From the cupboard under the stairs to the great halls of Hogwarts, the wizarding world of ‘Harry Potter’ feels like a fantastical place filled with magic and wonder. But many fans might be surprised to know that they don’t need to apparate or ride the Hogwarts Express to visit many iconic ‘Harry Potter’ film locations.
Scatter across the United Kingdom are various recognizable landmarks and landscapes that served as backdrops to bring J.K Rowling’s magical stories to life onscreen. As a diehard ‘Potterhead’, seeing these real film sites in person is a dream come true.
So grab your wand, hop on your broomstick and use this handy guide to navigate yourself to the top sights where ‘Harry Potter’ was filmed. Just be sure to abide by the International Statute of Secrecy while you’re there.
Alnwick Castle – Hogwarts Exterior
The sheer majesty of this medieval castle makes it easy to see why it was chosen to portray the exterior of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for the first two ‘Harry Potter’ films. Towering turrets, stone archways and emerald green landscapes surround Alnwick Castle located in Northumberland, evoking the same magical atmosphere.
Visitors can sign up for broomstick lessons, just like Harry did for his first flying class with Madam Hooch. The Alnwick Castle grounds also served as a backdrop for the iconic first flying lesson scene. Tour the outer castle courtyard where the famous “it’s levi-o-sa, not levio-saa” scene between Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger was filmed.
Gloucester Cathedral – Hogwarts Corridors
With its soaring pillars and candlelit chandeliers, Gloucester Cathedral is every inch as magnificent on the inside as Hogwarts Castle. Harry Potter fans will instantly recognize its cloistered corridors as the setting where the scene of Harry releasing Hedwig in the first movie was filmed.
The cathedral’s exquisite fan-vaulted ceiling also served as inspiration for the enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall where candles seem to float against a backdrop of a night sky. Beyond just the famous movie sets, visitors can also see exhibits of costumes and props from the Harry Potter films.
King’s Cross Station – Platform 9 3⁄4
To enter the wizarding world, first you must simply walk through a seemingly solid brick wall between platforms 9 and 10 at King’s Cross railway station in London. This real-life destination draws scores of excited ‘Harry Potter’ fans who want to recreate the iconic scene of pushing their cart through the magical barrier that leads to Platform 9 3⁄4 and the Hogwarts Express.
Visitors can pose with half a luggage trolley that seems embedded into the brick wall, along with a hanging sign for Platform 9 3/4 photo opp. Make sure to sport a red and gold Gryffindor scarf for maximum magical effect in your photos at this London spot. Just remember muggles can’t actually board any trains to Hogwarts here.
Christ Church – Hogwarts Hall & Staircase
As one of the oldest college buildings in Oxford University, Christ Church comes with grand timbered ceilings, stone columns and cobblestone floors that look straight out of Hogwarts’ hallowed halls. Scenes featuring the grand staircase and corridors leading to the Great Hall entrance were shot here for the first movie when Harry gets his first look at the wondrous wizard school.
Visitors can also view the actual costumes worn by characters like professors Dumbledore and McGonagall encased behind glass. Walk through the impressive dining hall and see if you get sorted into Gryffindor at the Harry Potter attraction inside. Fun fact – even before the movie, Lewis Carroll based his Alice in Wonderland book here which has a magical feel all on its own.
Lacock Village – Godric’s Hollow
With its quaint cottages and charming churchyard cemetery, Lacock village served perfectly as Godric’s Hollow where Harry’s parents lived and were buried. Located in Wiltshire, visitors can walk past cottages like the one where Harry was born and his memorial statue stands, as seen in the Deathly Hallows.
Other landmarks include the picturesque St. Cyriac’s church and its graveyard where Harry’s parents’ headstone still stands today for photo ops. Wander around the medieval village that looks frozen in time, floo powder not needed. Make sure to also grab butterbeer and cauldron cakes from the onsite Harry Potter themed cafe and shop selling merch.
Australia House – Gringotts Bank
While Gringotts Wizarding Bank operated by goblins was created purely through movie magic, Australia House served as its exterior. Catch a glimpse of the same marble facade and imposing columns that the Golden Trio strode through in the first film to reach the goblin tellers and vaults.
Located right near Trafalgar Square, the Australia House building in London typically serves as the Australian High Commission and consulate. Visitors can snap photos on its grand staircases that look just like the steps Harry, Ron and Hermione walked down from the bank. Just be careful not to upset any visiting goblins while you’re there!
Goathland Village – Hogsmeade Station
Many scenes showing the exterior of Hogsmeade Village station and streetscapes were actually filmed in the picture-perfect village of Goathland in North Yorkshire Moors National Park. Its old-world railway station building and cottages brimming with flowers fit perfectly as the all-wizard settlement near Hogwarts.
Visitors can walk down the main street past Goathland post office to see shops like Zonko’s Joke Shop and Honeydukes Sweetshop, both labeled as such for the movies. Be sure to snap cute selfies with the Hogsmeade station sign authentically used for filming too. Insider tip: Goathland village inspired author J.K. Rowling herself to describe Hogsmeade and create certain scenes.
