17 Enchanting London Harry Potter Places that Potterheads HAVE to Visit
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Hey Potterhead! You’re not going to want to miss out on these London Harry Potter Places.
Are you a fan of the Wizarding World who is planning a trip to London? There might just be no destination better suited for your trip – London is home to countless places that served as settings for the films, inspired the books, and have been created to honor the beloved series.
From the mystical Platform 9 3/4 at King’s Cross Station to the grand exterior of St Pancras International Train Station, there’s something for every Potterhead to explore.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best London Harry Potter places, including some lesser-known gems that even the most die-hard fans might not know about. So grab your wand, and let’s dive in!
Must-Visit London Harry Potter Places
St Pancras International Train Station
The grand exterior of St Pancras International Train Station, located in North London, will be pretty familiar to anyone who’s watched Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. When Harry and Ron miss their train from platform 9 ¾, they decide to make their way to Hogwarts using the flying Ford Anglia car.
As the car soars into the sky, it can be seen emerging from the red brick building of St Pancras Station. Little of the station’s exterior has changed since the film was made in 2002, making this a fantastic Harry Potter site in London.
Millennium Bridge
This iconic pedestrian bridge, spanning the River Thames, served as a captivating backdrop for one of the most thrilling scenes in the series. In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the bridge was destroyed by the Death Eaters, who whizzed around the suspension bridge until it collapsed – killing many muggles in the process.
Visiting this Harry Potter place in London is not for the faint-hearted – affectionately nicknamed the wobbly bridge; its design causes it to sway in the wind. This feature feels eerily ominous, considering the plot of the film!
Harry Potter fan or not, the Millenium Bridge is a great landmark to visit; it serves as a symbol of modern architectural brilliance and provides unbeatable views over the River Thames.
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King’s Cross Station
If you only visit one Harry Potter location in London, it should definitely be Kings Cross Station, which is located in the center of the city. Hidden within the confines of this bustling transportation hub lies a magical portal that will transport you straight to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry – Platform 9 ¾.
The enchanting brick wall features the iconic signage from the film and is even fitted with a replica of a luggage trolley, perfectly positioned for a photo opportunity of visitors on their way to Hogwarts.
It’s one of the most popular Harry Potter sites in London, so there’s usually a crowd of fans queuing to snap pictures – the atmosphere is unbeatable! Make sure to don your favorite Hogwarts scarf, grab hold of the trolley handles, and let your imagination soar as you pose for a photo in the spot at which Harry and Ron began their journey to Hogwarts.
Leadenhall Market
Fans of the Potterverse will, without a doubt, recognize one of London’s oldest covered markets – Leadenhall Market. Located in East London, this historical Victorian market features grand architecture and remarkably ornate details.
This might be why filmmakers chose to use the market’s exterior as the entrance to the mystical Diagon Alley, the shopping street Hagrid took Harry to in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
Take a wander through the market’s winding alleyways, and you’ll find the blue door which was used as the entrance to The Leaky Cauldron. In our world, it’s an optician’s – but it’s recognizable nonetheless. This is one of the best London Harry Potter places.
Piccadilly Circus
Central London’s Piccadilly Circus is an iconic location that most people will recognize as part of London’s cityscape – the bustling hub is adorned with dazzling billboards and bright lights, and it’s a popular tourist destination.
But die-hard Harry Potter fans with a keen eye for detail will know that it is a location featured in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (part 1). After apparating from Bill Weasley’s wedding due to the arrival of the Death Eaters, Harry, Ron, and Hermoine find themselves in Piccadilly Circus, where they narrowly avoid being crushed by a double-decker bus.
If you stand outside the GAP store (you’ll recognize the semi-circle windows from the film!) and wait for one of the many iconic London buses to pass – you’ll feel as if you’re standing in Harry, Ron and Hermione’s footsteps!
Charing Cross Road
Charing Cross Road, a street in Central London, wasn’t used as a filming location in the series – however, it’s still a cool London Harry Potter place to visit. In the book, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry’s bus journey to The Leaky Cauldron is described when author JK Rowling writes:
“They were thundering along Charing Cross Road. Harry sat up and watched buildings and benches squeezing themselves out of the Knight Bus’s way….
Ern slammed on the brakes and the Knight Bus skidded to a halt in front of a small and shabby-looking pub, the Leaky Cauldron, behind which lay the magical entrance to Diagon Alley.”
