Travelling to the UK offers Potterheads the chance to follow Harry Potter’s footsteps and explore the real-world filming locations that brought J.K. Rowling’s fantasy realm to life. Both in London and beyond, a thrilling experience awaits. Walk down familiar streets where iconic scenes were filmed or stand on spots that were once graced by actors playing your favourite characters.
Starting in London
London is the gateway to the Wizarding World, and it makes sense for travellers to the UK to make this their first stop. The city played a significant role in the beloved movie series and served as the backdrop for many famous scenes and locations.
For Americans eager to embark on this journey, there’s never been a better time. You can find flights to London from many major US cities, and making use of a booking platform is the best way to identify cheap flights. eDreams uses sophisticated software to scan hundreds of different airlines and tens of thousands of different flight routes to find the most suitable flights for this kind of trip, not just to London’s Heathrow, but also to Gatwick, Luton, and Stansted.
As well as being a convenient first stop, keen-eyed Harry Potter fans will immediately begin to notice things they recognise. As you head towards central London, you’ll be reminded of the skyline that served as a backdrop for many a Quidditch match and broomstick flight. This will serve as the perfect preview before you even make it to your accommodation, and you’ll be ready to dive into some more specific locations.
London’s Key Locations
The first location in England’s famous and bustling capital to check out is the iconic Harry Potter Studio Tour at Warner Bros, a bit outside of central London in Leavesden. Here, you’ll find everything from detailed sets and costumes to props used in the films, as well as a peek behind the scenes of what went into production.
Moving on from the studio, now make your way into central London and hop aboard at King’s Cross Station. This is home to Platform 9¾, the place where Harry started many of his adventures at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Head south from King’s Cross Station, and in about 20 minutes, you’ll be at the Millennium Bridge. Although it wasn’t destroyed as portrayed in the movies, the bridge offers stunning views of the River Thames, a recurring location in the series.
From here, a walk through the London streets will bring you to Leadenhall Market. To Potter fans, you may better recognise this location as Diagon Alley. This Victorian-covered market served as the inspiration for one of Harry Potter’s most captivating locations. Beyond being an important filming location, this is one of the oldest markets in London and dates all the way back to the 14th century.
One other Wizarding World location to consider is the Palace Theatre. While not a filming location, this is the home of ‘The Cursed Child’. Prepare for an entertaining experience centred around Harry Potter later on in life, now all grown up and overworked as a Ministry employee.
Magic Beyond the Capital
After exploring London’s many Harry Potter locations, it’s time to spread your wings and check out some other filming locations across the United Kingdom. Your first stop to consider is Goathland Station in North Yorkshire. As you step onto its platform, you’ll feel as if you’ve boarded the Hogwarts Express itself. Not just famous for being featured in Harry Potter, this station also holds a significant place in British railway history.
Another location to consider is Freshwater West Beach in Wales. It may seem peaceful now, but this location was where the important defining events from “The Deathly Hallows” were filmed. There are even tours that you can go on at this location, where visitors can visit Dobby’s final resting place.
Heading back to England, no Harry Potter tour would be complete without a visit to the historic halls of Oxford University. Not only were there multiple pivotal Oxford locations in the movies, but it’s also the oldest university in the English-speaking world. It dates all the way back to the 11th century, making it an extremely important place beyond the Wizarding World.
The UK is the perfect place to bring Harry Potter’s magic to life. Step into those stories and immerse yourself in the many different parts of the UK that contributed to the Wizarding World’s enormous success today.
Mountains, trails, paddleboards – if it’s outdoors, I’m probably obsessed with it! As an Outdoor Adventure and Travel Editor, I’m always seeking my next escapade. Through my blog, I share adventure stories, mountain-tested advice, healthy food inspiration, and training tips.
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