The Kings Cross Harry Potter Shop At Platform 9 3/4
The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9¾ was the first ever Harry Potter shop to open outside of a themed attraction in the world.
The opening ceremony featured Warwick Davis who played Professor Flitwick and Griphook in the films!
Since then, there have been many magical shops opened worldwide and even a Harry Potter shop at Heathrow Terminal 5.
The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 3/4
Its the perfect place for witches and wizards to explore. Youll find plushies of your favourite magical creatures, Hogwarts House robes for every house, a huge wand shop, and treats like Chocolate Frogs straight from Honeydukes!
But, the most famous attraction here has to be the Platform 9 3/4 sign where you can get your very own photo with a luggage trolley.
Important Muggle Announcement: You dont need a train ticket to visit the Kings Cross Harry Potter Shop or Platform 9 3/4 in London! The shop and trolley are located outside of the ticketed platforms.
Well take the lot!
Why Not Visit The Harry Potter Studio Tour
If youre planning on visiting the Harry Potter Studio Tour in London on your visit, you may want to avoid these big queues at Kings Cross Station!
The Making of Harry Potter has the exact same Platform 9 3/4 trolley photo opportunity and it has far fewer crowds. In fact, most of the time you dont have to wait at all.
There are three trolleys in a row and so you can spend a lot more time getting your photo with the Platform 9 3/4 sign.
The Warner Brothers Studio Tour is a must-visit for any Harry Potter fan visiting London and is easily accessible in Watford. You can easily take the Harry Potter bus over there from London Euston Station.
If you can, I would highly recommend planning a visit around one of their special events like the Dark Arts or Hogwarts in the Snow.
Platform 9 3/4 at the Harry Potter Studio Tour
/10 The Ministry Stands By To Handle Any Slip
Even with this incredibly smart plan, the crowds that populate Platform Nine and Three-Quarters tend to make tiny errors, unnoticeable to themselves, but potentially posing a serious threat of discovery.
For example, accidentally revealing magical textbooks or materials, making too much noise while crossing the platform barrier, and so on. Therefore, the government appoints certain employees on the six aforementioned days to provide some last-minute memory fixing, if required.
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Platform 9 3/4 Printable Sign
Printables from Paper Trail Design are for personal use only.
Heres our final product of the DIY Harry Potter Platform 9 3/4! We taped some pennies to the bottom to keep it from flying around in the wind too much.
If you dont want to go to all of this effort you can just buy this . It is plenty big and much easier.
One of my other favorites from this party was shopping around for Harry Potter merchandise. These Hermione time turner and deathly hallows necklaces are so fun!
Platform 9 3/4 Trolley Photo London
Just outside of the Kings Cross Harry Potter Shop, youll find the famous Platform 9 3/4 sign with a luggage trolley underneath it!
Here, you can take a photo that looks like youre travelling through the wall to the Hogwarts Express to start your school year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Its a must-visit for Potterheads while in London and you can get some professional souvenir photos taken of you which is a nice momento of the occasion!
Once you get your chance, youll be able to pick your Hogwarts House scarf and pick up a wand to pose with.
The staff will help you create some magic and make you look like youre transporting out of the Muggle realm to the Wizarding World.
I would definitely advise getting here as early as you can to queue for photos as this shop sees over 2 million visitors every year. So, you could be waiting over an hour during peak times.
The Platform 9 3/4 Trolley Photo at Kings Cross Station
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/10 The Barrier Is Not Immune To Elf Magic
The entryway to the special platform is by means of a barrier between Platforms 9 and 10, through which travelers can pass in order to get from King’s Cross Station to the Hogwarts Express.
As such, this space has been imbued with a vast array of complex spells that prevent it from being easily uncovered or damaged in any way. This rule clearly does not apply to House-elves, however, as evidenced by how Dobby effortlessly manages to block Harry from making it to the train on time.
Personalised Slytherin Triwizard Shirt
£35.95
Show your loyalty and celebrate your house pride with this bespoke Slytherin Triwizard Shirt. The long-sleeved shirt comes in the traditional house colour of emerald green which is combined with black stripes. The iconic Hogwarts crest is embroidered onto the left-hand side of the shirt which is made up of the symbolic Hogwarts house animals a lion for Gryffindor, a serpent for Slytherin, a badger for Hufflepuff and an eagle for Ravenclaw.
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How To Find Platform 9 3/4 At Kings Cross Station
Although 9 3/4 isnt a real platform, Potterheads will be excited to know that Kings Cross Station in London is very much real.
Its one of the busiest train stations in the city that sees over 90 million Muggles travel through it each year !
Here, you can visit the inspiration for the books and some of the filming locations from Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone and other movies.
The filming location for Platform 9 3/4 at Kings Cross Station can be found on an archway between platforms 4 & 5. But, theres not much more to see here than that.
