Where To Stay In London
While visiting London to see all the best Harry Potter locations, youll need to find accommodation that gives you easy access to all the best spots.
Ive listed below a couple accommodation options, but if you want a more in depth area guide check out my local guide to the best places to stay in London.
Gloucester Cathedral Aka Hogwarts
Appeared in: Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and a bit of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
While there were many real-life stand-ins for Hogwarts over the years , one of the most iconic ones is the stunning Gloucester Cathedral.
Many interior shots for Hogwarts were filmed here early in the series. Most notably, during the troll scenes when Percys freaking out and leading the mini-Gryffindors back to their common room, when Harry and Ron break off to look for Hermione, and in Chamber of Secrets when the bloody words first appear and they find Filchs petrified cat. You also get a very clear view of it when Moaning Mrytle has flooded the bathroom and they pan to all the water on the ground
The crew returned to film a few scenes for Half-Blood Prince, a shoot that came with a hefty price tag of 100,000 pounds! An assortment of hallway scenes were shot here, including near the start, when McGonagall convinces Harry to take up Potions with Slughorn, and later after Slughorns big Christmas bash, when Harry overhears Snape and Malfoy chatting after Malfoys dumb blunder getting caught at the party. Of course, its at this point that Harry discovers Snape has made an unbreakable vow to protect Malfoy.
If youre curious to learn more about the Harry Potter/Gloucester Cathedral connection, you can check out a full article about that here.
Where Was Harry Potter Filmed
The Harry Potter films were filmed in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Many real-world locations were used for scenes in the movies, including Hogwarts, Diagon Alley and more. Other scenes were filmed and put together digitally at the Warner Bros film studio just outside of London.
There are a large number of Harry Potter filming locations in England, including London, southern England, and Yorkshire. Much of the scenery around Hogwarts was filmed in locations across Scotland.
There were also scenes filmed in Wales, including the Shell Cottage scene in Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows. Ireland also featured, with the Cliffs of Moher briefly appearing in Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince.
As well as the real-world locations, all eight of the Harry Potter films were also shot at a UK film studio. This was the Warner Brothers Studio in Leavesden, just outside of London, which can today be visited on a tour. This is a must-see attraction for fans!
The reason for shooting in the UK was primarily because this was where all the books were set. In addition, one of the stipulations that was attached to the film rights when J.K. Rowling sold them was that the primary cast members be British.
So with British locations and a British cast, naturally filming in the UK was the way to go!
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Freshwater West Beach Aka Home To Shell Cottage
Appeared in: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 and 2
This Welsh beach in Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is where Shell Cottage is set. It appears in the two Deathly Hallows movies, notably during a very sad scene that is so sad I cant even type it out.
Unfortunately, the cottage isnt there anymore for you to explore. In fact, due to bad weather, they had to build the cottage somewhere else and then lug it over just before filming. That said, its still a beautiful beach, and for a time, you could even visit Dobbys actual grave here.
Royce Grove Aka Where Harry Is Running Away From Home
Appeared in: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Located in Leavesden, Royce Grove was used to film the sad scene where Harry is, pretty much, running away from home in Prisoner of Azkaban. We see him dragging his suitcase out onto this street, which is just a quiet residential street like any other. It would take a pretty hardcore fan to actually come here for tourism purposes!
Later, on Dowding Way is where Harry sits down and is eventually picked up by the Knight Bus.
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Visit These 6 Stunning Locations Where The Harry Potter Movies Were Filmed
Relive the ‘Harry Potter’ films IRL.
Theres no reason to limit your love of Harry Potter to the pages of a book or the scenes in a movie. Especially when those movies were filmed in beautiful spots across the U.K., just begging for a Hogwarts-themed jaunt across the pond.
Luckily for us Potterheads, the British Tourist Board put together a comprehensive map of the best places to visit in Britain and Scotland that were actual filming locations for the Harry Potter movies.
Lets check out some of the most notable.
Leadenhall Market London England
A post shared by Leadenhall Market on May 18, 2018 at 1:00am PDT
The entrance to wizards pub the Leaky Cauldron is in real life an optician’s in Bulls Head Passage, which you can find in Leadenhall Market in the City of London. Leadenhall is a superb example of a Victorian covered market with an ornate painted roof.
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How Old Is Ron Weasley
Ronald Bilius Ron Weasley was born on March 1, 1980, and he was the sixth and youngest son of Arthur and Molly Weasley and an English pure-blood-born wizard. He was also Bills, Charlies, Percys, Freds, and Georges younger brother, as well as Ginnys older brother.
The twins delighted in teasing Ron, as did his younger sister Ginny, though they were all close. Ron was terribly protective of Ginny, which we can notice clearly when she was seeing Dean who made her cry very often. So Ron had the right to intervene, or at least he thought so.
