itself. Including, of course, the Wizarding World to the north of the city. 

From the exterior Alnwick Castle filming locations for Harry Potter and his pals learning to ride a broomstick or the Hogwarts Express to ‘Dobby’s beach’ or the dreaming spires of Oxford, finding your own Harry Potter alley in London or another historic city can be a real highlight of your trip to the UK.

And what better excuse to watch the movies once more – or re-read the books – before you set foot on British soil?

For more inspiration, don’t miss our posts on Harry Potter London locations , the best bus and walking tours of the capital and how to get to the Warner Bros. Studios . As well as where to board the real-life Hogwarts Express !

Harry Potter Locations to Visit in England and Scotland

Visit Harry Potter's Special Places All over Britain

Even though the last of the Harry Potter films has long been out of theaters, there are still plenty of fans - both kids and adults - who just can't say goodbye to the young wizard and his friends. If you're still looking for the Harry Potter "castle" (aka Hogwarts), you'll have to travel a bit. It's made up of bits and pieces of castles, cathedrals and university dining halls all over Britain. Why not plan an itinerary around the Harry Potter film locations in England and Scotland to re-immerse yourselves in Harry's magical world.

Travel to Hogwarts over the Glenfinnan Viaduct on the West Highlands Railway

TripSavvy / Jess Macdonald

Harry Potter regularly traveled across the dark forboding hills of the Western Highlands of Scotland on the way to Hogwards. The 42 mile stretch of rail, between Fort William and Mallaig , passes through much of the scenery seen in the films, including Ben Nevis-the highest mountain in Britain, Loch Shieland Glen Nevis - backdrop for the Quidditch scenes. The journey takes about an hour and twenty minutes and costs (in 2017 prices - if booked well in advance) £7 each way.

Of course, without special film effects, it's a lot less menacing but the area has its own dark history. It was from Glenfinnan, about midway on the journey, that Bonnie Prince Charlie launched the ill-fated Jacobite Revolt in an attempt to put his father on the throne as James III. Few of the men who marched on London from here ever returned.

The impressive Glenfinnan viaduct that you travel over on this journey, crossing about 1,000 feet of the valley on 21 arches, reaching a height of about 100 feet, was the backdrop for the flying car sequence in "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets."

Read more about Glenfinnan

Getting there: If you travel by train from Glasgow Queen Street to Mallaig, an advanced ticket costs about £15.50 each way and the trip takes about five hours and twenty mintues. At the end of it, you won't find Hogwarts though. Mallaig is a busy fishing and ferry port, the gateway to Skye and the Smaller Isles. A better option is to travel first to Fort William, at the base of Ben Nevis, stay over and then get a fresh start to enjoy the "Harry Potter" stretch of the journey.

• Plan your journey with National Rail Enquiries

Walk the Corridors of Hogwarts at Gloucester Cathedral

Gloucester Cathedral has some of the finest cloisters in England with fan vaulting that rivals the naves of many other churches. They stood in for the corridors and other settings in "Harry Potter & The Philosopher’s Stone", "Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets", and Harry Potter & The Half Blood Prince".

If you plan to join the Harry Potter fans from all over the world who have visited here, spend some time exploring this magnificent cathedral. Parts of it have been a place of worship for 1,300 years, since being founded as an Anglo Saxon religious community in the 7th century. There's a whispering gallery that the children will love and Cathedral guides (available Mon-Sat 10:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. and Sun noon to 2:30 p.m.) can show you where different scenes were filmed.

Getting there: Great Western Trains from London Paddington leave regularly. The journey takes between two and two and a half hours and costs about £36 (in 2017) when booked well in advance as two one-way tickets. Most journeys involve changing trains at Swindon Station.

Harry Potter at Oxford

TripSavvy / Christopher Larson

Oxford, the oldest university in the English speaking world and the second oldest surviving university in the world, has the looks that make it a natural backdrop for Harry Potter and friends. And, in fact, many Oxford locations were used in the film. Duke Humphrey's Library in the Radcliffe Camera of the Bodleian Library was the Library at Hogwarts and the English Gothic Room of the Divinity School - built in 1488 and the oldest teaching room at the University - stood in for Hogwarts' sanatarium.

But the most famous setting of all, the Great Dining Hall of Christ Church College, was not actually used as a set, but was copied, pretty much line for line, in one of the films most impressive sets.

You can visit the actual Great Hall set during the WB Studio Tour, The Making of Harry Potter (see item 5). But, you can visit the fabulous hall that inspired it and wander around the grounds of the college looking for more Harry Potter locales. One that you won't want to miss, is the impressive 16th century staircase leading into the Great Hall. It's where Professor McGonagall greeted Harry and the other first-year students as they arrived at Hogwarts. And the staircase was actually filmed for that scene.

Christ Church College is open to the public, though as a working academic institution and Cathedral the hours are limited and some areas may be closed from time to time. The Great Hall itself is usually closed from noon to 2:30 p.m. Expect to pay an admission charge of about £7 and to stand in a long queue.

• Find out more about visiting Oxford
• How to get to Oxford from London

Learn to Fly from Harry's Professors at Alnwick Castle

The second largest inhabited castle in England (pronouned An-nick, by the way), stood in for so many scenes from the Potter films that you might as well call it Hogwarts. Home of the Percy family, the Dukes of Northumberland, for more than 700 years, the castle is open to the public between April and October. Look around for scenes from "Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets" and "Harry Potter & The Philosopher Stone", both filmed here.

By the way, the special effects team went to town on this place, so you may have to stretch your imagination a bit to see the "real" castle through your Muggles eyes.

Getting There: Almouth railway station is 15 minutes away and served by an hourly bus service. Taxi's are also available at the railway station.

Stalk a Villain at Hardwick Hall

The much-married Bess of Hardwick who, after Queen Elizabeth I, was the biggest celebrity of the Elizabethan Age, built herself a remarkable house in the Peak District. It has so many windows and so much extraordinary glass that, that soon after it was built the rhyme, "Hardwick Hall, more glass than wall," was often said. At night, with all its rooms blazing with candles, it was said to look like a magic lantern on a hill.

But on wintry mornings, surrounded by mist, the house takes on a decidedly more mysterious look; which is probably why it was chosen as the scene of considerably darker doings for "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. In the film, Hardwick Hall's exteriors were the sinister stand-ins for grim Malfoy Manor.

Owned by the National Trust, Hardwick Hall is considered the most complete Elizabethan house in Britain. It's open to the public and hosts a raft of family oriented events in the holiday and school vacation seasons. While you're there, visit the Chamber of Magic and become Harry Potter or Hermione  with the hall's own  wizard wands and capes.

Go Behind the Scenes with the Harry Potter WB Studio Tour London

Ferne Arfin

WB Studios Leavesden, about 20 miles northwest of London, is where much of the films and most of the special effects were created. Since 2012, visitors have been able to explore the real sets. 

A special attraction is the giant model of Hogwarts - the Harry Potter castle - actually used in the film. It's a model - so you can't stroll through it of course, but you can wander around these extraordinary sets:

• The Great Hall
• Dumbledore's Office
• The cobbles of Diagon Alley with the shop fronts of Ollivanders wand shop, Flourish and Blotts, the Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, Gringotts Wizarding Bank and Eeylops Owl Emporium.
• The Gryffindor common room
• The boys’ dormitory
• Hagrid’s hut
• Potion’s classroom
• Professor Umbridge’s office at the Ministry of Magic.

The tour reveals all sorts of behind the scenes filmakers' secrets about special effects prop making and more. And unlike Harry Potter theme park attractions being created elsewhere, this is the real McCoy - the actual film sets, assembled in the actual studios where the films were made.

Family tickets £126 (in 2017) for four people (two adults and two children or one adult and three children). Individual and group tickets are also available. To book tickets and find out more, visit their website .

Getting there: The nearest station is Watford Junction (20 minutes from London Euston or an hour from Birmingham New Street). A shuttle bus for ticket holders operate between the station and the studio. Visit National Rail Enquiries to plan your journey and buy rail tickets.

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12 iconic Harry Potter filming locations and experiences in London

“After all this time?” “Always.”

20 years on, the magic of the wizarding world of Harry Potter still lives on. Whether you ravaged the books or binge-watched the films—or both, it’s the only right way to do it—every Harry Potter fan needs to make a pilgrimage to London, where you can visit the filming locations, inspirations and attractions that will keep this everlasting fire from going out.

So read on muggles. Here are the top Harry Potter spots and attractions that you need to visit in London, along with the best tours to experience them all.

Harry Potter filming locations in London

1. platform 9 3/4 at king’s cross station.

When it comes to memorable Harry Potter locations and scenes, none are more instantly recognizable than Platform 9 3/4 , where Harry first fumbles his way into the wizarding world from King’s Cross Station .

Look for the luggage trolley embedded into the wall of the station concourse—next to The Harry Potter Shop , it’s not actually between Platforms 9 and 10—and stand in line to recreate this iconic scene. The trolley is accessible during the King’s Cross Station’s operating hours (from 5:00 a.m. to about 1:00 a.m.), so go early to beat the crowds.

2. St. Pancras International Station

While the scenes featuring Platform 9 3/4 were filmed inside Kings Cross Station, the exterior shots instead featured St. Pancras International Station , located just across from the main entrance of Kings Cross.

The majestic Gothic exterior of St. Pancras International Station and the adjoining St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel can be spotted in the "Chamber of Secrets", where the Weasleys parked their flying car that Harry and Ron later take off in for their misadventures.

You can visit St. Pancras International Station, Platform 9 3/4 and several other filming locations as part of this Harry Potter bus tour of London while being ferried in style on a luxury coach.

3. Leadenhall Market

Leadenhall Market , with its elegant Victorian architecture, is where the exterior shots of Diagon Alley and all of its colorful shops and emporiums were filmed. While you won’t find Ollivander's Wand Shop, you will be able to visit some unique shops, restaurants, and bars here.

Try to find an optician’s shop at Leadenhall Market called The Glass House, which was first used as the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron in "The Philosopher’s Stone".

4. Borough Market

As themes took a darker turn in the third Harry Potter installment, so did the filming locations. Gone were the bright streets of Leadenhall Market, replaced instead by the rustic railway arches of Borough Market , London’s oldest and most famous food market.

A flower shop, Chez Michele, was chosen as the new entrance to the Leaky Cauldron, first seen in "Prisoner of Azkaban" after Harry alights from a bumpy ride on The Knight Bus.

5. Great Scotland Yard

While our muggle universe doesn’t have polyjuice potions for you to pull off an elaborate infiltration mission, you still can rock up to the Ministry of Magic in real life, or its filming location that is. Just off Trafalgar Square, you will find Great Scotland Yard where the external shots of the Ministry of Magic were filmed.

Over a two-hour guided Tour for Muggles , you’ll stop by the Great Scotland Yard, Leadenhall Market and Borough Market and many other iconic filming locations.

6. Australia House

The glitzy interiors of Gringotts Wizarding Bank were filmed in Australia House on the Strand, the High Commission of Australia in London. As you might expect, you can’t simply waltz into the building without an appointment, muggle, wizard or otherwise.

However, you still can have a peek through the glass door to admire the marbled floors and crystal chandeliers that adorn the goblin bank in the movies.

7. Millennium Bridge and St. Paul’s Cathedral

London has many postcard-worthy bridges, a lot of which—like the Tower Bridge and Lambeth Bridge —made brief appearances in the Harry Potter films. The Millennium Bridge , in particular, was featured in the dramatic opening of the "Half-Blood Prince", where it was unceremoniously destroyed by Death Eaters.

The Millenium Bridge also connects you to another filming location: St. Paul’s Cathedral . The mesmerizing spiral staircase of this 17th-century Anglican cathedral was featured in the "Prisoner of Azkaban", the “Divination Staircase” where Harry and Ron can be seen leaving Professor Trelawney's classroom.

Visit both of these spots on this Harry Potter walking tour of London where your guide will share some little-known Harry Potter trivia during the two-hour tour.

For the die-hard Harry Potter fans, you might also want to add these spots to your London itinerary: Lincoln’s Inn Fields , the filming location of Grimmauld Place; Piccadilly Circus , where Harry, Ron, and Hermione apparated to in "Half-Blood Prince: Part 1" after fleeing from Death Eaters; and the London Zoo where “The Boy Who Lived” first discovers his parseltongue “curse”.

Harry Potter attractions in London

8. warner bros. studio tour london - the making of harry potter.

Located at the Studios where all the Harry Potter films were produced, The Making of Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour is a must-visit for any Harry Potter fan. Relive the films through the props, costumes and iconic sets on display at this 200-acre complex and have a sneak peek into the special effects that brought magical locations like the Great Hall from paper to screen.

Before you leave, don’t forget to stop by the studio store to pick up your very own wand and other Harry Potter memorabilia to remember your visit. Get your admission tickets early with this Warner Bros. Studio Harry Potter Tour package , which also includes transportation to and from central London.

9. House of MinaLima

At the House of MinaLima in Soho, you can admire the graphic artwork that was produced by the studio for the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beast films. You can even pick up some souvenirs and limited edition prints at the gallery shop to add to your Harry Potter memorabilia collection.

10. Harry Potter & The Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre

Harry Potter & The Cursed Child is a two-part play that is set 19 years after the events of The Deathly Hallows. It continues the story of Harry Potter and introduces Potterheads to his youngest son, Albus Potter. Dive right back into the world of Harry Potter at the Palace Theatre in London with this award-winning stage production that promises magical on-stage illusions and world-class performances.

11. The Cauldron Bar

Potterheads in London who want a drink should add The Cauldron Bar to their itinerary. This Harry Potter-themed cocktail bar serves up amazing drinks inspired by the movies. You can even come dressed in your House robes and concoct your own cocktails at the bar’s immersive “Potion Making” class.

12. Georgian House Hotel

Finally, to wrap up the ultimate Harry Potter experience in London, book a night at a Harry Potter-themed room at the Georgian House Hotel . The Wizard Chambers and Enchanted Chambers are adorned with gothic interiors, insignias and tapestries from your favorite Hogwarts houses that transport you to the wizarding world. They also serve a magical breakfast and afternoon tea, complete with enchanted cocktails and cursed desserts of the day.

