Stop Thirteen Piccadilly Circus
Address: West End, London W1J 9HP
Piccadilly Circus is terrifying enough at the best of times. The thronging crowds and neon lights are a recipe of things guaranteed to set your teeth on edge.
Well, imagine how stressful it would be if you apparated there only to be nearly hit by a bus and then chased by Death Eaters trying to kill you.
Sound familiar? Thats exactly what happens to Harry, Hermoine and Ron in the Deathly Hallows Part I.
They apparate into the bright lights and buzzy atmosphere of Piccadilly Circus and go into a cafe where they have a wizarding fight with two death eaters.
Swing by Piccadilly Circus, but keep your eyes open you never know whos on your tail.
Watch the Scene: The Ministry has Fallen and the Escape to London
12 minute walk from Piccadilly Circus to Great Scotland Yard.
Turn from Piccadilly Circus and walk east onto Coventry Street. Turn right onto Haymarket and walk straight for 300 metres. Cross Pall Mall and bear left onto Cockspur Street and continue for 200 metres. At the roundabout, walk across to Whitehall, continue along Whitehall for 150 metres and cross the road to enter Great Scotland Yard. The filming location is on the right.
Where Is The Harry Potter Studio Tour
The Harry Potter Studio Tour takes place in the Warner Bros. Studio, which is found in Leavesden, England. This is around 20 miles northwest of London.
The Warner Bros. Studio is a fully working film studio, one of the largest in the UK, and many films have been shot here, including the whole Harry Potter franchise as well as some of the Star Wars, Batman, and Mission: Impossible films.
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 , 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 .
For a guided tour of the Harry Potter filming locations at Oxford University .
For a small group tour of the Warner Bros studios in London combined with a tour of Oxford .
Oxford University
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Cutter And Sqidge The Harry Potter Afternoon Tea In London
It should be clear by now that there are a lot of Harry Potter-inspired experiences in London. But few are going to appeal to your stomach as much as the rather delicious Harry Potter afternoon tea at Cutter and Squidge. London does a jolly good afternoon tea at the best of times but when you add in a few drinkable and edible potions, it gets so much better.
Pick The Guides Brains
No, not literally. The guides in the Warner Bros studios take Harry Potter fandom to. another. level. You will bow in the face of their superior and all out geeky knowledge of the things on the set.
I totally encourage you to sidle up to one and ask a really niche question about a tiny piece of the set buried in the back of a scene, then watch as *poof* all their magical knowledge comes out. Its BEAUTIFUL.
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Londons Ultimate Harry Potter Tour
In addition to visiting some of Londons top Harry Potter sites, this Airbnb experience wanders the London streets to end at the House of MinaLima. If youre not familiar, thats the design house that produced a lot of the iconic imagery including the Daily Prophet typography and all the Weaslys Wizarding Wheezes packaging that we now consider the iconic in the magical world.
Hosts Amy, Zoë, and Tom will help you explore some new London and Harry Potter sights with this one!
Harry Potter Private Family & Kids Walking Tour
Follow along Harry Potters footsteps with your family on a fascinating walking tour led by a private guide.
This trip begins on Platform 9¾ at Kings Cross Station, where you will meet your guide, who will then take over the tour.
This two-hour trip is offered in three languages: English, Spanish, and French.
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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 filmsor both, its the only right way to do itevery 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.
How Long Do You Need For The Harry Potter Studios Tour
It took us about 3.5 hours to go through the tour. You could easily stay longer, especially if you get the digital guides.
I would say allow for at least four hours. They do allow for that amount of time with their last ticket allocation entry time before closing. Once you enter the studios, you arent on a time limit so can stay as long as you like!
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What Should You Expect On Harry Potter Free Tours
Free Harry Potter tours offer plenty of magical moments without needing to pay for the reservation of the tour. An expert guide is on hand to take you through the world of Muggle London as you discover the real-life counterparts of the magical locations on the big screen. Highlights include Ministry of Magic , Geometrical Staircase , Muggle Prime Ministers Office , and many more.
Stop Nine Australia House
Address: Strand, London WC2B 4LA
Time to withdraw your galleons for which youll need to head to Australia House, which doubles up as Gringotts in the film series.
