We’ve rounded up a list of some of the best Harry Potter filming locations that you can visit across the UK, some are well known, others are hidden gems.
Wales
Dobby’s Grave, Pembrokeshire
This hidden gem located is located on Freshwater West Beach, Pembrokeshire and is the unofficial gravestone of Dobby the house elf. About a third of the way across the beach at the sand dunes you will find the location where Dobby died marked by a grave and a collection of painted pebbles and tributes left by other Harry Potter fans. So before you visit make sure that you bring your painted pebble with you to leave as a tribute.
Scotland
Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh
Visit Edinburgh’s most iconic hotel and at room 552 hotel is where J.K. Rowling completed the final book of the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. You can even book a stay in the J.K Rowling suite at this five star hotel which includes a private tour and Harry Potter themed cocktails.
Victoria Street, Edinburgh
Victoria Street is a narrow curved street in the Grassmarket area in the old town of Edinburgh. The brightly coloured buildings and quirky shops of this cobbled street is reputed to be an inspiration for Diagon Alley.
When on Victoria Street look out for the Boy Wizard store, located half way along the street. It’s full of all things related to Harry Potter across its several floors.
Hogwarts Inspiration in Edinburgh
Many believe that George Heriot’s School served as inspiration for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry but another Edinburgh location worth checking out is the inner courtyard of School of Divinity at the University of Edinburgh – it looks like its straight out of Hogwarts.
The Jacobite Steam Train and Glenfinnan Viaduct, Scotland
See the real life Hogwarts Express, the Jacobite Steam Train that departs from Fort William to Mallaig in Scotland on an 85 mile journey through some of the most stunning scenery in Scotland between April and October every year. One of the most spectacular spots on the journey is when it crosses the famous Glenfinnan viaduct that carries the railway 100ft above ground to Glenfinnan Station.
Glencoe, Scotland
The beautiful Glencoe in Scotland provided the dramatic landscapes where Hogwarts was filmed including the Steall Falls at Glen Nevis from the Tri-Wizard Tournament in the Goblet of Fire. In the first two movies, Quidditch matches were also filmed against the stunning backdrop of Glen Nevis in Glencoe.
London
Visit Platform 9 3/4 at Kings Cross Station, London
As Harry Potter fans will know, the only way to get to the platform for the Hogwarts Express is to head to platform 9 3/4 at Kings Cross train station. At the actual Kings Cross station in London you can find a platform 9¾ on the wall in the station concourse. Once here you can queue up and have your picture taken whilst pushing your trolley through the wall.
If you want to beat the busy crowds and it does get busy, try to visit as early as possible (before 9 a.m.) and avoid visiting during school holidays. Also check out the Harry Potter gift shop here, which has a wide range of Harry potter gifts to purchase.
Step outside Kings Cross station and you will find the neo-gothic facade of St Pancras train station. You will remember this from when the Weasley’s magical Ford Anglia takes off in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) in front of this station.
Millennium Bridge, London
Visit Millennium Bridge in London which was the location of the opening scene of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince film. This iconic bridge over the River Thames opened in June 2000 linking Bankside to the City of London.
London Zoo
If you are visiting ZSL London Zoo, make sure you stop off at their reptile house. This was the location where a Burmese python spoke to Harry in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. There is a plaque beside the enclosure to commemorate the famous scene.
Piccadilly Circus, London
This famous London landmark was used in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 where Harry, Ron and Hermione are seen running through Central London, having discovered that the Death Eaters are after them
Leadenhall Market, London
Head to Leadenhall Market which is considered to be London’s most beautiful Victorian market. This was the location of Diagon Alley which first appeared Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone where the young wizards could buy everything on their supply list.
Leadenhall Market is also the location of 42 Bull’s Head Passage – the entrance to The Leaky Cauldron from the fourth movie in the series, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Where: Leadenhall Market, Gracechurch St, London EC3V 1LT
Australia House, London
Visit the real Gringott’s Bank at Australia House on the Strand in London. In the movies this was the bank run by goblins and the interior shots for Gringotts were filmed inside Australia House home to the Australian High Commission. It’s not open to the public but you can look in from outside.