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Visit Harry Potter filming locations

Britain is bursting with spell-binding spots from Harry Potter films that makes it magical for Potterheads everywhere. From King’s Cross station’s Platform 9¾ with its disappearing luggage, to York’s own wonky timber-framed version of Diagon Alley, and the giant cauldron located in a Wiltshire abbey. Creep around the cloisters of Gloustershire Cathedral, or check out Oxford, the city of spires, with the famous Bodleian Library doubling up as Hogwart’s library, and the vaulted Divinity School next door which became Hogwart’s Hospital admitting students with broomstick injuries and back-firing spells. Immerse yourself into a film set tour and check out original sets, animatronic creatures and impressive special effects.

Top Five Harry Potter locations in London

King’s Cross Station

The Hogwarts Express departs from Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross station. On the western concourse, you’ll find a baggage trolley disappearing into the magical realm through a wall.

Reptile House, London Zoo

The Reptile House at ZSL London Zoo is where Harry first discovers his gift for talking with snakes in Harry Potter and the Philosopher ’ s Stone. Chat to snakes, lizards, frogs and crocodiles.

Leadenhall Market

Leadenhall Market in the City district was used as Diagon Alley. The entrance to wizard’s pub, the Leaky Cauldron, is an optician in Bull’s Head Passage.

Lambeth Bridge

It’s on Lambeth Bridge that the Knight Bus has to squeeze between two oncoming double-decker buses in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban .

Millennium Bridge

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince opens with a dramatic sequence of the Millennium footbridge collapsing. The bridge links Bankside with the City and St Paul’s Cathedral.

Everything you need to know before visiting Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter

What is it?

Next-door to the working film studios where all eight Harry Potter films were made, the Studio Tour offers visitors the unique opportunity to explore two sound-stages and a backlot filled with original sets, animatronic creatures and breathtaking special effects.

Where is it?

The Studio Tour is located 20 miles north-west of London and less than three miles from the M1 and M25 motorways. Post-code for sat-nav is WD257LR.

What sets can I explore?

Step onto iconic sets including the Great Hall, the Forbidden Forest, Platform 9¾ and Diagon Alley.

What props will I see?

In Professor Dumbledore’s office, you’ll find 900 memory vials. There’s over 950 filled potion jars lining the walls of the Potions Classroom. In Professor Dolores Umbridge’s pink office, you’ll find her collection of plates featuring various moving kittens.

What about the costumes?

Everything from Quidditch uniforms to a more formal style of wizard wear - created for the Yule Ball, held to celebrate Christmas and the Triwizard Tournament, are on display.

Treat yourself to a tankard of Butterbeer – this delicious non-alcoholic drink tastes of shortbread and butterscotch. And marvel at a model version of the whole of Hogwarts. The 1:24 scale construction was used for filming the exterior and aerial shots of the school.

How much are tickets?

Studio Tour tickets start from £49.95 and can be purchased from the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter website .

Harry Potter film locations around Britain

Freshwater West, Pembrokeshire, Wales 

This stretch of golden sand was the location for Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour‘s Shell Cottage in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows . When Harry found himself inside the whimsical cottage he could hear nothing but the ebb and flow of the sea. Although the cottage was taken down after filming, you can still visit the beach and watch surfers riding some of Wales’ best waves.

Glenfinnan Viaduct, Lochaber, Scotland

Located on the West Highland line between Fort William and Mallaig, the Glenfinnan Viaduct is a familiar sight for wizards travelling on the Hogwarts Express. Ron’s flying Ford Anglia even lands on it during Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. To cross the viaduct in a Hogwarts-style steam locomotive, West Coast Railways runs the Jacobite Steam Train twice a day.

Alnwick Castle, Northumberland, England

Madame Hooch’s broomstick flying lesson, from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, takes place in the Outer Bailey of medieval Alnwick Castle in Northumberland.

Harry also learns the rules of Quidditch here, while the inner courtyards and baileys were used to film Hogwarts students and staff going about their daily activities. Broomstick training for visitors still occurs at Alnwick Castle, along with wizardry magic shows and costumed tours.

Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucestershire, England

Watch out for Nearly Headless Nick or Moaning Myrtle and see where Harry and Ron hid from the giant troll in the spooky cloisters, under the fan vaulted roof of the 1,300-year-old Gloucester Cathedral . The cathedral was transformed into the corridors of Hogwarts for the first, second and sixth Harry Potter films.

Bodleian Library, Oxford, England

The oldest reading room in Oxford University’s magnificent Bodleian Library doubled as the Hogwarts library in three Harry Potter films. The next-door vaulted Divinity School became Hogwarts hospital, admitting students for broomstick injuries, curses and back-firing spells.

Nearby Christ Church College is where we were first introduced to Hogwarts, with Harry and the other first-year wizards ascending the 16th-century stone staircase to the Great Hall. 

Durham Cathedral, Durham, England 

Durham Cathedral’s Chapter House was where Professor McGonagall taught the young wizards to turn animals into water goblets. The cathedral’s elegant cloisters saw Ron Weasley fall victim to his own slug-vomiting curse, in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. They were also the setting for the snow-covered quadrangle where Harry first set Hedwig flying in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. 

Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire, England 

Lacock Abbey’s Warming Room – which contains a giant cauldron – was Professor Quirrell’s Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, while Professor Snape’s Potions Class was held in the Sacristy. It was in the abbey’s Chapter House that Harry stumbled upon the Mirror of Erised, which shows the heart’s deepest desire.

Mischief managed: 14 'Harry Potter' filming locations you can visit in the UK

Like many longtime fans of the "Harry Potter" books and films, I rewatched the movies after seeing the recent "Return to Hogwarts" reunion special on HBO Max. It got me thinking: How many of these scenes were filmed on location, and could I see them all in one trip?

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I've been to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Orlando , explored the flagship store in New York City and even planned a cross-country road trip during college to experience a "Harry Potter"-themed fall festival outside of Philadelphia . But despite all of these fun "Harry Potter" moments, I've never actually seen any of the filming locations in person. Lucky for me (and any other "Harry Potter" fan), there are numerous filming locations you can visit throughout the United Kingdom.

See which spots you'll want to prioritize by reading this roundup of the major "Harry Potter" locations in the U.K. While not an exhaustive list, it features all of the primary spots used during filming, so you're bound to feel like a wizard — even without an acceptance letter from Hogwarts.

There are quite a few spots in London that you'll recognize from the "Harry Potter" films, plus it's only a short trip from the city to the studio that houses many of the movie sets. You can book a number of "Harry Potter" tours — including a studio option that provides an up-close look at props, costumes and more — that will take you to most of London's filming locations, but you can also visit the various spots on your own.

Kings Cross Station

Kings Cross station acts as one of the doorways between London's Muggle and wizarding communities. It's where students board the Hogwarts Express on their way to the wizarding boarding school featured throughout the "Harry Potter" stories.

While there is no magical portal to Platform 9 ¾ that you can run through, you can visit two spots at Kings Cross Station that are special to the films. At the entrance to platforms 9, 10 and 11, you'll find a trolley "disappearing" into what would be Platform 9 ¾. It's a great place to grab a photo reenacting the moment when Harry runs through the wall the first time, though we don't recommend actually trying to run through the wall. If you want to see the actual location used in the movies, head over to platforms 4 and 5.

Fans of the car scene at the beginning of "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" can also check out the exterior of St. Pancras Church, which sits just outside the station. It's where Ron and Harry commandeer the Weasley's magical Ford Anglia for their trip to Hogwarts.

Leadenhall Market

Shots of Leadenhall Market — specifically an optometrist's office in Bull's Head Passage — were used as The Leaky Cauldron. However, this isn't the venue's only connection to "Harry Potter." The market itself served as inspiration for Diagon Alley, the iconic shopping and dining thoroughfare from the films.

Unfortunately, you can't find your wand at Ollivanders, bring home a pet from the Magical Menagerie or plan any magical pranks at Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, but you can still explore the market to get a sense of the energy mimicked in the magical version of this location. And you can shop for a Barbour waxed jacket to match Ron's attire in the first film.

Australia House

Australia House is home to London's Australian High Commission, but the building's magnificent interiors were also used as the setting for the entrance to Gringotts Wizarding Bank. Gringotts is featured throughout the films as the main banking institution for wizards and witches in London, including in one of my favorite scenes, where Helena Bonham Carter pretends to be Emma Watson's Hermione Granger pretending to be Bellatrix Lestrange in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2."

While the building doesn't permit visitors, if you arrive during a weekday you can take a peek through the open doors to see the chandeliers, arched ceilings and gorgeous marble floors that acted as the iconic entrance to Gringotts.

Millennium Bridge

In the books, the Brockdale Bridge acts as the pedestrian footbridge that the Death Eaters destroy during "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince." However, the movie used the real-life Millennium Bridge as the filming location for the scene. The bridge also makes an appearance in "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" when Harry flies over London with other members of the Order.

Thankfully, you can visit the bridge and walk across the River Thames without worrying about Death Eaters apparating in and ruining your day. The walkway is part of "The Queen's Walk," though you don't have to do the entire walk to experience the bridge. Head toward the river from St. Paul's Cathedral or walk to the river side of the modern and contemporary art-focused Tate Modern museum to find the entrances to the span.

Claremont Square

Tucked within a local square in Islington section of the city is the exterior filming location of Number 12 Grimmauld Place. Featured in two of the "Harry Potter" films, this mythical spot is the ancestral home of the Black family, as well as the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix.

Claremont Square is mostly residential, making it an ideal area for a quiet afternoon walk. If you want to see the inspiration for the location, combine your visit with a stop at Lincoln's Inn Fields, which sits about a mile southwest in Holborn, London's historic law district.

Related: An expert's guide to London neighborhoods

Oxford University and the surrounding area are home to many "Harry Potter" filming locations. The city is a quick trip from London — around an hour by train or an hour and a half by car.

At the university's Divinity School, you can check out the space used as the Hogwarts Infirmary in "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone." This part of Oxford University is also where Professor McGonagall teaches Ron and other students how to dance in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," easily one of my favorite scenes from the movie. (Say "babbling, bumbling band of baboons" five times fast.)

Duke Humfrey's Library, part of the Bodleian Library at Oxford, is another spot used throughout the movies. To see the mythical Hogwarts Library, you'll have to book a private tour, though Hermione would likely tell you it's worth the extra planning.

After you finish checking out the Bodleian Library, walk up to Holywell Street and turn right to get to New College. Here, you'll discover the courtyard and giant oak tree where Mad-Eye Moody turned Malfoy into a ferret.

Once you finish exploring this part of campus, walk about 15 minutes southwest to Christ Church, where you can pretend you're a first-year wizard climbing the staircase to the Great Hall like Harry, Ron and Hermione did in "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone." Also save time for visiting the Christ Church dining hall, which was supposedly the inspiration for the Great Hall set in the movies.

Of course, there are plenty of similarities between other Oxford and Hogwarts spots, too. Assorted hallways and cloisters were used throughout the films, and you'll even notice that the statues alongside the college buildings bear a resemblance to the ones Professor McGonagall awakens in the final movie. Bring your wand and recite the iconic lines McGonagall says after casting the "piertotum locomotor" incantation (though unfortunately, the statues likely won't jump down and march out the gates at your command).

Lacock Abbey

A little more than an hour southwest of Oxford sits Lacock Abbey. It's a common filming location for period films and TV series, including "Downton Abbey" and "Pride & Prejudice," though you'll want to visit to see Hogwarts' classrooms.

Head to the Sacristy room to see Professor Snape's potions classroom in "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," then check out the Warming Room, the setting for Professor Quirrell's defense against the dark arts classroom. The latter features a special surprise: a giant 16th-century cooking cauldron that belongs to Lacock Abbey.

Before leaving, visit the nearby village of Lacock, which was used for two important filming locations: Lily and James Potter's house in Godric's Hollow and Professor Slughorn's house.

Gloucester Cathedral

Venture an hour north of Lacock Abbey to explore Gloucester Cathedral, where scenes for three "Harry Potter" movies were filmed.

Make your way to the north side of the Gloucester Cathedral cloisters to see one of the places where the troll rampages in the first film. After, visit the south side of the cathedral to check out the Gryffindor corridor and the entrance to the Gryffindor common room (sans the singing portrait of The Fat Lady who guarded Gryffindor Tower). You'll also find the hallway where the bloody writing declaring the chamber of secrets had been opened was discovered in "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets."

Don't be surprised if other parts of the cathedral look familiar. The property also makes an appearance as various hallways in Hogwarts throughout the films.

Freshwater West

A few hours west of Gloucester Cathedral along the Pembrokeshire Coast of Wales lies Freshwater West beach, the serene setting for one of the "Harry Potter" series' most heartbreaking moments: the death of Dobby.

Here you'll see where the loyal house elf died in Harry's arms at the end of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1." The beach also serves as the opening setting for the final "Harry Potter" film.

While the Shell Cottage, where Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour lived, was built on location at Freshwater West, it was demolished after filming. Dobby's gravesite is also no longer marked. However, this stunning spot is worth the detour, even without those recognizable film features.

Malham Cove

Once you've gotten your fill of the sun, sand and sea, continue several hours northeast to Malham Cove in Yorkshire Dales National Park. You'll recognize this large, curved limestone formation from "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1." Specifically, the top of this impressive natural wonder is where Harry and Hermione camp while on the run from Voldemort as they hunt Horcruxes.

During your visit, trek the cove's walking trail, a relatively easy hike that's about a mile each way. Or, if you're up for the challenge, opt for the steep climb to the top of the cove's waterfall to see the actual filming location.

Durham Cathedral

Another two hours northeast of Malham Cove will bring you to Durham, England, home of Durham Cathedral. Step inside the cathedral's Chapter House to discover the setting for Professor McGonagall's classrooms. Walk around the grounds, too, to catch a glimpse of other locations used for various memorable moments in the earlier films, such as when Harry releases Hedwig in "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" and when Ron's slug curse backfires on him in "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets."