The best place to capture a photo of Platform 9 3/4 is the official Harry Potter Shop!
The Harry Potter filming location can be found between platforms 4 & 5!
Places To Eat And Drink
If youre visiting with kids, there are lots of great family-friendly restaurants within walking distance. German Gymnasium, Vinoteca, Drake & Morgan, Dishoom, Happy Face Pizza and Plaza Pastor at Coal Drops Yard all have childrens menus. Here is the listing of our favourite family-friendly eateries at Kings Cross. to see the full listing of restaurants, bars and cafes in the neighbourhood.
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What Is Harry Potters Platform 9 3/4
Harry Potter fans will need no introduction to what Platform 9 3/4 is but if you havent heard , Ill let you in on a little secret that Muggles dont know.
Each year witches and wizards attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and to get there they take the Hogwarts Express from Kings Cross Station.
Of course, this is a magical train and therefore you have to access it from a magical platform. This is Platform 9 3/4.
Its not visible to the non-magical eye or accessible for non-magical folk and you have to transport your way through Platforms 9 and 10 in order to access it.
We are first introduced to Platform 9 3/4 in Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone which starts our journey into the Wizarding World.
Although it is a fictional story, lots of Harry Potter fans wonder if Platform 9 3/4 really does exist at Kings Cross Station.
Hedwig at Platform 9 3/4 in Universal Studios Orlando!
Are You Looking For More Harry Potter Locations In London
There are plenty more locations that you can seek out if youre a Potterhead in London!
After your visit to Kings Cross Station, there are many Harry Potter locations in this area. You can head on to Claremont Square which was the Order of the Phoenix HQ.
Then, I would recommend heading over to Soho to visit. The Harry Potteris in Covent Garden nearby which is home to Londons only Butterbeer Bar.
There is also the House of MinaLima and The Cursed Child performances at the Palace Theatre. Or, you can visit some of the inspirations for Diagon Alley like Cecil Court and Goodwins Court.
Harry Potter Photographic Exhibition
Talking of Diagon Alley, one of my favourite locations I visited has to be Leadenhall Market. A gorgeous Victorian wonder that featured as the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron and Diagon Alley.
I would then catch the tube over to the River Thames to see sights like the Millennium Bridge, Tower Bridge, London City Hall, and Borough Market which all featured as filming locations.
You can head into St Pauls Cathedral to see their Geometric Staircase that was the Divination Stairwell at Hogwarts.
You could go for a Harry Potter afternoon tea at Cutter & Squidge and then finish the day off with immersive experiences like magical cocktails at The Cauldron.
Leadenhall Market
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Ticket Prices And Opening Hours
Anyone can walk up to the Platform 9 ¾ sign for free, but if you want a professional photo taken, The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 ¾ charges:
- One photograph for £9.50
- Two photographs for £15
- Three photographs for £20
You can access the Platform 9 ¾ sign anytime during Kings Cross Stations opening hours which are:
- 5 a.m. to 1:36 a.m.
- 5 a.m. to 1:11 a.m.
- 5 a.m. to 1:36 a.m.
If you are interested to hear more about Harry Potter or any of the many topics of interest in London, you should check out our list of tours.
The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 ¾ is open between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m every day of the week.
Visit The Kings Cross Station Harry Potter Filming Locations
After your visit to the Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 3/4, you can find some of the Harry Potter filming locations at Kings Cross Station.
The famous scenes in Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone where Harry magically transports to the Hogwarts Express can be found between platforms 4 and 5 at Kings Cross Station. You may have to buy a ticket or tap your card to visit them depending on the time of day!
The old-fashioned bridge where Harry walks with Hagrid and then Sirius Black in the later movies is no longer there. Its been replaced by a glass bridge so it may look a little different on your visit these days.
Nonetheless, dedicated Harry Potter fans will love exploring the station and seeing the inspiration for the books!
The Platform 9 3/4 filming location can be found between platforms 4 & 5!
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Make The Platform 9 3/4 Curtain
Before you start Im going to repeat that since making this, Ive learned it is probably cheaper to buy a .
We toyed with a few ideas on what to use to paint the DIY Harry Potter Platform 9 3/4 brick wall on. There are a lot of tutorials that say to use a bed sheet but this seemed a little expensive. If we had thought to check amazon I might have just done that though. If you had plans to use this over and over it might be a better option. We bought a shower curtain but then realized that a shower curtain is much shorter than the doorway. We thought about painting cardboard and fixing it to the door almost like a swinging door in a western movie, but then we found a plastic table cloth like this that was about the exact same size as our door. BINGO! If you wanted something more long lasting you could use a cloth table cloth like this one for just a little more money.
To make the DIY Harry Potter Platform 9 3/4 you will need your table cloth, a large sponge, red paint, and a paint tray. This red paint is inexpensive and comes in the 8oz size that should be more than enough if you are painting on plastic. If painting onto a sheet or linen table cloth I am going to assume you will need more paint because it will soak up more. Or you can skip this whole process and just buy this plastic brick patterned backdrop.