Where: Strand, London WC2B 4LA
Rest of England
Goathland Train Station, Yorkshire
Hogsmeade is the train station in the movies that serves the village of Hogsmeade and Hogwarts school. You can visit the real life station that was used as the location for this station called Goathland station. Built in 1865 as part of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway this stunning location is still in use as a railway and can be reached from either Whitby or Pickering.
Where: Cow Wath Bank, Goathland, Whitby YO22 5NF
Lacock Village and Lacock Abbey
The National Trust location of Lacock Abbey was used in the The Sorcerer’s Stone and The Chamber of Secrets. The cloisters were often used as the corridors in Hogwarts along with the New College cloisters and Christ Church cloisters at Oxford.
The rooms at the abbey were used as the classroom for Professor Snape’s lessons on potions as well as the classroom for the Temporary Defence Against The Dark Arts. Once inside it really does feel as though you are walking around Hogwarts and the medieval cauldron that was used in the film is on display. Most recently it was used in the Fantastic Beasts film: The Crimes of Grindelwald.
Also in nearby Lacock village you will be able to find Harry Potter’s House used in the first Harry Potter film, the Philosopher’s Stone.
Where: Lacock, Chippenham SN15 2LG
The Harry Potter Tree, Blenheim Palace
At Blenheim Palace there is a Harry Potter tree featured in the Order of the Phoenix movie. A majestic 55ft tall, 20ft diameter, 300 year old Cedar of Lebanon tree sits alone by a lake at Blenheim Palace.
The tree is one of the most iconic and recognisable trees because of its distinctive gaping hole at the front
Number 4 Privet Drive
You will have visited 4 Privet Drive if you have been on the The Making of Harry Potter tour but you can also visit the actual location of the childhood home of Harry Potter featured in the first movie – Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
The three-bedroom house at Martins Heron, Bracknell, Berkshire was used for the external shots of the house where Harry Potter lived in the cupboard under the stairs wIth his uncle Vernon, aunt Petunia, and cousin Dursley Dudley.
Alnwick Castle
Alnwick Castle, the second largest inhabited castle in England was used for the exterior shots of Hogwarts in the first two movies. The outer bailey and its the lawns of Alnwick Castle are most well known where the flying lessons took place.
During your visit you can even get a 25 minute broomstick flying lesson from an expert wizarding professional and learn to fly!
Durham Cathedral, Durham
Another location used for Hogwarts was one of the UK’s finest Norman buildings at Durham Cathedral. The cloisters here were transformed into the snow-covered quadrangle where Harry sets the owl flying in the first movie and also appeared in the Chamber of Secrets in the scene when Ron’s slug vomited.
The chapter house at the cathedral was where Professor McGonagall’s taught the young wizards to turn animals into water goblets at his class.
Bodleian Library, Oxford University
The famous Bodleian Library of Oxford University featured in three Harry Potter movies. Hogwarts Library was filmed here along with the impressive Divinity School becoming Hogwarts’ infirmary.
Gloucestershire Cathedral, Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire Cathedral’s Cloisters were used for the interior of Hogwarts in two of the famous films, ‘The Philosophers Stone’ and ‘Chamber of Secrets’ including the shots of Harry and Ron hiding from the troll.
The Making of Harry Potter, Hertfordshire
The best Harry Potter experience in the UK is the amazing Warner Bros Studio Tour. If you have experienced the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando or in California, “The Making of Harry Potter” tour at Warner Bros Studio Tour offers a totally different experience featuring props, costumes and complete movie sets from the Harry Potter movies.
During your visit you get the chance to ride on a broomstick, try butterbeer and walk through the amazing forbidden forest. Some of our favourites are Diagon Alley, Kings Cross station where you can board the Hogwarts Express and the latest additions to the studio tour the spectacular Gringotts Wizarding Bank.