If you’re a fan of the Harry Potter series like I am, you have to travel to the United Kingdom. I’ve been in London for two of the movie premieres and made special trips just to track down landmarks from the movies. And while there are even more filming locations throughout England and Scotland that I haven’t visited, here are just a few that are easily accessible for travelers visiting England (plus one extra in Ireland).
For more Harry Potter locations, including ones in Scotland, check out my friend Amanda’s post. And for the extensive list of Harry Potter filming locations, check out this Buzzfeed list.
Harry Potter Filming Locations
Kings Cross Station, London
Perhaps the most well-known landmark for Harry Potter fans is Kings Cross Station. It was here that Harry and his friends went to Platform 9 3/4 to catch the train to Hogwarts in each film, but originally in The Sorcerer’s Stone. Today visitors can take pictures of their own, which is actually between platforms 4 and 5.
The station is open from 5 am to 1 am daily. There’s also a Harry Potter-themed store at Kings Cross.
Australia House, London
Australian High Commission, known as Australia House, serves as the filming location for Gringotts Wizarding Bank in all the movies, specifically the exhibition hall.
Since Australia House is a working embassy, not just anyone can walk up and explore. It’s only accessible for Australian citizens and those traveling to Australia.
London Zoo Reptile House, London
In The Sorcerer’s Stone, Harry discovers his ability to speak to snakes at the Reptile House of the London Zoo. There’s no longer a snake in that specific habitat, but there is a sign denoting where the scene took place. It’s not surprising that this part can get pretty crowded when school groups and fans come by to take pictures.
The London Zoo is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm. Tickets start at £22.50 for adults and £16.65 for children.
Duke Humfrey’s Library, Oxford
The oldest part of the Bodleian Library is Duke Humfrey’s Library, named for one of its benefactors. The library played the Hogwarts library in all of the films and is home to pre-1600s books. Photos are not allowed inside the library and very strict rules were followed for filming.
Only students with reading cards are allowed into Duke Humfrey’s Library but no one, even royalty, is allowed to check out books. Visitors can see the library on a tour, which run Monday to Saturday from 10:30 am and Sunday from 11:30 am. Tickets start at £7.
Divinity School, Oxford
The Divinity School at Oxford University has an iconic gothic webbed ceiling with large glass windows on both sides. It was used as both the infirmary in all films and where the Gryffindor class took dance lessons before the Yule Ball in Goblet of Fire.
Also a part of the Bodleian Library tour, The Divinity School is also available for visits on its own for only £1.
Christ Church College, Oxford
Located in the most popular for visitors among Oxford’s colleges, the staircase near the entrance of Christ Church was used in many scenes throughout the years. Most memorably were the flashback scenes with Tom Riddle in The Chamber of Secrets. Today you’ll find them jammed with tourists following a tour guide with a flag, all stopping at each stair to take photos.
The college is open daily for tours and entry starts at £7, depending on the season and school schedule. Guided tours start at £13.
Millennium Bridge, London
The beginning of The Half Blood Prince begins with a scene where Death Eaters blow up the Millennium Bridge, throwing Muggles to the river below. The footbridge was opened in 2000 and connects two sides of the Thames.
You can access the bridge on one side by the Tate Modern and on the other by Saint Paul’s Cathedral.
And one extra for good measure!
Cliffs of Moher, County Clare, Ireland
When Harry and Dumbledore go after Voldemort’s Horcruxes in The Half Blood Prince, they visit a sea cave set at the Cliffs of Moher.
Tours leave from Galway daily or you can stay in nearby Doolin.
Perfect timing! I leave for England in less than 2 weeks, and already booked my day trip to Oxford.
It’s great, Kelsey! I was pleasantly surprised with Oxford.
I have been to Durham Cathedral and Alnwick Castle so far, very beatiful places to visit. Platform 9 3/4 is very high on my list.
Sounds like you’ve been to some good spots as well, Stef!
I love these! I’ve been to Oxford before and my friend goes to New College so was able to take me around for free and they filmed some of Goblet of Fire there.
New College is one I didn’t get to visit but wish I had, Rebecca!
To be honest I refused to watch the movies after the first couple because I preferred to keep how the world as how it looked in my imagination, but the scenes from Oxford look like they must have been beautiful!
I love this post! I have been rereading all of the books and am planning a HP movie binge once I am done. It is very cool seeing some of these places the way they look in real life.
Wow!! those places look amazingggg! I have to say that im realllyyyyy, realllyyyyy jealous right now. I’ve been a potter fan since forever. hopefully, i could get to travel and go to those amazing places too! lovely post & i followed you on bloglovin!!
Thanks, Celine!