/10 How Did Students Get To Hogwarts Before
When Muggles and magical folk lived in harmony , pupils used to go to Hogwarts however they wanted. These included brooms, freight vehicles, magic beasts, and so on, but these modes of transport were not without some problematic outcomes, largely avoidable accidents.
Later, Portkeys were developed for this process, and even Floo Powder was occasionally employed by the administration. There was no consistency, however, not until the standard that exists in the present timeline.
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Visiting Platform 9 3/4
Visiting time may take around 30 minutes to an hour if you want to wait in line and get your photo taken underneath the Platform 9 ¾ sign. However, if youre short on time and just want to see Platform 9 ¾ with your very own eyes, you could easily visit it within 15 minutes.
Although anyone can wait in a line to get a photo underneath the platform sign, if you want to get a professional photo taken underneath the Platform 9 ¾ sign, you will need to speak to someone at The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 ¾ who will guide you in the right direction. If youre travelling alone, be aware that members of staff at the shop are not allowed to use your phone to snap a photo of you. If you are travelling with a group of friends, the photographers can also arrange a group photo underneath the sign as well.
/10 The Platform Has A Dedicated Station Guard
In addition to the number of Ministry of Magic minions, there is one officer dedicated to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. Nothing is known about him, except that he’s always around and ensures that people entering the site do so with the proper precautions necessary.
His job is even more important when it comes to students exiting the barrier, which is presumably a lot more noticeable act that simply vanishing into emptiness.
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St Pancras Station And The Flying Car Scene
While you’re here, it’s also worth checking out St. Pancras Station!
This beautifully resorted Victorian building is located just across the street from King’s Cross Station.
Potter-lovers will recognise it as soon as they see it – just in front of the station is where Ron and Harry picked up the Ford Anglia that Ron would then use to fly them to Hogwarts.
The iconic image of the car leaving the ground is filmed right in front of St. Pancras!
Hogwarts Starry Night Spirit Jersey
£44.95
Show your support and celebrate Hogwarts with this Hogwarts Starry Night Spirit Jersey®. The shirt features an all-over star design printed on the material and is complete with a Hogwarts Crest in puff glitter print on the front chest. The long-sleeved shirt features a Hogwarts Crest in a white design on the front chest, with the Hogwarts school motto Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus presented underneath, which translates to Never tickle a sleeping dragon’.
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/10 Busy For Only Six Days Every School Year
Given that the sole function of the platform is to ferry students from Hogwarts to London and back, it makes sense that the place would be shut down most of the time.
There is one journey each for the start and the conclusion of every term, and two each for the major seasons, the Christmas and Easter vacations. While it is active, however, the platform is incredibly busy, with various sights, sounds and smells filling the air
Honeydukes Sweets And Treats Gift Set
£40.00
Discover your next favourite flavour from this special collection of Honeydukes confectionery. Brought together with a touch of magic inside a giant Chocolate Frog collectors box, you will receive and sample five delicious fan favourite sweets, packaged in artwork faithful to the Harry Potter film series. Makes a perfect gift for those who wish to experience the delight of a Honeydukes shop at home, or simply fancy a treat!
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Chocolate Frog With Personalised Wizard Card
Create your very own bespoke personalised wizard card for the ultimate Harry Potter gifting experience. Great for yourself or as the perfect gift for a treasured keepsake, unique to every Hogwarts student. The beloved and best-selling Chocolate Frog with Personalised Wizard Card will be sure to excite both chocolate lovers and collectors alike.
Diagon Alley Spirit Jersey
$65.00
This long-sleeved spirit jersey reads Welcome to Diagon Alley with a Diagon Alley street sign in gold foil transfer on the front chest. On the back, Diagon Alley is emblazoned in metallic gold font broadly across the shoulders. Minalimas exclusive artwork of Diagon Alley can be seen printed on the bottom back down to the hem, and offers up a stunning street scene of the various magical shops in cerulean blue. Showing off your Harry Potter fandom has never been so fun or so bold.
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Are You A Gryffindor Or More Of A Ravenclaw
Look out for a luggage trolley embedded in the wall, and make-believe that you are off to start your magical school journey. The trolley is accessible at all hours, and you dont have to pay to take your own photographs. You can have a professional photograph taken with a scarf in your house colours, which is then available for you to view and purchase inside the Harry Potter shop next door. The professional photographer is on hand between 9am and 9pm daily. Queues for the trolley can get busy during school holidays and festive periods visit early to make sure youre one of the first in line!
Ever wondered why J K Rowling chose Kings Cross as the station for students to board the Hogwarts Express? The author revealed it is for quite a romantic reason: its where her parents first met. They met on a train to Scotland which departed from Kings Cross.