Charing Cross Road is one of the lesser-known Harry Potter spots in London, so it’s a bit of a hidden gem and is definitely worth a visit. It’s not every day you get to visit a street mentioned by name in the Harry Potter books! Plus, its central location means a visit can be easily combined with your tour of other Harry Potter sites in London.
London Zoo’s Reptile House
The Reptile House in London Zoo was used as the filming location for one of the most memorable scenes in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone – Harry’s first encounter with magic. Harry and his family visit the zoo, and he has an intriguing encounter with a Burmese python that speaks to him.
Harry then discovers his magic when he accidentally frees the snake from the enclosure. You can visit the zoo to spot the enclosure used for this scene, and there’s even a commemorative plaque in place as it’s a pretty popular London Harry Potter place.
You won’t be able to see the mystical python, though, as the enclosure is actually home to a black mamba snake. This is one of the original London Harry Potter places!
Australia House on Strand
This grade II listed building located in Strand serves as the Australian High Commission in London. A visit to this majestic building is a must for any Harry Potter fan, as it will transport you into the magical world of Gringotts Bank.
The opulent marble-clad interior was used as the backdrop for Gringotts in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone when Hagrid and Harry enter the bank to retrieve the Sorcerer’s Stone. Visitors can enter Australia House, but it’s important to note that restrictions may be in place due to the building’s political role.
Even if you aren’t able to go inside, the ornate architecture of the building’s facade is worth a visit in itself.
Lambeth Bridge
It’s not one of the most prominent Harry Potter sites in London, but Lambeth Bridge made a brief yet memorable appearance in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. As the Knight Bus zoomed through the streets of London, navigating the city’s bustling traffic, it swerved perilously close to Lambeth Bridge before magically shrinking to squeeze through a narrow gap.
Fans can take a stroll along the bridge to take in the breathtaking views of the River Thames and replay the exhilarating moment that took place on the bridge in that thrilling scene.
While Lambeth Bridge may not be adorned with overt magical elements, its brief appearance in the film serves as a delightful reminder of the extraordinary adventures that awaited Harry and his friends.
10 Downing Street
The iconic 10 Downing Street is a renowned British landmark that serves as the official residence of the country’s Prime Minister. Fans might remember that it also made a fascinating appearance in the Harry Potter film series.
As you approach the iconic black door of the famous residential address, cast your mind back to Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, when Number 10 was transformed into the fictional residence of the British Prime Minister. It was here that the Minister for Magic urgently sought counsel in the face of impending danger.
While access to the interior is restricted to official personnel, the exterior’s significance as a filming location makes it a London Harry Potter place well worth visiting.
Westminster Tube Station
In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the bustling transport hub of Westminster Tube Station was used to depict the fictional Wembley Stadium Station. Harry and Mr. Weasley travel through this station on their way to the Ministry of Magic, and it’s at these exact ticket barriers that Mr. Weasley struggles with his Oyster card.
The station was actually closed for the very first time in its history during the filming of this scene. Westminster Tube Station is a bit of a hidden gem as it doesn’t feature on the usual London Harry Potter sites lists, but if you’re a Harry Potter enthusiast, you should definitely visit to see what you recognize.
It’s easy to get to if you’re traveling around London via the tube, and a visit can be easily combined with lots of other Harry Potter spots on this list – particularly 10 Downing Street, which is only a few minutes walk away.
House of MinaLima
This is a slightly different London Harry Potter place – it’s not a filming location or a place that’s mentioned in the books. Located in Soho, the House of MinaLima is a shop and museum run by the graphic design duo who worked on the films, and it’s a pretty extraordinary place to visit.
Visiting this treasure trove of artistic wonders is the perfect way for fans to bring the wizarding world to life. As you enter this gallery, you’ll discover some of the coolest graphic props used in the films.
Marvel at the meticulously crafted Hogwarts acceptance letters and explore the enchanting maps and illustrations – the incredible level of detail displayed in each prop will transport you straight into the magical realm.
If you weren’t already convinced to visit, the onsite shop sells arguably the best Harry Potter souvenirs you’ll find in the entirety of London!
