The magical world of Harry Potter will always be an incredibly important part of my life, it is like coming home when I enter the pages.
I received Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone for Christmas 1998 when I was 10 years old.. that’s right 1998. I’m a OG when it comes to Harry Potter and I’ve been completely obsessed ever since! As a child with dyslexia this was the first novel I ever read and through these books I became a better student, reader, friend and so forth. With difficulties growing up and moving to a new state at 13; Harry, Hermione and Ron often felt like my only friends. They are the truest of friends a girl could have ever asked for. They’ve been there for me when I needed them, have never let me down and encouraged me to be my best self. I mean who doesn’t love a little magic and whimsy in their lives? Plus come on they took out Voldemort!
Therefore in honor of Harry Potter’s birthday, July 31st, I’m sharing my personal guide to Harry Potter locations in the United Kingdom!
First stop before boarding the Hogwarts Express…
LONDON
While you can certainly take the Leavesden Studio tour or take a curated bus/walking tour there is nothing quite like walking around London and finding the filming and book influenced locations yourself!
London Zoo: Where we are first introduced to Harry’s magical abilities, unbenounced to him in the Reptile exhibit.
Platform 9 3/4: In my opinion King’s Cross and St Pancras Station is the most influential location in London for all things Harry Potter. St Pancras street entrance is a visual influence seen in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets when the bewitched blue Ford Anglia flies past. King’s Cross is right next door to St Pancras, while Platform 9 3/4 may not accessible by muggles you can easily check out the fun photo booth display and merchandise shop inside the main concourse of the station. Keep in mind that the trolley photo can be spendy and the queue could take upwards of an hour plus.
Diagon Alley: There are quite a few influences that inspired Diagon Alley in the films.
Leadenhall Market: Leadenhall Market is not only one of the oldest markets in London, dating back to the 14th century but visually you can see how it could be an influence to Diagon Alley. The Glass House, an optical shop is actually the street entrance used in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone for the Leaky Cauldron.
Borough Market: While I’ve mention Borough Market previously in my A Moment in London blog post, Borough Market is known to be the oldest food market in the world dating back to 1014. In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkhaban the flower shop Chez Michele in Borough Market was also used as a street entrance to the Leaky Cauldron.
The Ministry of Magic: This location is a little tricky to find and rightfully so, the Ministry would have all muggle protections in place! At the intersection of Scotland Yard and New Scotland Yard is the film entrance to the Ministry of Magic. Unfortunately, from personal experience, there is no phone booth available as I later found out it was only a prop but the magic still exists while walking down these streets.
No. 12 Grimmauld Place: Only a short 10 minute walk away from Kings Cross is Claremont Square, the setting for the Order of the Phoenix. Homes numbers 19-29 are the particular location as their directly across from the park that characters sneaked out from to enter the headquarters but please be respectful as it is a residential area. Honestly though, it does feel like Kreacher is looking out at you!
Millennium Bridge: In Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince film the death eaters demolish this bridge in the beginning; if you saw my Instagram stories you’ll know I was jokingly prepared for a death eater attack while walking across.
Gringotts Bank: The Australian House, the diplomatic embassy in London, in the external visual influence for Gringotts Bank and it’s not surprising why!
Piccadilly Circus: Escaping the Death Eaters that infiltrated the Ministry and Bill and Fleur’s wedding the trio narrowly avoid being hit by a bus in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.
SCOTLAND
Scotland, particularly Edinburgh, is not only known to be where a vast majority of Harry Potter was written but also where much of Harry Potter may have been influenced.
The Elephant House: The Elephant House claims to be the “birthplace of Harry Potter” yet the first novel was completed before the restaurant was even opened. However, J.K. Rowling did work on future novels in the restaurant so they aren’t too far off.
Greyfriar’s Kirkyard: Located on Candlemarkers Row this graveyard is a short 5 minute walk away from The Elephant House where many inspirational names for Harry Potter characters can be found. Character names including the Potters, McGonagall, “Mad Eye” Moody, the Blacks, Scrimgeour and the infamous Tom Riddle.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry: While the inspiration for Hogwarts was entirely imagined by Rowling before moving to Edinburgh these couple locations are fun to check out and imagine as our own backdrop for Hogwarts. Locations including Edinburgh Castle and George Heriot’s School that consists of 4 houses, 4 towers and 17th century architecture. Finally venture into the Scottish Highlands and enjoy the majestic beauty of the countryside where it is said Hogwarts be hidden.
Diagon Alley: If you want to feel like you’re in the real life Diagon Alley visit Victoria Street which is about a quick 3 minute walk from The Elephant House. It’s truly a lively and colorful street with unique shops like Museum Context, selling all items Harry Potter and Edinburgh inspired, and restaurants in the heart of Old Town Edinburgh.
Glenfinnan Viaduct: If you want to catch a sight of the Hogwarts Express heading towards Hogmeade Station, the Glenfinnan Viaduct is the place! The Glenfinnan Viaduct was the filming inspiration in both the Chamber of Secrets and Prisoner of Azkhaban. Make sure to time is appropriately as the train comes through at specific times, generally in the morning.