Alnwick Castle

Travel another hour north to discover one of the most famous sites in the "Harry Potter" films: Alnwick Castle.

Known in the movies as Hogwarts, the castle was used for many shots in the first two movies. The property's courtyards and baileys served as the backdrop for a variety of scenes with Hogwarts students, including when Ron crashed the Weasley's flying car in the Inner Bailey. Additionally, you'll recognize the castle's main gate, the Lion Arch, as the place where Harry, Ron and Hermione leave and return to Hogwarts during visits to Hagrid's hut.

However, the most notable landmark at Alnwick Castle is the Outer Bailey, where Madam Hooch taught that first broomstick lesson (and where we were introduced to Oliver Wood while Harry first learned about Quidditch). You can actually participate in broomstick training lessons at the castle — the entrance fee covers the activity, plus access to an exhibit about "Downton Abbey," which was also filmed here. There's also a guided tour that will give you a behind-the-scenes look at what it was like having "Harry Potter" filmed at Alnwick Castle.

Unfortunately, the property isn't open year-round. At the time of writing, the castle is closed to visitors for the winter season. It reopens on March 25, 2022. You'll want to book your tickets and time slot in advance — slots are limited due to COVID-19, and they go quickly.

Glenfinnan Viaduct

Easily the most picturesque filming location in the U.K., the Glenfinnan Viaduct is best known for its role as the structure on top of which the Hogwarts Express transports students to and from Hogwarts. Located in the western part of the Scottish Highlands, a mountainous region in northwest Scotland, the viaduct offers breathtaking views of the Scottish countryside.

There are two ways you can experience this filming location. If you drive north of Fort William, there's a place to park and take a quick walk up the valley to a lookout spot where you can see the viaduct in all its glory. However, fans who truly wish to live out their Hogwarts Express dreams will want to book a trip on the Jacobite. This steam train provides a front-row view of the same scenery Harry and his classmates saw on their way to Hogwarts as it travels between Fort William and Mallaig.

Related: 14 of the most scenic train rides on Earth

Glencoe, Scotland

No trip to the beautiful Scottish Highlands would be complete without a visit to Glencoe, one of Scotland's most well-known areas. If you're a fan of the outdoors, it's a great spot to explore.

"Harry Potter" enthusiasts will appreciate seeing the area that was featured throughout the movies. Hogwarts Quidditch matches were filmed in front of Glen Nevis, and you'll recognize Steall Falls as the location of some parts of the Triwizard Tournament in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire." Additionally, Glencoe serves as the backdrop for Hagrid's hut in "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban."

Fans of the TV series "Outlander" will also recognize this location, as it has appeared in many scenes for that series, too.

Bottom line

While seeing all of these locations in one trip will require multiple days and your own set of wheels, many are clustered close to each other, making it possible to visit a few regardless of where your trip to the U.K. takes you. All of the Oxford, Lacock Abbey and Gloucester filming locations are doable during a day trip from London. Durham Cathedral and Alnwick Castle are easy to see in the same day and can be combined with a day trip to Malham Cove. If you're planning on checking out Edinburgh or Glasgow, you'll find Glencoe and the Glenfinnan Viaduct a few hours away by the coast, and you could visit both on the way to Scotland's gorgeous offshore islands.

With a bit of luck, I'll be heading to the U.K. this year for my own version of a DIY "Harry Potter" film tour, though I plan to mix in a few spots from "Pride & Prejudice" while I'm there, too. London, especially, has plenty of excellent points hotels , so I'll be able to relive as many of these iconic movies' scenes as I can while sticking to a budget.

Related: Using points and miles to get to London

Harry Potter Places to Visit in the UK

A list of places in the UK where Harry Potter was filmed, written, or inspired

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Year Visited: 2022

Time of Year: May

Harry Potter Places in the UK

There are SO many places for Harry Potter fans to visit in the UK. From filming locations, to places that inspired the story, to Harry Potter themed afternoon teas, it’s impossible to fit them all in one vacation (or one list!).

I guarantee there will be plenty more places to visit than just what this list mentions. But I have discovered quite a lot of Harry Potter places to visit, so this list will certainly get you started in your trip planning.

Map of Harry Potter places to visit in the UK:

Warner bros. harry potter studio tour.

The Warner Bros. Studio Tour is a must visit for fans of the series. With actual sets, costumes and props, plus butterbeer, chocolate frogs, and the best selection of Harry Potter themed merchandise around, it’s a mecca for Harry Potter fans around the world.

Get a sneak peak of the tour with this video:

Millennium bridge.

Walk across this famous pedestrian bridge to cross from the Tate Modern toward the iconic St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Just hopefully the bridge won’t collapse from Death Eaters on your way over…

Platform 9 3/4

My sister trying to enter Platform 9 3/4

Visit the famous gateway to the Hogwarts Express at King’s Cross Station.

The platform isn’t actually between platforms 9 and 10. It is at the far end of the main rail station lobby area. You know you’ve found it when you run into the line of people waiting to take a selfie.

Leicester Square Film Statues

The city of London recently installed 13 film inspired statues in Leicester Square . These include many beloved classics like Mary Poppins, Paddington Bear, and of course, Harry Potter.

Harry Potter Themed Afternoon Tea

You can sit under the enchanted ceiling if you book an afternoon tea with your studio tour.

There are all sorts of themed afternoon teas to try in London (although they are expensive!). We opted for the Romeo and Juliet themed afternoon tea at the Globe Theater, but you could do a Harry Potter themed afternoon tea.

There are several “wizard themed” afternoon teas in London. Here are a few you can choose from:

You can add an afternoon tea to your tour at the studios.

Wizard’s Afternoon Tea at the Wizard Exploratorium in London.

Afternoon Tea at the Potion Room at Cutter & Squidge.

Bodleian Library

There are many majestic sites to see in Oxford, UK, but the Divinity School at the Bodleian Library might be the best.

You might recognize it as the filming location where the Gryffindors practiced for the Yule Ball dance. It is also the filming location for the school’s infirmary, where Harry spends no short amount of time.

There are other parts of the library that were also used for filming. You can book a timed entry into just the Divinity School, or you can book a 30 minute, 60 minute, or 90 minute tour of the library.

New College

The city of Oxford is full of colleges, each with their own unique cloisters. You can visit all of them, usually for a small fee. Some are more notable than others for fans of the Harry Potter series.

The cloisters at New College are quite recognizable as the courtyard where “Mad Eye” famously turned Draco into a ferret.

Christ Church College

Christ Church College was another filming location for the Harry Potter movies. The hallways are where Hermione shows Harry the Quidditch trophy case with his father’s name in it.

While not used for filming, the dining hall of Christ Church is usually cited as the inspiration for the great hall at Hogwarts.

Please Note: The dining hall is usually closed to visitors from around 11:45-2, during the students’ lunch.

Gloucester Cathedral

I only discovered this incredible cathedral, and site of several Harry Potter filming locations, after we returned home from England (which… is probably a good thing, because I have no idea how I would have fit it in!).

Located near the Cotswolds (those adorable little villages), Gloucester is less than a 2 hr. train ride from central London.

So if you’re not me, and you already know Gloucester is a must-see on your list, you can easily visit on a day trip from London.

Check out this article for all the information you need (plus pictures of how incredible it really is!).

The Shambles

The famous street in the medieval city of York might be the inspiration for Diagon Alley. It certainly looks a lot like we imagine the fictional street would appear, but it’s even cooler because it wasn’t trying to imitate Diagon Alley. This is just how the street is. And has been. For hundreds of years!

As a bonus, you can find several Harry Potter themed shops down this alley. So if you’ve dreamed of buying a wand in Diagon Alley… here’s your chance.

Alnwick Castle

Located between York and Edinburgh, Alnwick Castle is a bit out of the way, but a beautiful place to visit for Harry Potter fans. It was used as a filming location in both of the first two movies (both the interior and exterior)!

One of the scenes filmed here is the learning to fly scene, and you can even recreate this scene with your own flying lesson at the castle! You can book a time slot for your flying lesson upon arrival at the castle, but note that they prioritize letting kids and teenagers into the class first, over the kids at heart (adults).

Try to avoid visiting during school holidays for a better chance of getting in the lesson (plus less crowds in general).

You can even have a meal at the magical Treehouse Restaurant in the Alnwick Castle gardens.

The Elephant House

The Elephant House is one of the cafes where writer J.K. Rowling penned the original books in the Harry Potter series.

Unfortunately, the building caught on fire in 2021, and much of the inside was damaged. It is currently being remodeled, and will hopefully open again sometime in the next year.

Who knows how much of the inside will be the same (including the famous bathrooms, where fans penned notes to JK and HP), but at the very least, the table where J.K. liked to sit was saved from the flames.

Nicolsons Cafe

Thankfully, J.K. didn’t just write in one cafe. So even though we couldn’t visit The Elephant House in Edinburgh, we could visit Nicolsons Cafe (and the red velvet cheesecake was definitely worth it, Harry Potter fan or not!).

Although this cafe closed down and reopened under new management, it’s still in the same location, and is definitely playing up the Harry Potter connection. Plus, did I mention the cheesecake?

Department of Magic

The Department of Magic is an “unofficial” Harry Potter (wizard) themed bar and escape room. The best part about it is it’s in a secret location (or at least, down the hidden staircase).

There are some crazy potions (drinks) you can try, or you can come to the escape room (which we did). Fair warning, it was a pretty challenging escape room.

Greyfriar’s Kirkyard

This kirkyard, or graveyard, is reminiscent of the graveyard where Tom Riddle’s father is buried in “The Goblet of Fire.”

You will definitely recognize some names as you wander through the tombstones, including Tom Riddle .

The city of Edinburgh has reported that the thousands of fans who visit the kirkyard has led to some erosion of the tomb, so please be careful and considerate if you do visit it.

The Jacobite Steam Train

Fort william.

The Jacobite Steam Train was used as the Hogwarts Express in several of the Harry Potter movies. You can visit the Glenfinnan Viaduct and watch it go by, or you can ride the train itself.

Be sure to bring some money to buy something off the trolley.

Glenfinnan Viaduct

The historic Glenfinnan Viaduct is a stunning viewpoint to watch the Jacobite Steam Train roll by, either in the morning or the evening.

Whether or not you’re a fan of Harry Potter, it is a truly awesome sight to walk beneath this imposing structure.

Hagrid’s Hut

This picture is from Glencoe Valley, but it is not the actual filming location of Hagrid’s Hut.

If you’re driving through Glencoe Valley (an especially stunning part of Scotland), you can stop to see the location where they filmed Hagrid’s Hut .

We didn’t see this particular location, but Glencoe was absolutely gorgeous, and there are plenty of pull off spots to stop and take pictures and walk around.

There are lots of other movies that were filmed here too, including the James Bond movie “ Skyfall .”

Honorary Quidditch Towns

Across the uk & ireland.

With the release of J.K. Rowling’s book Quidditch Through the Ages in 2020, 11 towns throughout the UK and Ireland were named “ honorary Quidditch towns .”

What that means is they get a team banner and a Quidditch goal post set up in town, which makes a great photo op. There are also supposed to be Quidditch themed activity packs for Harry Potter fans that visit any of these towns.

There are 13 Quidditch teams in the book, but 2 of them are from ficticious towns. All 11 other towns mentioned were named honorary Quidditch towns:

Ballycastle

Map of the honorary Quidditch towns:

Harry potter souvenirs.

Harry Potter themed shops are EVERYWHERE in the UK. Here is a list of all the places I found Harry Potter souvenirs, and which ones were worth browsing.

In general, most shops will have the same merchandise.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour

The studio tour is actually the best place for buying souvenirs. Their shops are definitely the most extensive, plus they are all themed. You can buy candy from Honeydukes, or a wand from Olivander’s.

I chose not to buy anything at the gift shops here, because I wanted to buy souvenirs from the Shambles (AKA the real life Diagon Alley!). But this is really the best place to buy souvenirs.

Be sure to spend some time browsing around the shops at the studio.

Heathrow Airport

When you first arrive in London at Heathrow, you can visit the Harry Potter gift shop in terminal 5.

Please note: We arrived at terminal 2, and did not travel to terminal 5. You might need to go out of your way to visit this shop.

There is a Harry Potter themed gift shop at King’s Cross Station, near Platform 9 3/4, which is in the main lobby of the rail station ( not between platforms 9 &10!).

The York Shambles

The Shambles are arguably the coolest street in England. They definitely have a Diagon Alley vibe, which I think makes it the perfect place to buy a wand.

There are several Harry Potter themed gift shops here, the largest one being The Shop That Must Not Be Named. Keep in mind that, even though it is a larger shop, there are still a lot of things you can find at the studios that you can’t find here.

If you choose to ride the Jacobite Steam Train in Scotland, someone will come push the souvenir cart around so you “get something off the trolley.”

Of course they do not have a lot of options, as it is just a little cart, but you can get some unique steam train (Hogwarts Express) themed items here.

This is where the steam train stops off at, before returning to Fort William. We found a fun little shop here, hidden away down a secret alley.

Again, it was mostly the same things you will find at other gift shops, and because it is a smaller shop, the selection will be slimmer. It is fun, however, to find secret hidden shops that make buying Harry Potter souvenirs more special.

You can visit the Glenfinnan Viaduct to watch the steam train go by! And then of course, you can find buy Harry Potter souvenirs in their visitor center.

This is not strictly a Harry Potter shop though, and the selection is small. But you will find more Hogwarts Express themed merchandise, if you are not able to go on the actual train.

Literally Every Street in Edinburgh

Everywhere you go in Edinburgh, you will find stores advertising the “birthplace of Harry Potter.” It’s all the same merchandise, so there’s no need to wait to find something better somewhere else, if you do find something you want.

Conclusion:

After traversing the UK in search of all things Harry Potter, I would conclude that the best place to buy souvenirs really is at the Studio Tour. So go ahead and consider this permission to blow all your vacation fund at their gift shops.

However, it is especially fun to buy Harry Potter souvenirs from Diagon Alley (the York Shambles) and the Hogwart’s Express (the Jacobite Steam Train).