The Highlands Of Scotland
JK Rowling has said in interviews that she always imagined Hogwarts to be in Scotland, so it’s appropriate that some of the most stunning scenes depicting the grounds of the Harry Potter Castle were filmed in the beautiful Scottish Highlands.
Look out for the location of Hagrid’s hut at Glencoe, near the Clachaig Inn, which is also where Hermione punches Malfoy in The Prisoner of Azkaban, and Loch Eilt with its tiny island of Eilean Na Moine which was the location of Dumbeldore’s grave in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.
Keep an eye out too for Loch Morar, the largest freshwater lake in Britain, which along with nearby Loch Arkaig and Loch Shiel were digitally blended together to create Hogwarts Lake.
As you pass desolate Rannoch Moor imagine yourself in The Deathly Hallows Part 1, where the Dementors board the train looking for Harry.
Nearby are Steall Falls, Britain’s second highest waterfall, and the surrounding beauty of Glen Nevis, it’s been a filming location multiple times in the Harry Potter movies, most notably as the scenic background to some exciting Quidditch games!
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Goathland Train Station Yorkshire
Another filming location for Harry Potter in Yorkshire was Goathland train station. Found in the North York Moors in the village of Goathland , this was the filming location of the Hogwarts train station, Hogsmeade.
The station appeared in Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone. When the train pulls into the station, we can see Hogwarts in the distance . Its here that Hagrid welcomes the first years and takes them to the boats which they cross to the school.
It also features at the end of the same movie, when the students head home after the end of their first year of adventures at Hogwarts.
Goathland train station is a part of the North Yorkshire Moors railway, and is an active station, with services running to Whitby. Its free to visit, and theres a fee to park if you park on site. You can even stay on site, in the camping train.
There are also a variety of experiences on offer, including the chance to ride a steam train or take a ride on a classic Pullman dining train.
If you want to do an activity like this, we recommend you book in advance as they do not run every day or year-round.
You can visit Goathland yourself, or you can take a tour from York like this which includes the station. See our guide to spending two days in York for more inspiration for this lovely English city.
How Old Is Harry Potter
In Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone Harry Potter was eleven years old. When we say this it also applies to his school colleagues from his year, since most of the first years are eleven when they start school.
In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, he and his friends are twelve. In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, they are thirteen, in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire fourteen, in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix fifteen, in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince sixteen, and finally, in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, they are seventeen years old.
Most fans know that Harry Potter and J. Rolling have the same birthday and that the famous date is July 31, but the author has also revealed the birthdays of many other characters over the years. Lord Voldemort made his first attempt to disprove the prophecy when Harry was one year and three months old.
In this attempt, he kills Harrys parents while Harrys parents are trying to defend him, and this attempt to kill Harry resulted in Voldemorts first Horcrux that was the accidental one.
This event marked the end of the First Wizarding War, and Harry became known as the The boy who lived because he was the only survivor of this deadly curse. On his 11th birthday, Harry finds out he is a wizard because Rubeus Hagrid appears with a birthday cake and tells him about his family. This is one of our favorite scenes!
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What Has Been Filmed At Alnwick Castle Aside From Harry Potter
Of course there are plenty more places for movie buffs beyond the Alnwick Castle Harry Potter filming locations.
Alnwick Castle has been the location for a number of films and TV shows. The most recent is the ITV period drama, Downton Abbey. It portrayed Brancaster Castle in two Christmas specials.
I LOVE the comedy Blackadder and this was the location where they shot the exteriors of the castle in the first series.
Fans of Tom Hardy will love that The Virgin Queen was filmed here, it was one of his very early roles as Robert Dudley.
Other Hollywood movies that have used Alnwick Castle are A Knight In Camelot, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Elizabeth as well as Transformers: The Last Knight.
You can find out where they have filmed everything and some behind the scenes gossip during the FREE Alnwick On Location Film Tour that takes place throughout the day.
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2
After destroying one Horcrux and discovering the significance of the three Deathly Hallows, Harry, Ron and Hermione continue to seek the other Horcruxes in an attempt to destroy Voldemort, who has now obtained the powerful Elder Wand. The Dark Lord discovers Harry’s hunt for Horcruxes and launches an attack on Hogwarts School, where the trio return for one last stand against the dark forces that threaten both the Wizarding and Muggle worlds.
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These Magical Destinations Were Used In The Harry Potter Movies
These locations are so iconic that fans will be able to pick out exactly which movie they’re from, and which scene they were used in.