It might have been the inside of Australia House that was used as an actual filming location but take a close look at the outside of the building as it clearly influenced the design of the bank used in the film .
The triangular shape and imposing architecture of both is no coincidence.
It is indeed the wizarding bank, just missing a few bells and whistles.
Australia House is the longest continually-occupied diplomatic mission in the United Kingdom the exterior was built with marble shipped from Australia.
Inside, its no less striking no wonder the makers wanted to use it as a filming location for the series.
Unfortunately, youre not allowed to enter the building.
If youre doing this tour on a weekday, you may be able to poke your head inside to see a snippet of the stately interior that serves as Gringotts in both Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone and as the backdrop to the trios antics in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II.
Still, its not quite the same as it was the Exhibition Hall rather than the lobby that was used in the films anyway.
Imagine row after row of goblins tapping, calculating and keeping themselves busy around the large Exhibition Hall and voila, you have Gringotts.
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Other Events You Might Like
The Harry Potter Photographic Exhibition Every day Harry Potter fans can see film photos and ride a broomstick over London with green-screen technology
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child JK Rowlings 8th Story 14 Oct 2021 to 30 Jul 2023 A new Harry Potter story by JK Rowling which catches up with Harry and his son later in life
Wizards Walk Harry Potter Walking Tour 8 Jan to 30 Dec 2022 Walk in the footsteps of JK Rowling’s Harry Potter and see some of the famous locations from the books and movies
Harry Potter Interactive Tour & Boat Cruise Every day Explore the magical locations from the Harry Potter movies on land and then enjoy a boat trip down the river
Still looking for something to do? Find out and
Harry Potter Studio Opening Times
You will definitely want to check the website for up-to-date opening times, but generally throughout the year the studio is open from 8.30am through to 10pm. More specifically:
- Doors open at 8.30am
- First tour starts at 9am
- Final tour starts at 6.30pm
- Studio closes at 10pm
These times do vary by day. In terms of dates, the Studio is open every day of the week. There are some exceptions, it is closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day .
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Best Harry Potter Tours In London
If you fancy leaving reality for a few hours and indulging in one of the best Harry Potter tours in London, who are we to argue? In fact, we think its a great idea and have put together a list of the best places to go on a wizardry extravaganza across the capital of England.
From first-hand studio experiences to free tours and everything in between, this is your comprehensive guide to the best Harry Potter tours in London.
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, youll 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 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
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Diagon Alley At Cecil Court London
Similar to Cecil Court, Goodwin Court is another location that is said to have inspired Diagon Alley in Harry Potter. Cecil Court has the same higgledy-piggledy, twisted appearance of everyones favourite magical street.
How to get to Goodwin Court:
This charming passageway can be found between Covent Garden and Leicester Square, just off St Martins Lane.
Harry Potter Tours From London
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- Free cancellation
- 4 hours to 1 day
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Stop Seven Millennium Bridge
Address: Thames Embankment, London SE1 9JE
Now were on to the Millennium Bridge which you should walk over .
I think that we can all agree that those Death Eaters are a right nasty lot.
Its a pretty bad sign of things to come for poor muggle London when they destroy the Millennium Bridge in Harry Potter & The Half Blood Prince plunging all the people walking along it into the Thames.
Perhaps dont think about that too much while youre walking over the bridge though.
The name might be a bit of a giveaway, but the Millenium Bridge was built to commemorate the millennium in London.
Things didnt quite go to plan though when the bridge opened in the year 2000, it became the object of ridicule because it wobbled so much that it was deemed structurally unsound and it knocked over a fair few pedestrians as they tried to cross it in the process).
To cut a long story short, it had to close for another two years while they tweaked it to make it safe for public use.
Like Tower Bridge and London Bridge, the Millennium Bridge first makes its appearance in in Harry Potter & The Order of the Phoenix when Harry flies through London to Grimmauld Place.
But its really the scene of the Death Eaters striking the Millennium Bridge and causing it to fall and rip apart, toppling pedestrians into the river that really sticks with you.
Its a chilling start to the film and a sure sign that things are getting out of hand.
It cant be true !