But if you find something special, buy it at the studio. You can always buy chocolate frogs and every flavor beans at any Harry Potter shop you come to, but you might not find the same merchandise that they have at the large studio stores.

Map of the Harry Potter souvenirs:

The Harry Potter wall in the entrance to Nicolson’s Cafe, Edinburgh.

Know of any other Harry Potter experiences in the UK?

Feel free to share them in the comments below!

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Peter Moore | 24 June 2017

A muggle’s guide to the uk’s best harry potter locations.

Celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by following in Harry’s footsteps as he begins life as a young wizard at Hogwarts

Before you go

1: gringotts wizard bank.

Australia House, London

The  exterior of Australia House (Dreamstime)

In many ways, the world of wizards is not so different to the real world. You need money to get by, and the only place to get it is from Gringotts, the wizard bank run by goblins.

The interior shots for Gringotts were filmed inside Australia House on the Strand in London. It is normally home to the Australian High Commission so it’s not open to the public but you can look in from the outside. Sadly, there aren’t any Gringott ATMs on the outside walls for withdrawing in the witching hours, either.

Where: Strand, London WC2B 4LA

2: Diagon Alley

Leadenhall Market, London

The gilded interior of Leadenhall Market (Dreamstime)

Cashed up after your visit to Gringotts, it’s time to head to Diagon Alley where young wizards can buy everything on their Hogwarts supply list. If you’re lucky, and it’s your birthday, a friendly giant may even buy you a white owl.

Diagon Alley first appears in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and was filmed in the sumptuous Leadenhall Market. Built in 1881, it is considered London's most beautiful Victorian market.

Where:   Gracechurch St, London EC3V 1LT

The journey

3: platform 9¾, kings cross station.

Kings Cross Station, London

Harry Potter fans posing at Platform 9¾ (Dreamstime)

Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross in London is the platform where young wizards board the Hogwarts Express, the scarlet steam train that will take them to their school. It is situated between the Muggle platforms of 9 and 10.

For a long time you could find half a luggage cart disappearing into the wall between the real platforms, 9 and 10, but with the redevelopment of Kings Cross Station, it has been moved into the main shopping concourse. Here Muggles can pose for photos and buy souvenirs from the attached shop to their heart's content.

Where:  Kings Cross Station, London, N1 9AP

4: The Hogwarts Express

The Jacobite Steam Train, Scotland

Steam billowing from the Jacobite Steam Train (Dreamstime)

The Hogwarts Express is the name of the steam train that dutifully carries students to and from Hogwarts at the beginning and end of each term.

The good news for Muggles is that the Hogwarts Express is a real train called the Jacobite Steam Train that runs between April and October every year. The bad news is that it departs from Fort William in Scotland, over 500 miles away from Kings Cross.

It’s worth the effort though. The 85-mile journey cuts through some of the most spectacular scenery in Scotland and chugs across the famous Glenfinnan viaduct.

Jacobite Steam Train

5: Hogsmeade Station

Goathland Train Station, Yorkshire

Half term at Goatland (Dreamstime)

Hogsmeade is the railway station that serves both the village of Hogsmeade and Hogwarts school. It is here that young wizards and witches disembark with their assorted luggage and magical animals and make their way around the Black Lake to Hogwarts Castle.

In real life, Hogmeade Station is the equally intriguingly named Goathland Station. Built in 1865 as part of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, it has changed little over the centuries. It is still in service and can be reached by train from either Whitby or Pickering.

Where: Cow Wath Bank, Goathland, Whitby YO22 5NF

Welcome to Hogwarts

6: hogwarts (exterior).

Alnwick Castle, Northumberland

Alnwick Castle. Moody (Dreamstime)

Wondering how Harry and his classmates felt the first time they caught sight of their new school? You can get the same feeling by visiting Alnwick Castle in Northumberland, the place where many of the exterior shots for Hogwarts were filmed.

The castle is the second largest inhabited castle in England after Windsor Castle and has been home to the Dukes of Northumberland for over 700 years. Older Muggles may be interested to know the castle was also used to film episodes of Antiques Roadshow and Flog It!

Where: Alnwick NE66 1NQ

7: Hogwarts (exterior and interior)

Durham Cathedral, County Durham

Durham Cathedral reflected in the River Wear (Dreamstime)

Founded in 1093 and set by the picturesque River Wear, Durham Cathedral has been used to shoot various exterior and interior shots of Hogwarts, including Hogwarts’ famous bell towers (although CGI was used to add spires.)

The cloisters of Durham Cathedral were also used as the location for the Middle Courtyard, or Transfiguration Courtyard, and the entrance to the Headmaster’s Office.

Where: The College, Durham DH1 3EH

8: Hogwarts (interior)

Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucestershire

Intricate stonework in the cloisters (Dreamstime)

With their intricate stonework and atmospheric arches, the cloisters in Gloucester Cathedral were the perfect stand-in for the corridors of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

One of the most famous scenes shot here was one involving the Fat Lady, a portrait that guards the entrance to Gryffindor Tower. It was filmed at the end of the West Walk. Muggle fathers may also be interested in some of the cathedral’s stain glass windows. Dating back to 1350, they depict some of the earliest evidence of sports such as golf and medieval football.

Where: 12 College Green, Gloucester GL1 2LX

9: Snape's potion classroom

Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire

Medieval cauldron in Lacock Abbey (Dreamstime)

If it’s time to get down to lessons, then it’s time to head to Lacock Abbey in rural Wiltshire.  It is here you’ll find the classroom used for Snape’s lessons on potions as well as the Temporary Defence Against The Dark Arts classroom.

Snape’s potion lessons were filmed in the Sacristy, where the windows were covered to give the impression that the room was underground. The scenes involving the Temporary Defence Against The Dark Arts classroom were shot in the Abbey’s Warming Room. It has a medieval cauldron that was also used in the film. The scenes involving the student’s study room were filmed in the Abbey too.

Where: Lacock, Chippenham SN15 2LG

Main image: Harry Potter fans posing at Platform 9 ¾ (Dreamstime)

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• A muggle's guide to Harry Potter filming locations

A muggle's guide to Harry Potter filming locations

Durham cathedral.

Durham, County Durham

UNESCO World Heritage Site, Durham Cathedral, has doubled up as Hogwarts not once, but twice over the years. Explore the ancient cloisters that became the snow-covered quadrangle where Harry magically releases Hedwig in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, and walk in the footsteps of Harry, Ron and Hermione in The Chapter House, which appeared in the Chamber of Secrets as the setting for Professor McGonagall's transfiguration classroom. We doubt you'll be able to turn animals into water goblets though. 

Alnwick Castle

Explore the grounds of Alnwick Castle in Northumberland and imagine you’re part of Madame Hooch’s flying lesson by joining the resident wizarding professors for broomstick training sessions on the very spot where Harry had his first lesson in the first film. (Between March and October)

The Warner Bros. Studio Tour

Wizards, squibs and even muggles can discover the magic of Harry Potter on the Warner Bros Studio Tour . The studios were used in the filming of all the Harry Potter films, and many of the fantastic props, mythical items and iconic sets were saved. Take a journey through the famous sets, pose in your favourite scenes, and taste some delicious Butterbeer.

Lacock Abbey

Venture to the quaint English village of Lacock in Wiltshire, where parts of the movie series were filmed. Take trip to the abbey and see if you can recognise Hogwarts’ interiors, including Professor Snape’s classroom. See if you can spot Horace Slughorn’s home from The Half-Blood Prince as you explore the village.

Leadenhall Market

Fancy a visit to the Leaky Cauldron from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, or a stroll down Diagon Alley? Leadenhall Market in the City of London was used as Diagon Alley in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, whilst the entrance to wizard’s pub, the Leaky Cauldron, is in real life an optician in Bull’s Head Passage.

Gloucester Cathedral

Visit one of the oldest stars of the Harry Potter films with a trip to Gloucester Cathedral . Its beautiful cloisters, complete with awe inspiring fan vaulted ceilings, lead to the Gryffindor Common Room, and have also been stormed through by a troll and graced by the fat lady.

Goathland Station

Climb aboard the North Yorkshire Moors Railway where you can enjoy a ride through picturesque countryside before pulling into Goathland Station , which doubled as Hogsmeade station in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

King's Cross Station

The Hogwarts Express departs from Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross Station , which is in the arched wall between platforms 4 and 5. If that seems short on magic, head towards the real-life entrance to platforms 9, 10 and 11 on the west side of the station where you’ll find a trolley disappearing into the magical realm through a wall with the sign: Platform 9¾.

Christ Church College

Wander around the cloisters and quadrangles of Christ Church College where many of the Hogwarts scenes in the first movie were filmed. Book a college room at Christ Church and enjoy breakfast in The Great Hall, which was replicated in the film studios to create the grand Hogwarts Hall. Don’t forget to take a photo on the 16th-century staircase, where Harry and the new first-years are greeted by Professor McGonagall.

Piccadilly Circus

Marvel at the bright lights and bustling atmosphere of London’s Piccadilly Circus , where Harry, Hermione and Ron materialise and have to jump out of the way to narrowly miss being hit a London bus.

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Explore the UK like Harry Potter

10 amazing harry potter places you can actually visit.

With over 500 million book sales and 8 amazing movies, Harry Potter is nothing short of a phenomenon. These set locations from the movies are scattered all around the UK, so no matter where you find yourself, chances are there’s one close by.

Fans of the Harry Potter novels and movies will obviously be most excited to visit these locations, but even if you’re unfamiliar with the story, the stunning landscapes and landmarks are certainly worth a look. Wands at the ready, let’s explore the UK through the eyes of Harry Potter.

London: King’s Cross Station

Set from the movie – platform 9¾.

The Hogwarts Express which first takes Harry to wizarding school was filmed here. Though there’s no actual Platform 9¾, you can find the sign along with a trolley half-disappearing into a wall outside the Harry Potter gift shop in the concourse of King’s Cross station. Owing to its popularity, you’ll likely have to queue for your photo with the disappearing trolley.

Location: King’s Cross Station, Kings Cross, London N1 9AP, UK

Phone: +44 (0)20 3196 7375

London: Leadenhall Market

Set from the movie – diagon alley.

This beautiful Victorian shopping arcade near Monument Tube station is the scene of Diagon Alley. In the movies, this is where the young wizards come to find supplies, as well as visit The Leaky Cauldron for a glass of butterbeer. In real life, the pub is an optometrists’ clinic. You’ll find a nice selection of restaurants and shops here, but avoid midday as the whole arcade is overrun with office workers looking for lunch.

Location: Gracechurch St, London EC3V 1LT, UK

National SEA LIFE Center Birmingham

10 Best Things to Do in Cornwall

Blackpool North Railroad Station

London suburbs: warner bros. studios, many scenes from all movies.

The Harry Potter studios is probably the best place to visit if you’re a diehard fan. You can discover how the movie was made, walk through many sets, and see original costumes worn by the cast. There are also special effects demonstrations and many scale models of the sets.

Location: Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden WD25 7LR, UK

Open: Daily from 9.30 am to 10 pm

Phone: +44 (0)345 084 0900

South East England: Christ Church College, Oxford

Set from the movie – the great hall of hogwarts.

Oxford University has many stunning period buildings, but if you visit Christ Church College, you can see where Harry and his friends ate their meals while at Hogwarts. This 16th-century building has a period charm and you can tour it yourself. Who knows, if your children study hard enough, perhaps they too could be dining there some day.

Location: Christ Church, St. Aldates, Oxford OX1 1DP, UK

Northern England: Alnwick Castle, Northumberland

Set from the movie – the exterior of hogwarts.

Alnwick Castle is a stunning castle that played an important role in the Harry Potter movies. You can see exactly where Harry learnt to play Quiddich, and even take part in Broomstick Training yourself – it’s the perfect photo opportunity if you're able to time your jump. This iconic castle has been used in plenty of other film and television productions, like Downton Abbey and Robin Hood .

Location: Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 1NQ

Phone: +44 (0)1665 511 100

Northern England: Durham Cathedral, Durham

Set from the movie – harry’s classroom.

Durham Cathedral is among England’s most beautiful medieval buildings. It was featured in several different scenes from the movies, most notably when Harry, Hermione, and Ron turned animals into goblets of water with an incantation of “ Vera Verto ”. The quadrangle in the center of the cathedral was also featured. Guided tours of the cathedral take place most days for around £5, and the guide will be happy to point out sets from the movie.

Location: The College, Durham DH1 3EH, UK

Northern England: Goathland Train Station, York

Set from the movie – hogsmeade station.

Hogsmeade station, the fictional village station from the Harry Potter series, is in reality a quaint village rail stop in the North Yorkshire Moors, near the seaside town of Whitby. The station was built in 1865 and retains a period charm. Steam trains still run on the 24-mile track between Pickering and Whitby, and you can enjoy a ride yourself.

Location: Cow Wath Bank, Goathland, Whitby YO22 5NF, UK

Scotland: Glencoe, Argyll

Set from the movie – hagrid’s cottage.

Glencoe in Scotland was the location of Hagrid’s cottage in the third movie, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban . The set has since been removed but the view from the Clachaig Inn, overlooking the glen, will certainly ring some bells for Potter fans. You can have a meal at the mountain inn while enjoying the rugged landscape.

Location: Glencoe, Ballachulish PH49 4HX, UK

Phone: +44 (0)1855 811252

Scotland: Glenfinnan Viaduct, Inverness

Set from the movie – railway line to hogwarts.

This stunning granite viaduct runs close to Loch Shiel in the highlands of Scotland. It’s a popular hiking spot that’s overlooked by rugged mountains, but Harry Potter fans will no doubt know the landscape as the train line that runs between London and Hogsmeade. The viaduct is 100ft tall and is still a functioning railway line. This spot is often included as a small stop-off on tours to Loch Ness.

Location: A830 Rd, Glenfinnan PH37 4, UK

Scotland: George Heriot's School, Edinburgh

Inspiration for jk rowling while writing.