London Zoo – Harry’s Zoo Escape
In the first ‘Harry Potter’ book and film, Harry accidentally vanished the glass at a snake enclosure to have a chat with the reptile at a zoo, which turned out to be the London Zoo. Visit the famous zoological garden and try to spot the iconic Reptile House where the memorable snake scene was shot.
While the zoo keepers likely won’t let you instigate chats with any snakes, visitors can still check out the huge Reptile House containing exotic snakes, lizards, turtles and crocodiles on display. The lush outdoor animal enclosures within this expansive park are also beautiful backdrops for photos to remember your London ‘Harry Potter’ pilgrimage.
Scottish Highlands – Hogwarts Express Rail Journey
The scenic train journey that Harry takes through mountains and lochs aboard the Hogwarts Express enroute to Hogwarts was filmed along the West Highland Railway Line. Hop aboard the Jacobite steam train that runs along this very same stretch through the remote Scottish Highlands from Fort William to Mallaig harbour.
Watch rolling green valleys and hills unfolding outside your window, crossed by shimmering streams and lakes mirroring the sky – the same magical landscape shown in the movies. You’ll recognize Glenfinnan Viaduct’s 21 towering arches as the bridge the train crosses, which also has an onsite exhibit for ‘Harry Potter’ fans.
Virginia Water Lake – Harry & Buckbeak’s Flight
Tucked away in Windsor Great Park lies the man-made Virginia Water Lake which formed the perfect backdrop for Harry’s first ride on the hippogriff Buckbeak. Remember the exhilarating scene where he soars over a crystal lake backed by lush green tree canopies? Well visitors can recreate it to some extent by renting rowboats on Virginia Waters today!
The freshwater lake also has walking paths all around should you prefer to stay grounded and simply snap photos of the iconic ‘Prisoner of Azkaban’ setting instead. Fun challenge: try spotting the tottering old tree Buckbeak landed on, which should still be partially visible emerging from the lake.
Leadenhall Market – Diagon Alley & Leaky Cauldron
Once an actual Victorian-era market, the enclosed Leadenhall Market area with its cobbled lanes and colorful storefronts was used in the first Harry Potter film when Hagrid takes Harry shopping in Diagon Alley behind the Leaky Cauldron pub. Movie fans will instantly recognize the iconic market crossroads and its glass ceiling today.
Visit shops and stores lining the interior streets just like in the magical wizard shopping district, albeit selling modern wares and treats instead of wands and potion bottles. Be sure to snap photos outside the opticians shop where the entrance scene to Diagon Alley was shot, still labeled in honor of Harry Potter’s legacy there.
Reptile House at London Zoo – Harry’s Zoo Escape
In the first ‘Harry Potter’ book and film, Harry accidentally vanished the glass at a snake enclosure to have a chat with the reptile at a zoo, which turned out to be the London Zoo. Visit the famous zoological garden and try to spot the iconic Reptile House where the memorable snake scene was shot.
While the zoo keepers likely won’t let you instigate chats with any snakes, visitors can still check out the huge Reptile House containing exotic snakes, lizards, turtles and crocodiles on display. The lush outdoor animal enclosures within this expansive park are also beautiful backdrops for photos to remember your London ‘Harry Potter’ pilgrimage.
Durham Cathedral – Hogwarts Interior Scenes
Many interior scenes showing stairwells, corridors and classrooms of Hogwarts School were filmed within the hallowed Durham Cathedral in England. As the country’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site ever designated, this vast Romanesque cathedral oozes old world grandeur perfect for a medieval magical school.
Tall arched windows bathe cavernous chambers in ethereal light while elaborate pillars and vaulted ceilings evoke castle aesthetics. Visitors can participate in Harry Potter themed tours and activities like kids’ broomstick or wand making classes within this impressive 1000 year old setting. Look for iconic architectural elements like the cloister featured in ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ too.
The Making of Harry Potter Studio Tour
No Harry Potter pilgrimage is complete without visiting The Making of Harry Potter studio tour, which offers the most immersive behind-the-scenes experience. Located near London, these Warner Brothers studios house authentic sets, props, costumes and special effects exhibits giving you a front row view of movie making magic.
Walk down Diagon Alley, have butterbeer at the backlot pub or play Quidditch yourself. Enter majestic sets like the Great Hall, Dumbledore’s office, Hagrid’s hut and the iconic Gryffindor common room and boys’ dormitory. See iconic props like the Sorting Hat and costumes upclose, as well as original handwritten scripts and blueprints. It’s a dream come true for a Harry Potter fan.
Immerse Yourself in Movie Magic
By venturing across Britain to the diverse filming sites of the Harry Potter movies, fans can literally step into their favorite fantasy world. Make your own magical memories while admiring the gorgeous backdrops that brought Hogwarts, Diagon Alley and other fictional places described in J.K. Rowling’s books to life.
Whether you wish to sip butterbeer beside Potter’s gravestone, play Quidditch at Alnwick Castle or simply create photo ops alongside the Hogwarts Express – these iconic landmarks promise to make every Potterhead’s dreams come true!
So trust in the magic and use Accio spell to summon yourself to these top sights where Harry Potter was filmed. Just remember there’s more wonder in the real world if you simply know where to look.
