Yes it’s true, Muggles can now venture through the magical world of Harry Potter, Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, Platform 9 and 3/4’s and more. . .
The tour begins (of course) at King’s Cross Station at Platform 9 and 3/4’s.
The Hogwarts Express will then take you to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. You will be able to watch a Quidditch match (Gryffindor vs. Slytherin, if you’re lucky!), have dinner at the Great Hall with its enchanted ceiling, you can even visit Hogwarts Library, visit Hagrid’s cottage, walk through the halls to find Professor Snape’s potions classroom, and even visit the Gryffindor common room (but only if you can get past the Fat Lady).
Well, almost.
With the increasing popularity of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter 7-volume book series and recently released feature films, many British travel and tour operators have begun to offer special Harry Potter tours.
The tours take its participants to the various filming locations of the Harry Potter films. You can take your picture in the Great Hall, but don’t be disappointed – the ceiling isn’t enchanted. Here are a few of the famous filming locations in England and the United Kingdom:
King’s Cross Railway Station & North Yorkshire Moors Railway. Who would have thought – King’s Cross scenes are filmed at King’s Cross Station in London. North Yorkshire Moors Railway’s Goathland station serves as Hogsmeade Station, the town where the Hogwarts Express stops for Hogwarts.
Australia House and Charing Cross Road. At these locations, you’ll find the filming location of Gringotts and Diagon Alley.
Gloucester Cathedral. This 11th century building’s hallways and corridors is where Hogwarts’ hallways scenes are filmed. You’ll recognize the intricate cathedral-like arches in the feature films. Many scenes in the Chamber of Secrets were filmed here, including Moaning Myrtle’s scenes. It was upon these walls that the Fat Lady’s portrait hung.
Christ Church College & New College, Oxford University. These colleges at Oxford is where many of the school scenes are filmed. The Bodleian Library is where Hogwarts Library scenes are also filmed. The famous Great Hall of Hogwarts (where it all ends in Book 7!) as well as the Hogwarts hospital, is also filmed here.
Lacock, near Bath. The leafy streets and 16th century cottages are used in the Harry Potter films and the mediaeval Lacock Abbey doubles as Harry, Ron, and Hermione’s classroom during classroom scenes, including Potions with Snape (. ..Professor Snape). It was the town of Lacock that inspired Godric’s Hollow, the home to one of the Hogwarts founders, Godric Gryffindor, as well as Dumbledore, and Harry Potter!
Alnwick Castle. Right close to the England/Scotland border, you’ll find England’s second largest castle. This is the location of Harry’s first broom flying lesson and where he would later play the famous game of Quidditch!
For more information, visit one of these tour operators:
British Tours | A Traveller’s Guide to London | Harry Potter Fan Trips
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