Though this stunning private school isn’t shown on screen, it has an important place in the hearts and minds of Harry Potter fans because it is widely believed to have been JK Rowling’s inspiration for Hogwarts school. Rowling wrote the first novels in Edinburgh cafés close to the school. You can take Harry Potter-themed tours around the city, pointing out places of inspiration for the writer.

Location: Lauriston Pl, Edinburgh EH3 9EQ, UK

This article includes opinions of the Go Guides editorial team. Hotels.com compensates authors for their writing appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.

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The Best Harry Potter Experiences In The UK In 2023

With Harry Potter being the best selling book series in HISTORY with over 500 million copies sold worldwide, it is only natural that there would be a whole host of amazing Harry Potter experiences too.

Our kids are 6 and 7 and just getting into the wizarding world so I decided to take a look at a the Harry Potter experiences we could do together as a family and my word there’s a lot of choice!

So, what does a Harry Potter experience mean to you? What is the ultimate Harry Potter experience? Is it seeing the Harry Potter steam train? Or maybe it is going on a Harry Potter studio tour?

It probably means different things to different people so we’ve selected the best Harry Potter experiences around the UK ensuring that there’s something for everyone.

Whether you’re visiting the UK from further afield or just taking a UK staycation , there are so many Harry Potter experiences waiting for you.

Before you do any of these Harry Potter days out, it’s always fun to catch up on the Harry Potter movies so grab that Harry Potter DVD box set or download them from Amazon .

And if you have a Harry Potter fan in your life with a birthday coming up and are wondering what to buy them, check out our Harry Potter gift guide !

This post contains affiliate links. Should you buy something from one of them, we may earn a small commission but this is at no extra cost to you.

Harry Potter London experiences

Many of the Harry Potter experiences are in London so we’ll start with those, but there are lots of other experiences around the country.

1. Take the Harry Potter Studio Tour

Harry Potter World London is probably the experience that most people have heard of, whether they are a Harry Potter fan or not.

It is a multi-award winning tour and one of the best attractions near London for kids so it seems only right to start our own tour of Harry Potter experiences in the UK with it.

The Warner Bros. Studio Tour provides a complete and immersive Harry Potter experience all about the making of Harry Potter. So what is the Harry Potter tour like? Well, first off, it’s not a tour as such.

You’ll get to wander through the studios without a guide and visit film sets, see props that were used in the movies and learn about special effects. There are also interactive activities along the way.

If you’re visiting London at Christmas , you can experience a Harry Potter Christmas at Hogwarts in the Snow (from 12th November to 15th January 2023). It is actually based in Hertfordshire and is one of the best things to do at Christmas in Hertfordshire .

Don’t forget to also check out the London Christmas lights if you’re doing a walking tour. It’s a lovely thing to do at Christmas with kids.

Getting to the Warner Brothers Studios

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London Studio tour Drive Leavesden Hertfordshire WD25 7LR

Many people search for the Harry Potter studio London but it is actually not in London , it is in Hertfordshire, just a little outside of London.

If you have a car, there is a free carpark on-site. You can also take a direct train from central London (Euston) to Watford Junction. From there you can take a shuttle bus to the studios.

If you prefer to stay closer to the studios, check out our guide to the hotels near Harry Potter World for families . Otherwise, visiting the Warner Brother Studios makes a fantastic day trip from London with kids .

Harry Potter Studio tickets

You must buy Harry Potter tickets in advance. This is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the UK and sells out well in advance.

You can also book a package including transfers from London.  See here for Warner Bros Studio tour with transfer from London .

Hogwarts at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour | Photo credit: Warner Bros.

2. Take a Harry Potter Walking Tour

Harry Potter Studio Tours also offer a Harry Potter London tour taking you on a 2.5 walk around London visiting various film locations. You can buy your Harry Potter walking tour tickets here .

3. Visit Platform 9 3/4

Perhaps the next most well known Harry Potter London experience is the Harry Potter Kings Cross Platform 9 3/4 recreation. For years commuting into London I would walk past and not really give it much thought.

There was never a queue of people when I strolled past on the way to work at 7.30 am (or back to the train after a night out) but now when I want to take the kids, there is always a huge queue!

So, either get here very early if you want to avoid queuing or expect a bit of a wait. The trolley is there 24/7 but the only issues with going at unsociable hours are that:

a) you won’t get to take a picture with the flowing Harry Potter scarf because there are no employees there to provide you with this prop.

And b) you will need someone there with you to take a photo as their professional photographer will not be there.

You probably also want to go when the Harry Potter shop at Platform 9 3/4 is open. It sells all the Harry Potter merchandise. You don’t want to miss out on picking up some Harry Potter gifts here.

We found the shop quite expensive so as an alternative, you can find official Harry Potter merchandise here at Popgear .

The Harry Potter shop opening times are 9 am to 7 pm daily. If you can’t get there in person, there’s even a virtual Harry Potter shop.

By the way – on the 1st September every year, there is a special train departure announcement at Kings Cross station.  The train to Hogsmeade departs from Platform 9 3/4 at 11am. Don’t miss it!

Platform 9 3/4 at Kings Cross

4. Enjoy a Harry Potter afternoon tea in London

One thing you really should do when visiting London is to have an afternoon tea. As a Harry Potter fan, you’ll be pleased to know that there are some Harry Potter themed afternoon teas in amongst some of the best places to have afternoon tea in London .

Wands & Wizard Exploratorium – for a fabulously interactive afternoon tea using your wand that you can make at the same venue (see #10 below) to unlock secret compartments in the tea chest and much more.

Cutter and Squidge – for an immersive afternoon tea for wizards in the Potion Room.

The Georgian House Hotel – the afternoon tea is positively wizardly. Even the website cursor is a Harry Potter wand.

Afternoon tea at Cutter & Squidge | Photo Credit: Cutter & Squidge

5. Take a Harry Potter Muggles Walking Tour

The Harry Potter Muggles Walking Tour is rated as one of the best walking tours in London for Harry Potter fans. You set off from Monument Station and are taken on a walking journey through London to where the world of muggles and wizards meet.

Your guide, a real life witch or wizard, will entertain you with Harry Potter stories and you’ll see secret places along the way.

The company is running private tours currently to adhere to government guidelines. The tour lasts about 2 hours and currently costs £90.00. If you are not able to take the tour, they also have a virtual tour available.

Harry Potter Walking Tour for Muggles | Photo Credit: Muggles Walking Tour

6. Watch the Harry Potter Theatre production

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has been running at the Palace Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue since the summer of 2016. It has won a record nine awards and is one of the most popular shows in the West End.

You can take a sneaky peek at the Harry Potter London show trailer here:

7. Visit the Harry Potter film locations in London

If you want to do your own walking tour at your own pace, here are some of the Harry Potter film locations in London that you can visit. This is a lovely (and free) way to spend a day in London .

Leadenhall Market – where the Diagon Alley scene from the Philosopher’s Stone was filmed (when Harry was first introduced to the wizarding). Look out for the blue optician’s shop at 42 Bull’s Head Passage which was used as the entrance to The Leaky Cauldron.

Australia House – The scenes inside the Gringotts Wizarding Bank were filmed inside Australia House. Although not open to the public, you can take a peek through the glass doors (weekdays only) at the impressive marble interior and great chandeliers.

King Cross Platform 9 3/4 – although there is a Platform 9 3/4 (mentioned above), the station scene in The Philosopher’s Stone was actually filmed between platforms 4 and 5 at Kings Cross Station. The impressive red brick exterior of Kings Cross St Pancras station was also used.

Millenium Bridge – used in the filming of the Half Blood Prince

London Zoo – the reptile house was where Harry Potter started talking in to the python before he knew he was a wizard.

Piccadilly Circus – used in the filming of the Deathly Hallows I where Harry, Hermione and Ron are fleeing from the Death Eaters.

Leadenhall Market in London

Millenium Bridge in London

Piccadilly Circus in London

8. Attempt the Harry Potter Escape Room

Fancy getting locked in a Harry Potter themed room for 60 minutes and having to work as a team solving Harry Potter clues to escape? Sounds like fun to us. Check out Enigma Quests’  School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. No age limit but recommended age is 9+.

2-12 Wilson Street, London, EC2M 7LS

9. Visit the Harry Potter bar London

Harry Potter doesn’t have to be all about the kids. If you find yourself on a child free day out in London, why not pop into The Cauldron where you can mix cocktails with a difference. They can also be found in New York, Edinburgh and Dublin.

Mixing potions at the Cauldron in London | Photo credit: The Cauldron

10. Visit Wands and Wizard Exploratorium

The Wands & Wizard Exploratorium shop in London is a fabulous place to take the kids. They have various different events running through the year but the wand making experience is particularly fun.

You can try your hand at making your own magical wand choosing various magical elements to go into it. The wand can interact with the sweet dispensers in the shop or used during the fabulous afternoon tea experience (see #4 above).

Harry Potter experiences in Scotland

11. take the jacobite steam train.

The Jacobite Steam Train (otherwise know as the Hogwarts Express, Hogwarts train or the Harry Potter train Scotland) has been described as the greatest railway journey in the world.

It is a must for all Harry Potter enthusiasts visiting Scotland – although you don’t have to be a die-hard Potterhead to appreciate it. It is a fabulous experience for anyone.

The Jacobite train from Fort William to Mallaig takes you on a 41 mile (65 km) journey through the incredibly scenic Scottish countryside and, of course, over the Glenfinnian Viaduct (aka Harry Potter Viaduct).

The Jacobite costs £30 for a child and £52 for an adult (return).

See here for a day trip from Edinburgh, including a trip on the Hogwarts Express.

See here for a 3 day tour of the Scottish Highlands highlights including the Hogwarts Express, the Isle of Skye and Loch Ness.

If you don’t want to take the train, you can just go and watch as it passes. The train crosses the viaduct twice a day; once at 10.15 am and again at 3.15 pm (although check their site in case of changes to timetable).

If you are thinking of visiting the Isle of Skye – you can get the ferry from Mallaig. Read more on some of the top destinations in Skye ( Fairy Glen and Dinosaur Footprints beach ).

The Jacobite (aka the Harry Potter Train)

12. Tour Harry Potter sites in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is also an important location in the world of Harry Potter. It all began in Edinburgh with J.K. Rowling drawing inspiration from the fabulously historic Scottish capital and where she wrote the Harry Potter books.

Some important sites around Edinburgh are:

• Greyfriars Kirkyard – the headstone for Thomas Riddle inspired the Harry Potter villain, Lord Voldemort
• The Elephant House – where J.K. Rowling would sit and write
• Victoria Street – the famous bowed street is said to have given the inspiration for Diagon Alley
• The City Chambers – to see J.K. Rowling’s handprints in the style of the Hollywood stars
• George Heriot’s School – said to be the inspiration for Hogwarts. It’s not open to the public but you can get views of it from George IV Bridge and Greyfriars Kirkyard.

If you’re looking for non-HP things to do in Edinburgh? Check out these awesome things to do with kids in Edinburgh .

The Edinburgh skyline at dusk

13. Take a Harry Potter Walking Tour in Edinburgh

There are a number of walking tours you can do. Some are guided tours but using the information above, you can also do self-guided Harry Potter tours of Edinburgh. Here are some ideas for guided tours:

The Potter Trail (they also have a virtual tour )

Get Your Guide has a couple of highly rated tours available:

Harry Potter Magical Guide Walking Tour

Edinburgh Harry Potter Walking Tour

While in Edinburgh – you might also like to try one of these top attractions in Edinburgh:

Edinburgh Castle Skip the Line Tour

City Sightseeing Edinburgh: 24 hour Hop On Hop Off Bus

14. Attempt the Edinburgh Harry Potter Escape Room

Try The Department of Magic Escape Room (or make your own magic potions ).

9 Blair Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1QR.

15. Visit the Harry Potter film locations in Scotland

The most notable film locations in Scotland that you can put on your Scotland itinerary are:

Glenfinnian Viaduct – see the Jacobite Steam Train above

For a day trip from Edinburgh with a trip on the Hogwarts Express (The Jacobite Steam train) – click here .

Loch Shiel and Loch Morar – used as the Hogwarts lakes.

Glencoe – the beautiful scenery around Glencoe was used in many scenes.

For a day trip from Glasgow taking in the Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe and Mallaig – click here .

For a 2 day trip from Edinburgh taking in the Highlands and the Hogwarts Express – click here .

The stunning Scottish Highlands

16. Visit the Harry Potter film locations in Oxford

Oxford University is also an important filming location for the Harry Potter series, most notably the Bodleian Libraries (one of the oldest libraries in Europe), New College and Christ Church.

You can read more on the Harry Potter filming locations in Oxford here .

Oxford is easy to reach on a day trip from London by train and you can do a self-guided walking tour or there are also also several guided tours you can take.

For a Harry Potter Guided Tour of Oxford – click here .

For a guided tour of the Harry Potter filming locations at Oxford University – click here .

For a small group tour of the Warner Bros studios in London combined with a tour of Oxford – click here .

Oxford University

17. Visit Alnwick Castle

Alnwick Castle, one of the most impressive castles in England , is also know as Harry Potter Castle. Much of the Philosopher’s Stone and the Chamber of Secrets was filmed on location at Alnwick Castle.

The Outer Bailey is where Harry and his friends learned to fly broomsticks and play Quidditch. Harry and Ron also crash landed their car in the Inner Bailey where much of the general goings about was filmed.

Address: Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 1NQ.

Alnwick Castle in Northumberland

18. Visit Gloucester Cathedral

The magnificent Gloucester Cathedral cloisters were used for the filming of the Hogwarts’ corridors in the Philosopher’s Stone and the Chamber of Secrets.

You can visit the cathedral from 10 am to 5 pm Monday to Saturday and from 12 pm to 5 pm on Sundays.

Address: 12 College Green, Gloucester, GL1 2LX.

Gloucester Cathedral Cloisters | Photo Credit: Michael D Beckwith

19. Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience

Arley Hall & Gardens is home to the Forbidden Forest Experience, a nighttime woodland trail with magical creatures and sound and light effects that bring the Wizarding World to life.

Tickets : Adult from £24.00 and Child from £19.00. You can buy your Forbidden Forest experience tickets here .

Address : Arley Hall and Gardens, Arley, Northwich, Cheshire, CW9 6NA.