Explore The World Of Harry Potter With Us
We know that you will find magic when you travel to London and a muggle Harry Potter tour could be a highlight of your vacation for Harry Potter aficionados, but its just one of many phenomenal attraction that London offers. To find out more about London, read our travel guide at London Perfect for more things to do and how to plan your vacation. Check with Vacation Perfect for the most beautiful vacation rentals for you and your family. Get in touch with us either on our website or call 1-888-520-2087 to learn about renting a vacation apartment in London.
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Where To Buy Harry Potter Studio Tour Tickets
If you are making your own way to the Harry Potter studios, you have to buy your ticket in advance from the official website. You cannot turn up without a ticket, and tickets are not for sale on site.
Tickets go on sale well in advance, but despite the site having capacity for up to 6,000 people a day, they tend to sell out far in advance, so you will want to plan as far ahead as possible.
The summer months, weekends, and school holidays are the busiest days of the year for the Studio so we recommend that you book as far in advance as you can if you are visiting over those periods.
Weekdays often have better availability, so if you are flexible, look at different days of the week to maximise your chances of getting a ticket.
Tickets are for timed entry, which helps the studios manage visitor numbers throughout the day. Whilst there is no limit to how long you can stay after you enter, you do need to enter the attraction at the time you book. There is a little bit of flexibility in this, but its best not to show up hours later than your time to avoid disappointment.
The WB Studios Tour folks recommend you arrive at the site at least 20 minutes before your ticket time so you can go through the security checks.
If you cant buy a ticket from the official site, dont worry, you still have lots of options.
Deluxe Tours can be booked directly with the Studios, subject to availability, on the official site here.
Choosing The Best Harry Potter Tours London
Since there are quite a few Harry Potter tours, London available in the market, it is important that you choose one that meets all your necessities. Headout offers a variety of Harry Potter tours that are hassle-free and convenient.
You can choose between Warner Bros. Studio tours and Harry Potter film locations guided tours, depending on your area of interest. As you consider all the attractions in London and plan your days of exploring, here is a list of Harry Potter tours that you can consider.
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How To Get To Warner Bros Studios London
On the train from Shepherds Bush Station
The nearest railway station to the Studio Tour is Watford Junction. Direct train services arrive there from both London Euston and Birmingham New Street .
Dont fear if you are not on a direct line. Getting around London is easy. Get the tube to the nearest train line to take you to Watford Junction. Just allow for extra time. You can use Google Maps or the TFL Go app to help you plan your route.
We caught the TFL Rail out to the Harry Potter Studios from Shepherds Bush Station.
You can use your oyster card/contact less card if traveling through London zones 1-9.
As part of your ticket, there is a shuttle bus from Watford Junction to the Studio Tour. It takes about 15 minutes and they run at least every 30 minutes.
What If There Are No Tickets Available
Wipe your tears muggles! Wizards dont cry, they get to work finding a solution. Wave that wand. The luck you seek may be found hidden with a tour group company.
The tour group ticketing system is a little different so you may get lucky with some spare tickets. Its a good last-minute option. It will mean youll be venturing with a group, and it may be slightly more expensive. Some of them may even include transport. . Check tour availability here.
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Walk Over The Millennium Bridge
Address: Thames Embankment, London, United Kingdom
But hang on tight! The infamous bridge that we see twisting and turning in the sixth Harry Potter film, the Half-Blood Prince, is all sturdy now.
Walk the bridge across the River Thames and take in all the wonderful views of London.
At the end of the bridge is the Tate Modern, an art gallery with international works plus a cafe with panoramic views of River Thames.
Youll also find plenty of pubs and eateries to ease a woozy stomach if the bridge does start to swayor twist.
Address: 23-29 Claremont square, London N1 9LX, United Kingdom
Just a short walk from Platform 9 ¾ is the safe house for the Order of the Phoenix: Number 12 Grimmauld Place. The houses you are looking for are 23-29 Claremont Square. Youll quickly recognize their exterior from the Harry Potter films: Order of the Phoenix and Deathly Hallows Part 1.
Located among a row of houses, Grimmauld Place is as unsuspecting as the films made it look. Walk quietly, though. We dont want the Death Eaters to come knocking.