Many a Harry Potter fan watched the movies with a mix of anticipation and awe as they slowly rolled out into movie theaters and it wasn’t just due to the characters being brought to life with a little Hollywood magic. Rather, it was the enchantment behind every moving staircase, every incredible mountain vista, all the English charm, and the magic inside every forest scene. Thanks to the many settings around the UK, these scenes became second to know and were incredibly memorable for fans around the world who could only imagine them prior to that moment. In short, the filming locations chosen to appear in the Harry Potter movies were second to none.
While some of these locations can be picked out by an eye that’s familiar with London’s most picturesque city locations or Scotland’s more glorious natural backdrops, there are some places that only inspired what fans witnessed on the big screen. However, that doesn’t mean they can’t be visited – these are all the fan-favorite destinations that fans can actually seek out and explore for themselves, and maybe even find some magic of their own along the way.
Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix Real
The events of Order of the Phoenix take place between 1995 and 1996. Filming began on February 7, 2006, and continued until December 31, 2006. It was released on June 28th, 2007.
From February to November 2006, live-action shooting took place in England and Scotland for outdoor locations, and at Leavesden Film Studios in Watford for interior locations, with a one-month break in June.
Post-production on the film lasted several months after it was finished in order to incorporate special effects. According to reports, the films budget ranged between £75 and £100 million .
The film was released in the United Kingdom on July 12, 2007, and in North America on July 11, 2007, in both traditional and IMAX theaters it is the first Potter film to be released in IMAX 3D.
Order of the Phoenix is the longest novel in the Harry Potter series, with 766 pages in the British edition and 870 in the American edition, but the film is the second shortest.
The inclusion or exclusion of certain characters sparked fan speculation about the significance of the characters in the final book of the series, which was released only ten days after the film.
In April 2006, Jim McManus representatives announced that he would be playing Aberforth Dumbledore, Albus brother and the bartender at the Hogs Head, where Harry and his friends discovered Dumbledores Army.
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Harrow School Aka The Charms Classroom
Appeared in: Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone
Swish and flick!
This is Professor Flitwicks Charms classroom, and yes, its located in an actual real school, in the Fourth Form room of Harrow School to be precise. You can book tours of it, although its a little out of the way in London. But, can you resist visiting the very space where Hermione uttered her iconic line its leviOsa, not levioSAAAA.
PS: the oak walls of this classroom have signatures lovingly carved in from former students.. including some you may know, like Winston Churchill.
Christ Church College Aka The Great Hall And The Stairs Leading To It
Appeared in: Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Ive been to this stunner in-person and I cant lie to you, subtle tears may have been shed.
SO, let me clarify one thing: while the Great Hall from all the Harry Potter movies is actually a set , this hall in Oxford is still well worth visiting because the film set design was heavily modelled after it. So much so that The Hall is basically a spitting image of the Great Hall weve learned to love throughout the franchise.
Plus, the stairs leading up to it appear it in the first two films: in the Philosophers Stone as the scene RIGHT before all the newcomers enter the Great Hall and also in Chamber of Secrets when Ron and Harry have just crashed into the Whomping Willow and run into Filch being super creepy on the stairway. Youll also briefly see it in the flashback scene where Tom Riddle is chatting with Dumbledore about the student death, and he, too, is being super creepy on the stairway.
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Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire
During Harry’s fourth year, Hogwarts plays host to a legendary event: the Triwizard Tournament. Three European schools participate in the tournament, with three ‘champions’ representing each school in the deadly tasks. The Goblet of Fire chooses Fleur Delacour, Viktor Krum, and Cedric Diggory to compete against each other. However, curiously, Harry’s name is also produced from the Goblet thus making him a fourth champion, which results in a terrifying encounter with a reborn Lord Voldemort.
The Origins Of Harry Potter In Edinburgh
After her years in Porto, Rowling moved to Edinburgh. It was here, frequenting quaint coffee shops, that she finished the first novel in the series. In fact, ten years later she also finished the last lines of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in a hotel in Edinburgh.
Youll be surprised to see the interesting comparisons between Edinburghs Victoria Street, and the famous Diagon Alley. You can discover all this and much more during the Harry Potter Free Tour.
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About Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return To Hogwarts
Based on the book series of the same name by acclaimed British author J.K. Rowling, the Harry Potter film franchise comprises eight movies released from 2001 to 2011.
The main characters Harry Potter, Ronald Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger were immortalised by Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, respectively.
The films also left behind fond memories of a fantastical world of magic and unforgettable characters essayed by some of the worlds best actors and actresses. These include Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter, the late Alan Rickman, Gary Oldman, Michael Gambon, Tom Felton, Maggie Smith, the late Helen McCrory and Robbie Coltrane.
Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts will feature interviews and conversations of the many cast members as they reunite for the special, which will premiere on HBO Max on 1 January 2022.
Until then, a round-up of some famous Harry Potter filming locations is the best way to reminisce about the movies.