Harry Potter Accommodation

If you would like to stay overnight in Harry Potter themed accommodation, here are a few suggestions for you.

20. Harry Potter overnight experiences

North Shire in North Yorkshire offers Harry Potter themed accommodation (as well as Hobbit accommodation). check out their Gryffindor Common Room dorm or the Groundkeeper’s Cottage.

The Enchantment Chamber is a one bedroom, wizard themed apartment in the centre of York.

Georgian House Hotel – with faux castle detail and stained glass windows in London

DeVere House – Godrick’s Hollow where Harry Potter’s parents were murdered by Voldemort is actually a beautiful cottage in Lavenham and you can book through Airbnb.

Canongate Luxury Homestay – a beautifully decorated room in a home in the centre of Edinburgh

Also of significance…

The Balmoral – this is where J.K. Rowling would stay when she was writing the final book in the series.

The St Pancras Renaissance Hotel – the entrance of the hotel was used as the entrance to the station in the Philosopher’s Stone.

See also Harry Potter breaks with National Holidays.

The Georgian House Hotel in London | Photo Credit: The Georgian House Hotel

Virtual Harry Potter experiences

21. try some virtual harry potter experiences during lockdown.

If you aren’t able to visit any of these experiences in person, there are a few virtual Harry Potter experiences to keep you entertained until you can.

Harry Potter at Home

Hogwarts Digital  Escape Room

Harry Potter Fan Club

Ever wanted to know the answer to the question ‘What Harry Potter house am I?’ Join the Harry Potter fan club and you can have a go at the Harry Potter sorting hat quiz. Harry Potter house quiz

Our favourite Harry Potter gifts for kids

Harry Potter Dobble – this is one of our favourite travel gifts for kids . We take ours everywhere with us and it provides hours of entertainment!

The same can be said for Harry Potter Top Trumps . It’s nice and small and easy to take out with us. Here are some other ideas:

Harry Potter wand

Harry Potter chess set

Harry Potter lego

Harry Potter Nintendo Switch

And if they haven’t already got them, don’t forget the Harry Potter books and movies.

Harry Potter book set

Harry Potter DVD box set

Or see here for more Harry Potter themed gifts .

Map of Harry Potter Experiences in the UK

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Harry Potter Theme Park England

Harry Potter Theme Park England, known as the Warner Bros Studio Tour London, is one of the world’s most popular attractions for Harry Potter fans! Step into the world of witches and wizards and go behind the scenes to see how the 8 Harry Potter movies were made. Highlights of a visit include riding a broomstick, standing on platform 9 ¾ and getting onboard Hogwarts Express! This is an amazing day out for all family members and the Harry Potter Theme Park England is one of the most popular attractions for visitors to London. We offer awesome Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio tours departing daily from Central London that also includes pickup and transfer to the studio!

Discover a world of Harry Potter and book tickets today ! Tickets can be collected directed at the Studio Tour or taken with transportation from Central London.

Top tip: If you cannot find tickets on your travel dates, please check out our useful last-minute guide for finding tickets.

Harry Potter Theme park england:

The Harry Potter Theme Park England, known as the Warner Bros Studio Tour London is one of the most popular places to visit in England! A typical visit takes around 3 hours and highlights include:

• Go behind the scenes with awesome sets that bring the movies to life
• Ride a broomstick like in the movies!
• Enter the forbidden forest and see Buckbeak, Hippogriff and more…
• Admire the authentic props and costumes that were used in the films
• Visit the Great Hall, Diagon Alley and the Chamber of Secrets
• Stand on platform 9 ¾ and take a photo infront of the luggage trolley
• See the incredibly detailed model of Hogwarts Castle, used to create amazing shots of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft
• Hop onboard the Hogwarts Express for the ultimate Harry Potter experience

The Great Hall: Home to some of the most famous Harry Potter Scenes. You’ll get to see the place that was used in Yule Ball and the Battle of Hogwarts. On display are the costumes of students for Hogwarts House plus the teacher’s table.

Forbidden Forest: Enter the Forbidden Forest! Used partially or fully in the filming of most of the movies. The set has 19 trees, each over 14 feet width!

Platform 3¾: Stand on Platform 3¾ and see the Hogwarts Express – whilst most of the films used the location at Kings Cross Station in London, some of the shots were also filmed on the platform at the Warner Bros Studio.

Diagon Alley: Have a walk around Diagon Alley and see Gringotts Bank, Flourish and Blotts, Mr Mulpepper’s Apothecary and Ollivanders wand shop

Potions: See over 900 potion jars!

Professor Umbridge’s Office: The pink office in the Ministry of Magic, featuring Professor Umbridge collection of plates and moving kittens

See the incredible costumes used for playing Quidditch, 300 costumes for the Yule Ball and the Beauxbatons.

Specials & Visual Effects:

See some of the special and visual effects in the films including the (real!) Chamber of Secrets Door, invisibility cloak, whomping willow & green screen. Also learn how certain creatures were brought to life onscreen including Basilisk, Buckbeak, Goblin Heads and Aragog.

How to get tickets:

The Harry Potter Theme Park England (known as Warner Bros Studio Tour London) is located outside of North London. We offer two main tours, each includes transportation from Central London and an entrance ticket to the Harry Potter Warner Bros Studios.

Our first tour departs from London Victoria Coach Station and is available with five regular departures every day. You’ll travel to the Harry Potter Theme Park England on luxury transportation and you’ll have over 3 hours to explore the studios before returning to Central London. This is the most convenient way of travelling to this incredible world of Harry Potter from Central London. Victoria Coach Station is a major transportation hub, and the train station located next door is serviced by the Circle and District and Victoria underground lines. This means that you can reach it from most parts of London. Once you’ve boarded the coach, we’ll take you directly to the studios, and the journey normally takes around 1 hour. You’ll then have at least 3 hours to work around the Studio yourselves, ride a broomstick, check out the awesome displays and take in this awesome Harry Potter experience!

guided tour:

Our second tour is the only fully guided tour of the making of Harry Potter. We depart from Central London via train from Euston Station. Euston Station is one of London’s major train stations and is on the Northern and Victoria underground. You’ll be greeted at the station by a tour representative who will give you your tickets and accompany you on the train to Watford Junction Station. At Watford Junction, you’ll then take a short bus journey to the studios. On arrival at the Warner Bros Studio Tour London, you’ll get to go behind-the-scenes and discover some of the amazing techniques that went into the making of the Harry Potter films. This is a fully guided tour with an extremely knowledgeable tour guide, meaning you’ll get to discover lots of things you never knew! In fact, this is the only fully guided tour into the world of Harry Potter with transportation included from Central London and is highly recommended for the most serious Harry Potter fans.

Once the fully guided tour is complete, you’ll then have the option to reenter the Studio by yourself. Alternatively, you could check out the awesome Harry Potter souvenir shop or head to the cafe! Why not try a butterbeer? More details about this fully guided tour , with daily departures from Central London.

Last Minute Tickets:

Tickets to the Harry Potter Warner Bros studio tour get sold out really quickly! If you are having trouble finding last minute tickets then check out our ticket finder page , where we’ve compiled a list of the best places to look to find a ticket, along with the Warner Bros Studio Website. If you are still unable to find a ticket, you can also contact us. In the event that a last minute ticket becomes available our expert team will get back to you immediately.

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Take A Trip To An Iconic Harry Potter Filming Location At This Castle In England

Posted: November 16, 2023 | Last updated: November 16, 2023

If the  Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is home to witches and wizards, then Alnwick Castle is a muggle's enchanted palace. Tucked away in Northumberland on the North Sea coastline, the castle's external walls are a celebrated icon of the "Harry Potter" series. 

The first two "Harry Potter" movies — "The Philosopher's Stone" and "The Chamber of Secrets" — feature Alnwick Castle as the exterior for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. While the fortress became famous through its appearances in "Harry Potter," it has also starred in several other acclaimed films. "Downton Abbey" and "Transformers: The Last Knight" are just a few examples of cinematic masterpieces showcasing the castle's grandeur architecture. 

While Alnwick Castle is a sight pleasing to the eye on screen, it's also acted as a family home since 1309. The Percy family set their sights on the castle over 700 years ago and purchased it as a traditional Norman-style castle. Over the next 40 years, the castle was fashioned into a powerful stronghold, accented with towers and guerites. Stone figures were added as embellishments in the 18th century, adopting architectural styles traditional during the Age of Enlightenment. In the years to come, the fortress was transformed into a high gothic castle  — a pleasing feat of architecture for the 1st Duchess — and later an Italianate palazzo in the Victorian age. Today, after restoration of the original masonry, it operates as the residing home of the Percy family.

Read more: 28 Bucket List Destinations That Everyone Needs To Experience At Least Once

Behind The Scenes Of Filming Hogwarts

Despite the colossal size of Alnwick Castle's walls, only a select few scenes were shot and filmed on the enchanted grounds. The Outer Bailey might also be nicknamed "Quidditch square," as Alnwick's outer enclosures set the stage for Harry's first flying lesson with Madam Hooch, and later Harry's first lesson on quidditch from Oliver.  

The inner courtyards were featured in a montage of scenes highlighting everyday aspects of student's lives at Hogwarts, from after-class studying to discussions of the latest plot against "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named." Alnwick's Inner Bailey was also the site where Ron and Harry crashed the Weasley's flying car into the castle during "The Chamber of Secrets." Framed by an intricate assemblage of stone slates, Alnwick's Lion Arch was a recurring passageway for filming students entering or leaving the castle. Most often, the arch was selected for scenes preceding trips to Hagrid's cabin or into the Forbidden Forest.

Bringing Hogwarts To Life In The United Kingdom

Alnwick Castle is one of the most renowned landmarks in the behind-the-scenes world of "Harry Potter," despite the crew filming in several other locations across the United Kingdom's dramatic landscapes. Alnwick is not the only castle to star as the famous Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The Durham and Gloucester Cathedrals also played parts as the saga's magical castle. The interior of Durham Cathedral sets the stage for Professor McGonnogal's classroom, and the church's corridors are recognizable in the wintery scene where Harry releases Hedwig into the snow during the first film. Several cloisters inside Gloucester Cathedral were transformed into Gryffindor Common rooms, the entryway into the Chamber of Secrets, and the corridor where Snape makes his Unbreakable Vow.

The village of Lacock in the charming English countryside of Wiltshire  is also home to several filming locations used throughout the movie series. Both Snape and Quirrel's classrooms were filmed in select rooms inside the walls of the 13th-century Lacock Abbey . The Chapter House Room of Lacock Abbey is particularly special, as it was the filming location for the scene where Harry first discovers the Mirror of Erised. Make your way to the end of Church Street in Lacock, and you'll stumble across the house belonging to Harry's parents.

Read the original article on Explore .

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Harry Potter places to visit in the UK

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If you’re a huge Harry Potter fan like me, then you’ll know that there is no greater thrill than being in one of the places where the movies were made! I’m lucky enough to live close to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando and I love strolling through Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, but it is an even more amazing experience to see where the films were actually created!

The majority of the harry potter filming locations are in the uk, and this guide covers the best harry potter places to visit for the ultimate fan, where exactly you can find them, and which movies they were featured in., harry potter places to visit in london.

While there are a lot of Harry Potter filming locations in London, most of them are really easy to miss because they just don’t look like they did in the movies! Either they were decorated or painted a certain way for the films, or CGI was added to change how things look, or it’s just been a while since filming took places they’ve changed. It’s still pretty cool to see some of them though!

Harry Potter fans will know that Harry left for school on the Hogwarts Express from King’s Cross Station, and the station is easily accessible for those who want to go and have a look – there’s even a photo op where you can pretend to run through the wall onto Platform 9 3/4! There’s also a Harry Potter gift shop in the station.

What Harry Potter fans might not know, however, is that when you see outside shots of what is supposed to be King’s Cross Station, you’re actually looking at a totally different station altogether! The exterior shots are of St Pancras Station, which is a much prettier station from the outside.

You can mainly see this in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets when Harry and Ron steal Mr Weasley’s flying Ford Anglia to get to school.

A Harry Potter filming location in London that should be pretty recognizable once you spot it is Millennium Bridge, which is destroyed by the Death Eaters in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

In the movie, the bridge bends and twists as the Death Eaters fly past it, but in real life it’s a very pleasant walk, with a beautiful view of St Paul’s Cathedral from the middle.

Another easily recognizable Harry Potter filming location in London is Claremont Square, which is used in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix as the exterior shot for Number 12 Grimmauld Place. This is instantly recognizable from the outside since it looks pretty much exactly the same as it did in the movies!

One of those spots that would be easy to miss is Leadenhall Market, an undercover market that held the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

This entrance looks very little like it did in the film and can be hard to spot; within the market itself, look for a side street called Bull’s Head Passage and you can find the doorway there, although there is a perfectly ordinary shop there instead of a Wizarding Pub!

One final location that I wouldn’t necessarily go out of my way for – but is still a pretty cool spot if you happen to walk by – is Australia House, which is the filming location for Gringotts Bank. The interior shots of Gringotts were filmed here, however since it’s a government building, you can’t go inside to look around.

It is a pretty building from the outside and it’s a cool place to see, but since you can’t go in, I wouldn’t make a special trip there. Don’t worry however – there are other places on the list where you can see inside Gringotts!

The Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden

Leavesden Studios should be high up on any Harry Potter fan’s list as Harry Potter places to visit when visiting the London area since it’s home to the Harry Potter Studio Tour, one of the most thorough and incredible tours I’ve ever been on!

If this is somewhere you think you might be interested in visiting on your trip then STOP reading this right now, and book your tickets since they sell out pretty far in advance! Once you’ve done that however, then keep reading!

The Harry Potter Studio Tour is an epic tour that can easily take a whole day to complete, but could also be done in a few hours if you’re pressed for time.

Indoor scenes include The Great Hall, the Gryffindor Common Room, the Potion’s Classroom, Dumbledore’s Office, and Hagrid’s Hut, as well as multiple rooms featuring props, costumes, and special effects. You can also go outside and see the Knight Bus, as well as standing outside Number 4 Privet Drive, and even standing on Hogwarts Bridge!

The highlights for me including walking through Diagon Alley at the end of the tour (including walking past Weasley’s Wizarding Wheezes and Ollivanders Wand shop!) and the incredible scale model of Hogwarts you will pass before you head out. There is a large gift shop where you can spend your Muggle money on pretty much every kind of Harry Potter souvenir imaginable!

Getting to the studios isn’t all that easy; despite it’s name, the studios aren’t actually in London city center and you’ll need to take the train from the city to Watford Junction and catch the shuttle bus. This isn’t the easiest journey in the world, especially if you’re not familiar with London transport, so give yourself plenty of time to get there.

I would suggest booking one of the earliest tours of the day if you know you want to spend as much time as possible exploring the studio, and leave at least an hour to get there and back.

Harry Potter places to visit in Gloucester

One of the most recognizable places to visit for any Harry Potter fan will be Gloucester Cathedral, which was used for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, including the scene where the words “The Chamber of Secrets has been opened! Enemies of the heir beware!” were written on the wall.

The interior of the cathedral will look incredibly familiar to Harry Potter fans, and a visit to the cathedral is a must if you want to pretend you’re walking through Hogwarts!

Harry Potter places to visit in Oxford

Oxford , or more specifically, the University of Oxford was not only one of the filming locations for a number of scenes from the Harry Potter movies, but it also inspired several other sets that went on to be recreated at the film studios.

Most notably, The Hall at Christ Church College was the inspiration for The Great Hall at Hogwarts, and the two are almost identical; you can see the interpretation the film makers came up with on the Harry Potter Studio Tour.

Actual filming locations include Duke Humfrey’s Library, which was the used as the Hogwarts library in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone when Harry tried out his invisibility cloak for the first time, and the Divinity School, which was used as the Hogwarts infirmary in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone where Dumbledore visits Harry after his encounter with Professor Quirrell at the end of the movie.

Both of these filming locations are found at the Bodleian Library, which has a guided tour available if you want to see these locations for yourself. New College at the University of Oxford was also used in various scenes in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Harry Potter places to visit in Scotland

Considering Hogwarts Castle is located in Scotland, then this has to be on your list of Harry Potter places to visit!

My favorite of all the Harry Potter filming locations to visit is the Glenfinnian Viaduct, otherwise known as the Harry Potter bridge. This is the bridge that’s part of the stunning overhead shot of the Hogwarts Express in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

The viaduct is not far from another Harry Potter filming location; Loch Schiel, which was where the contestants had completed their second Triwizard Tournament in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

There are other lochs that were used in filming of the Harry Potter movies, including Loch Arkaig, which was used as the lake that Harry, Ron, and Hermione were dropped into after they escaped Gringotts on the back of the dragon, and Loch Etive is where the trio were camped out when they were on the run and Ron was jealous of Harry and Hermione working on the Horcrux without him.

Just south of the Scottish border (technically in England, but not too far from Edinburgh if you happen to be in that area) you can find Alnwick Castle, which was the filming location for many of the exterior Hogwarts shots in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, including when Harry is learning to play Quidditch with Oliver Wood, and where he has his first flying lesson (where poor Neville falls off his broom!)

Not far from there is also Goathland Train Station, which was used for the filming of Hogsmeade Train Station in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, both when the students arrive at Hogwarts for the first time, and when Hagrid is waving Harry off at the end of his first year and gives him the photos of his parents (a scene that always makes me cry!)

Which is your favorite of the Harry Potter places to visit in the UK?

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11 top Harry Potter places to visit in the UK

What better way to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter than to visit the places that inspired J.K. Rowling.

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It’s hard to believe that everybody’s favourite wizard, Harry Potter, has been with us for 20 years. June 26 marked the 20th anniversary of the publication of J.K. Rowling’s first Potter adventure, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone .

What better way to celebrate and banish the Dementors than visit the places that inspired Rowling - and those that wouldn’t exist but for her brilliant imagination.

1. JOIN A TOUR FOR MUGGLES

Start your journey on foot in London, with the popular walking trip Tour For Muggles. This 2½-hour guided tour is led by actors who are all huge Potter fans and can even perform magic tricks. They show you a mix of filming locations such as Leadenhall Market, which is the site of the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron, as well as historical facts and places that inspired Rowling, such as the real Diagon and Knockturn alleys.

There are surprises planned for the 20th anniversary. Tours are £14 ($A24) for adults and £12 for children.

tourformuggles.com

2. HARRY POTTER: A HISTORY OF MAGIC AT THE BRITISH LIBRARY

To celebrate the anniversary, The British Library in London’s King’s Cross is putting on a special exhibition of magic and folklore. They are unveiling rare books and objects from their collection, such as the enormous 16th-century Ripley Scroll that explains how to create a Philosopher’s Stone. There are also original drafts by J.K. Rowling and illustrations by Jim Kay on display for the first time. The exhibition runs from October 20 to February 28, 2018.

Tickets are £16 for adults and £8 for kids.

3. VISIT PLATFORM 9¾ AT KING’S CROSS STATION

While you’re in the area, pop in to King’s Cross Station, which recently had an impressive $870,000 renovation. The station may have been rebuilt, but platform 9¾ is still there – well, technically a trolley disappearing into the wall, which makes for a great photo opportunity.

And while you can’t really catch the Hogwarts Express from here, there’s a fun new Harry Potter shop for souvenirs.

harrypotterplatform934.com

4. SEE HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD

Potter fans will love the play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre in London’s West End. Critics raved about the show and said it more than lives up to its hype, with The Times declaring it “the magical marvel we’ve been waiting for”.

It is running until July 2018 and tickets start at £42.50, but beware, the play is in two parts so you need to visit – and pay – twice. Book early as seats sell out fast.

harrypottertheplay.com

5. DISCOVER THE HOUSE OF MINALIMA

In Soho, Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima, the designers behind the movie artworks of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them , are showcasing their magical designs in a free exhibition. Held in a quirky four-floor house, there are artworks and props on display and a shop where you can buy reproductions of your favourite pieces.

store.minalima.com

6. TAKE A WARNER BROS STUDIO TOUR

In Leavesden, near Watford, you can step into the world of Harry Potter for real – or the film sets at least, with the brilliant Warner Bros Studio tour.

Walk around the sets, including the Great Hall, Diagon Alley, Dumbledore’s office and the Gryffindor common room, catch the Hogwarts Express , see how the special effects were done and check out the props and costumes. Tickets cost £39 an adult and £31 a child.

wbstudiotour.co.uk

7. STAY IN OXFORD UNIVERSITY

Heading out of London, your first stop should be Oxford – the university was used for several filming locations, such as Christ Church College’s Great Hall and staircase in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone , as well its famous Bodleian Library which starred as the Hogwarts library and infirmary.

For a unique experience, you can even stay in the university itself during the summer holidays. Book a room in Christ Church for only £56 a night, and you get to have breakfast in the Great Hall, just like Harry.

universityrooms.com

8. SPOOK YOURSELF IN GLOUCESTER CATHEDRAL

This incredible cathedral has been a place of worship for 1300 years, its walls echoing with voices of its Anglo-Saxon past.

Now, it’s also a pilgrimage for Harry Potter fans who flock to see the cloisters used for many movie scenes such as the troll-trapping Hermione and Moaning Myrtle flooding the toilets. It is also where the words “The chamber of secrets has been opened” appeared in blood.

Entry is free.

gloucestercathedral.org.uk

9. FLY A BROOMSTICK AT ALNWICK CASTLE

Heading up north to the county of Northumberland, you’ll find Hogwarts, aka Alnwick Castle. Used in the movies for outdoor scenes like the broomstick flying lessons and Quidditch matches, the 700-year-old castle now offers broomstick lessons for all the family. They also run spooky cellar tours, dragon and knight’s quests for those getting into the spirit.

Pre-booked tickets cost £13.95 for adults and £7.20 for children.

alnwickcastle.com

10. WALK THE CLOISTERS IN DURHAM CATHEDRAL

In Durham, the spectacular cathedral was also used as a filming location for the Harry Potter movies. Set on a rock above the medieval city and next to Durham Castle, the Norman cathedral is a World Heritage Site.

The cloisters became the quadrangle where Harry sets the owl flying in the first film and the scene of Ron’s slug vomiting in the Chamber of Secrets and the cathedral chapter house is the venue for Professor McGonagall’s class.

Entry is free, but there is a ticketed Open Treasure tour, £7.50 for adults and £2.50 per child.

durhamcathedral.co.uk

CATCH THE HOGWARTS EXPRESS

Finally, up in the Scottish Highlands, you can catch the Hogwarts Express – or as close as you can get. In summer, The Jacobite steam train runs along the West Highland line – the train used in the Harry Potter movies.

It travels over the breathtaking Glenfinnan Viaduct, the scene with the Weasleys’ flying car in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets .

Dubbed the greatest railway journey in the world, this 135km round-trip starts near the highest mountain in Britain, Ben Nevis, and ends next to the deepest seawater loch in Europe, Loch Nevis.

Tickets £35 for adults and £20 for kids.

westcoastrailways.co.uk

Kerry Parnell is a features writer for The Sunday Telegraph. Formerly the Head of Lifestyle, she now writes about a wide range of topics, from news features to fashion and beauty, health, travel, popular culture and celebrity as well as a weekly opinion column.

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Harry Potter Filming Locations in England: A Full List!

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Looking for a full list of Harry Potter filming locations in England? This post is for you! Read on for a detailed list of Harry Potter places you can visit and see for yourself in England.

If you’re a mad Potterhead looking to travel to England to see ALLLL the places used for filming the movies, then this guide is for you.

We’ve sacrificed ourselves to re-watch the movies multiple times and hunted down all the filming locations so that you can see the REAL LIFE (sort of) locations where many of the most memorable scenes were created.

For this guide, we’re focusing on the places in England you can visit, but make sure you also read our other post on Harry Potter filming locations in Scotland!

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Harry Potter Filming Locations in London

You’ve got to start your Harry Potter pilgrimage in London since so many of the most famous scenes were created here.

Even many moments that were set in Hogwarts were actually filmed on location in London.

It’s also perfect if you don’t have too much time to travel further since you can see so many of these spots in the one (albeit rather large) city. London definitely makes the perfect trip for a Harry Potter fan, now let’s check out some locations.

The Actual Harry Potter Set at the Warner Bros Studio Tour

If you only had time to visit ONE Harry Potter filming location, we’d have to say go to the Warner Bros Studio Tour.

This is where you can experience many of the actual sets that were created for the movies, which means sitting in the Great Hall, hanging out in the Gryffindor common room, or peering into Snape’s creepy dungeon classroom.

The studio tour also has many props, costumes and concept artwork on display, including a huge Hogwarts model that will completely blow your mind.

Besides that, ou can pose for photos on Hagrid’s motorbike, drink butterbeer and even ride on a broomstick for the most magical photo ever.

The Bridge that the Death Eaters Destroy

Real-life location in england: the millennium bridge.

In that opening scene in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince where the death eaters fly through London and leave behind a path of destruction, the Millennium Bridge is the one they destroy.

Linking up the Tate Modern on one side and St. Paul’s Cathedral on the other, the bridge is luckily perfectly fine in real life, and definitely worth a walk over if you’re in London.

The Bridge the Knight Bus Crosses

Real-life location in england: lambeth bridge.

In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Harry rides the crazy purple double-decker Knight Bus for the first time.

Remember that scene at the start when it’s whizzing across a bridge and has to squeeze itself in between two red double-decker buses?

Well the bridge in question is Lambeth Bridge.

You can walk across this bridge as a pedestrian and it’s also a pretty spot to get photos of the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben.

The Reptile House at London Zoo

One of the most iconic moments in the Harry Potter franchise is when Harry accidentally releases a huge Burmese python from the zoo and inadvertently terrifies his cousin Dudley.

Well, this scene in the very first movie was filmed at the real-life reptile house in London Zoo, so you can totally visit it for yourself, as well as all the other cool animals.

The Entrance to the Leaky Cauldron

Real-life location in england: leadenhall market.

In the Philosopher’s Stone, you can see the famous covered Leadenhall Market in the scene where Harry and Hagrid are heading to the Leaky Cauldron to enter Diagon Alley.

You can even visit the little side street and the shop front where they actually enter the Leaky Cauldron, although in real life it’s an optometrist store.

Another Entrance to the Leaky Cauldron

Real-life location in england: borough market.

In the Prisoner of Azkaban the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron magically moves, well, it’s filmed at a different location.

This time Harry gets off the Knight Bus at the corner of Stoney Street between Park & Southwark at Borough Market.

It doesn’t look particularly like the entrance to a wizarding pub now, but Borough is a must-visit for anyone who likes all sorts of delicious food!

Gringotts Bank

Real-life location in england: australia house.

If you want to see the exterior of the wizarding bank Gringott’s, then you’ll need to head to the studio tour, but did you know that the interior shots from the first movie were filmed inside Australia House AKA the Australian embassy in London?

You can’t actually go inside here just for a visit unless you have some official Australian government business, so maybe don’t go out of your way to see this one.

Westminster Tube Station

King’s Cross might be the more famous London train station in the Harry Potter universe, but don’t forget that on the day Arthur Weasley escorted Harry to the Ministry of Magic for his hearing in Order of the Phoenix , they used the tube like real muggles!

They go through Westminster station, where Arthur is suitably flummoxed by the ticket machines.

This is also the station you want to disembark at if you’re going to see Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.

The Ministry of Magic

Real-life location in england: the intersection of great scotland yard and scotland place.

After Harry and Arthur leave Westminster station they enter the Ministry of Magic via a red phone booth.

In real life, there isn’t a phone booth here, but it was filmed at the intersection between Great Scotland Yard and Scotland Place.

This spot also features in Deathly Hallows Part 1 when Harry, Ron and Hermione knock out and steal hairs from Ministry employees so they can infiltrate the Ministry to find the pendant Horcrux that Umbridge is wearing.

King’s Cross Station (as itself)

Is any other train station more known for Harry Potter than King’s Cross in London? Pretty much every Harry Potter film features at least one scene of the golden trio arriving or leaving from Platform 9 3/4.

While muggles like us won’t be able to access the magical platform and board the Hogwart’s Express, you can pause for a photo opp and pretend you’re about to go through the wall at the fake Platform 9 3/4 which is set up with a half-vanished trolley going through the wall.

Just arrive early as there’s always a big line here!

Where the Ford Anglia Takes Off

Real-life location in england: st. pancras station.

When Harry and Ron find themselves stranded at King’s Cross in Chamber of Secrets , they decide to use the Weasley’s flying car to get to school instead (let’s skip over the fact that they could have just waited at the car for Mr and Mrs Weasley to come back).

King’s Cross and St. Pancras stations are connected, but it was the gorgeous St. Pancras facade used for filming as they flew that Ford Anglia up above London and onwards to Hogwarts.

The Charms Classroom

Real-life location in england: harrow school.

Who can forget those immortal lines from Hermione, “It’s levi-OH-sa, not levio-SAH”?!

This scene in the charms classroom was actually filmed in the real-life Fourth Form room of Harrow School, located just a little outside of London.

Today you can book tours to see this filming location, make sure you also keep an eye on the panelled walls where former students (like Winston Churchill) carved their signatures!

12 Grimmauld Place

Real-life location in england: 23-29 claremont square.

In the books and films, Number 12 Grimmauld Place is located in the London borough of Islington, so it’s quite fitting that the film-makers also shot there! Exterior shots of Sirius’s house (and the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix) were filmed at 23-29 Claremont Square, which really is only a short walk from King’s Cross Station.

London City Hall

This location was briefly seen in the opening of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince , in the shots where Death Eaters are terrorizing citizens of London, you can see some businesspeople looking out the windows of London’s City Hall.

This is an unusually shaped building, with a really cool helical shaped interior staircase.

You can only visit certain parts of City Hall at certain times, so check the website if you’re planning to go.

Trafalgar Square

During the opening scene of Half-Blood Prince , the Death Eaters fly through a very fast tour of London, where you get glimpses of Trafalgar Square as well as Charing Cross Road, Leicester Square Tube Station and then an alley which brings them to Diagon Alley. 

Trafalgar Square is one of the highlights of London, located out the front of the National Gallery and dominated by the huge column with a statue of Admiral Nelson on top, surrounded by four lions on the ground.

The Entrance to Diagon Alley

Real-life location in england: 12 great newport street.

After the above scene, those Death Eaters arrive at 12 Great Newport Street, where you can see them whoosh through the wall to enter to Diagon Alley.

There’s a gate barring your entry here in real life, but you can still visit the spot for a photo.

Surbiton Railway Station

In the opening of Half-Blood Prince , we see Harry sitting at a train station cafe before meeting up with Dumbledore.

This scene was filmed at Surbiton Railway Station, so you can visit it yourself, although it’s not that exciting in real life, to be honest.

Piccadilly Circus

Another famous London spot that appears in the films is Piccadilly Circus, where Harry, Ron and Hermione apparate to after Bill and Fleur’s wedding is crashed by those pesky Death Eaters.

The trio almost gets run over by a red double-decker bus when they first materialise in front of the GAP store, then hurry down nearby Shaftesbury Avenue.

The Divination Tower Stairwell

Real-life location in england: st paul’s cathedral staircase.

Here’s a little known fact about this famous cathedral and Harry Potter – one of St. Paul’s stairwells was actually used in filming as the stairs to the Divination Tower in Prisoner of Azkaban and then again in Goblet of Fire as the stairs to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. S

St. Paul’s is also a great place to visit for incredible views over London, once you climb up about a million stairs (just pretend you’re heading to divination)!

Hermione’s House

Real-life location in england: 9 heathgate hampstead garden.

Remember that sad scene at the beginning of Deathly Hallows Part 1 when Hermione obliviates her parents into forgetting she existed before leaving her home to join the hunt for Horcruxes?

Well, after some super-sleuthing, we can reveal that the house where the exterior shots were filmed is located at number 9 Heathgate, Hampstead Garden.

So you can visit it if you want to, you know, stand outside someone’s home taking photos like a stalker…

The Ministry of Magic Gentleman’s Toilet

Real-life location in england: horse guards avenue & whitehall.

One last location from London, in Deathly Hallows Part 1 when the golden trio sneaks into the Ministry of Magic via flushing themselves down toilets – this was filmed at the intersection of Horse Guards Avenue and Whitehall.

There are no actual public toilets located there in real life, but we get a glimpse in the film of the surrounding scenery, so you will recognise the spot.

Harry Potter Filming Locations in Oxford

The city of Oxford is most well-known for its renowned university, but the whole place is gorgeous and kinda feels like you’re skipping along a giant Harry Potter set. Here are some locations that were used in filming, or just as inspiration for set-design.

The Great Hall and the Stairs Leading To It

Real-life location in england: christ church college.

Let’s clarify one thing: while the Great Hall from all the Harry Potter movies is actually a set (you can see it on the Warner Bros Studio Tour), it’s well known that this hall in Oxford heavily inspired the film set design.

“The Hall” (as it’s known at Christ Church College) is basically a spitting image of the Great Hall we’ve seen in all the films, just a little bit smaller and minus the floating candles.

The stairs leading up to the Hall also appear in the first two films, the Philosopher’s Stone and the Chamber of Secrets. 

While Christ Church College is a working university, you can still visit for a small fee, and if you’re there outside meal-times you can wander into the dining hall as well.

The Hogwarts Library

Real-life location in england: duke humfrey’s library at the bodleian library.

Duke Humfrey’s Library is the oldest reading room in Oxford and one of the oldest in Europe, making it a fitting choice to stand in for the stunning Hogwart’s Library.

This is where Harry first takes the invisibility cloak for a spin in the Philosopher’s Stone, where we often see Ron, Hermione and Harry studying, and, of course, the epic moment when Hermione hits Harry over the head with a book for being flippant about being ‘The Chosen One’.

You can visit the library on a guided tour, and even combine it with a tour of the Divinity School (see the next section).

The Hogwarts Infirmary

Real-life location in england: divinity school at the bodleian library.

We see the characters of Harry Potter in the Hogwarts infirmary a few times, since people seem to get injured quite a lot!

In Chamber of Secrets , Harry spends the night here regrowing arm bones after the inept Gilderoy Lockhart turns them to rubber and if you were surprised to see such a STUNNING school infirmary, we’re right there with you!

This gorgeous Gothic vaulted room is actually the Divinity School at the Bodleian Library.

Hermione is also seen recuperating here after halfway turning into a cat from taking Polyjuice Potion during Chamber of Secrets , and it also made a reappearance as the room in Goblet of Fire where McGonagall is teaching everyone how to dance prior to the Yule Ball.

Don’t ask why they’re having dancing lessons in the infirmary…

Where Malfoy Gets Turned into a Ferret

Real-life location in england: new college, oxford.

One of the best moments of the Harry Potter franchise has got to be when Professor Moody turned Draco Malfoy into a ferret, flew him around and even put him down Crabbe’s pants!

If you ever wondered where that excellent scene was filmed, it was at the New College in Oxford. This is where you see Harry walking past the students wearing ‘Potter Stinks badges’ after his name was spat out by the Goblet of Fire and Malfoy taunts him while sitting in a giant tree.

You can visit New College for £4-£5 between 10.30am-5pm from Easter to October, and between 2pm-4pm from October to Easter.

Other Harry Potter Filming Sites in England

A Harry Potter England tour would not be complete unless we mention the other amazing Harry Potter filming locations you can visit in England.

Besides London and Oxford, here are some more Harry Potter locations in England you shouldn’t miss:

4 Privet Drive

Real-life location in england: 12 picket post cl, winksfield row, bracknell.

For the majority of the Harry Potter movies, a set was built for 4 Privet Drive (which you can visit at the Warner Brothers Studio Tour).

That being said, in the very first Harry Potter movie (presumably when the budget was lower), they instead used the house on 12 Picket Close in Bracknell in place of the fictitious Little Whinging residence of Mr and Mrs Dursley.

Hogsmeade Station

Real-life location in england: goathland station.

If you’ve dreamed of seeing the Harry Potter train station in real life, then head over to Goathland Station.

This is where they filmed two of the most epic scenes from the first film – all the students getting off the Hogwarts Express for THE FIRST TIME at the beginning and of course, the end scene of Philosopher’s Stone when Hagrid is waving goodbye.

Real-Life Locations in England: Gloucester Cathedral, Alnwick Castle, Durham Cathedral and Lacock Abbey

Ok, so quite a lot of places in England were used to film shots for the interior and exterior of Hogwarts itself.

Early in the series, many interior shots for Hogwarts were filmed at Gloucester Cathedral .

Most notably, during the troll scenes in Philosopher’s Stone , when Harry and Ron break off to look for Hermione, and in Chamber of Secrets when the bloody words first appear and they find Filch’s petrified cat.

Durham Cathedral is where you’ll find Professor McGonagall’s Transfiguration classroom, which was filmed in the cathedral’s Chapter House.

It was also used for several Hogwarts ‘quad’ scenes, like when Harry lets Hedwig go in the snow during Philosopher’s Stone,  and that scene in  Chamber of Secrets when Ron’s slug-belching spell backfires on him.

If you’re looking to see where many exterior shots of Hogwarts were filmed, head over to Alnwick Castle , which is doable as a day trip from Edinburgh.

A LOT of outdoor Hogwarts scenes were filmed here, like that scene in the first film when Madam Hooch is teaching the first-years how to fly on broomsticks, and also when Oliver Wood teaches Harry how to play Quidditch.

Many of the shots that involve the students walking around outside Hogwarts like when they’re walking to Hagrid’s Hut or detention in the Forbidden Fores, were also filmed at Alnwick Castle.

They hold regular fun events at the castle through the year, including broomstick training!

The adorable town of Lacock was used for filming in quite a few of the Harry Potter films, and Lacock Abbey was used for many interior scenes of Hogwarts during the first two films.

You’ll find filming locations like Snape’s Potions classroom, Professor Quirrell’s classroom, the Hogwarts Study Hall, a few different corridors, and the room where Harry finds the Mirror of Erised.

Horace Slughorn’s Hideaway in Budleigh Babberton

Real-life location in england: lacock.

In  Half-Blood Prince , when Dumbledore meets Harry at the station, he brings him to where Horace Slughorn is hiding out in the charming village of Budleigh Babberton, which was filmed in the town of Lacock.

You can even find it on Google Maps as “Horace Slughorn’s Hideaway”!

The Forbidden Forest

Real-life location in england: black park, buckinghamshire.

Most of the Forbidden Forest scenes in the movies were filmed on a specially built set, except for the first film because it was more affordable to just film on location.

Black Park in Buckinghamshire was chosen to do the honours, and it’s very pretty park to visit for a wander around. Unfortunately you probably won’t see any unicorns or centaurs, but fortunately, you won’t see any giant talking spiders either!

Black Park was later used in Goblet of Fire  when Hagrid brings Harry to see the dragons before the first Triwizard Challenge and promptly forgets about him to flirt with Madame Maxime!

The Lake Besides Hogwarts

Real-life location in england: virginia water lake.

There were a few different real-life lakes used for filming the Great Lake at Hogwarts, one of which was Virginia Water Lake.

You might recognize it from Prisoner of Azkaban when Harry flies over it on Buckbeak, then later finally casts a corporeal Patronus at the dementors. It’s also seen during the second Triwizard Cup challenge in Goblet of Fire , and for a few other scenes in that film.

Real-Life Location in England: Chesil Beach, Dorset

So, obviously, the crazy crooked building of the Burrow was created using CGI and the interior scenes were filmed on set, but the backdrop for the Burrow’s location was filmed by a march near Chesil Beach in Dorset.

Apparently it seemed remote and flat enough to showcase the impossible structure of the Weasley’s home.

The Forest Near the Burrow

Real-life location in england: ashridge estate, hertfordshire.

In Goblet of Fire , Harry again stays with the Weasleys at the burrow before they head off to the Quidditch World Cup, which requires an early morning walk through the forest to find the portkey.

These scenes, including our very first glimpse of Cedric Diggory, were filmed on Ashridge Estate.

Incidentally, this forest is an incredible place to visit during autumn to see the leaves changing colour and perhaps glimpse the resident deer!

The Campsite for the Quidditch World Cup

Real-life location in england: the seven sisters cliffs, sussex.

After they all grab onto the manky old boot, the gang (plus Cedric and his dad) land on the ground with the Seven Sisters Cliffs clearly in the background.

Of course, they all turn their backs on the beautiful real-life scenery in order to rush off to the real excitement, the Quidditch World Cup!

Apparently, the specific spot where they land is a field near the Coastguard Cottages in Cuckmere Haven.

Flashback Hogwarts

Real-life location in england: blenheim palace, oxfordshire.

In Order of the Phoenix, we see the flashback scene where Snape’s worst memory seems to confirm that James Potter was actually a bit of a bullying toe-rag.

The scene where he and Sirius hold Snap upside down beside a tree was filmed at the beautiful Blenheim Palace.

This palace is also famous for being the birthplace of Winston Churchill, so definitely worth a visit.

Malfoy Manor

Real-life location in england: hardwick hall.

If you’re secretly a Draco fangirl you can get your fix by visiting his fictional home – Hardwick Hall!

Scenes at Malfoy Manor were filmed here, although some CGI was added to make the manor look a bit more spooky and spiky.

The hall is owned by the National Trust so you can visit and even explore the interior. There aren’t any albino peacocks wandering around, but we can’t have everything.

Godric’s Hollow

Real-life location in england: lavenham.

Godric’s Hollow, the birthplace of both Harry Potter and Dumbledore, as well as Godric Gryffindor! Scenes in Godric’s Hollow were filmed in the adorable village of Lavenham in Suffolk.

While none of the stars actually filmed here (they were added into shots using CGI), it’s still worth visiting to see the adorably crooked half-timbered Tudor style buildings and, of course, the house Harry lived in with his parents before Voldemort came along.

Kristy Brandt

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