Lincoln’s Inn Fields
The neighborhood Holborn (located in the borough of Camden) is home to the largest public square in London, Lincoln’s Inn Fields. An interesting accolade, sure, but that’s probably not enough to make you want to visit… unless you’re a Harry Potter fan, that is!
This street of quaint Georgian buildings was used as the exterior filming location for No.12 Grimmauld Place in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Keep in mind if you visit though – you won’t be able to see No.12 itself, as it’s not visible to muggles!
Great Scotland Yard
Central London is home to a street virtually any Potterhead will recognize – it’s one of the most iconic London Harry Potter places. Great Scotland Yard was used in both Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 as the visitor’s entrance to the Ministry of Magic.
Even without the prop red phone booth used by Harry and Arthur Weasley to descend into the ministry, you’ll be able to recognize this spot easily. The iconic architecture is very familiar to Potter fans, and the location of the street is easy to find.
It’s completely free to visit, and the street doesn’t get too busy, so it’s a great photo spot. Great Scotland Yard should be on every fan’s list of Potter places in London to visit!
St. Paul’s Cathedral
It might be surprising to find out that the Hogwarts divination staircase, with its beautiful architecture and spiral design, wasn’t built as a set – it’s a real location, and you can visit it at the famous St. Pauls Cathedral in Central London.
St Paul’s Cathedral is one of the country’s most famous churches, and its iconic white dome makes up a very recognizable part of the city’s skyline. But for Harry Potter fans, that’s not the only reason they’ll want to visit.
The 528-step spiral staircase was used by the Warner Bros team when filming Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, in the scene where Professor Trelawney tells Hermoine that she doesn’t possess the art of divination. She storms off down the staircase, followed by Harry and Ron.
The design team added some additional stained glass windows to make the staircase more Hogwarts-esque, but for the most part – the staircase is exactly as it was in the film! This is a surreal place to visit and experience the magic of Harry Potter in London, and you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported right into the Wizarding World.
Tickets to visit the Geometric Staircase aren’t included in the usual entry fee for the Cathedral, but you can book onto the guided Triforium Tour for a small additional cost if you want to tour the staircase.
Borough Market
Borough Market is well known as a bustling food market located in the heart of London. But did you know it was also featured as a filming location in the Harry Potter movies? In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron was filmed at the market’s blue door on Stoney Street.
As well as this, parts of the area around the market were used as Diagon Alley in the same movie. It’s easy to find the Leaky Cauldron’s iconic blue door as you explore the market, and the bustling stalls and vibrant atmosphere of the busy market add an extra touch of magic to the experience – you can imagine Harry stepping into Diagon Alley when you’re standing there.
While you may not find magical shops selling wands or spellbooks, you can easily find stalls selling some butterbeer-inspired treats, like butterbeer fudge or butterbeer-flavored cupcakes.
Bonus: Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
No London Harry Potter list would be complete without mentioning the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, which is located in the suburb of Leavesden, just outside of the city. A visit here is a must for any Harry Potter fan.
You’ll have the chance to step inside the actual sets, see the original props and costumes, and even walk in the footsteps of the cast as they filmed the iconic movies. You’ll marvel at the intricate details of the Great Hall, explore the cozy Gryffindor common room, and peek inside Dumbledore’s office.
You’ll also have the opportunity to learn about the filmmaking process and see how special effects and animatronics were used to bring the magical world of Harry Potter to life.
The tour is an immersive experience that transports you into the wizarding world, allowing you to experience the magic of Harry Potter firsthand. You can pose for photos on the Hogwarts Express, walk down Diagon Alley, and even sample some butterbeer.
Exploring the various sets and exhibits is the perfect way to gain a deeper appreciation for the incredible amount of work and creativity that went into bringing this beloved series to life on screen. Plus, no matter how much of a die-hard Potterhead you are – you’ll definitely learn a new fact or two.
Visiting the Warner Bros Studio Tour in London as a Harry Potter fan is a must-do experience for anyone who loves the series – it offers a chance to see the magic come to life before your eyes.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or simply someone who appreciates good storytelling and world-building, the studio tour is a memorable experience that you won’t forget.
London truly is a magical destination for Harry Potter fans, with its abundance of iconic locations that bring the wizarding world to life. From the bustling streets of Diagon Alley to the enchanting architectural beauty of the Hogwarts Divination Staircase, exploring these Harry Potter places in London is a journey filled with wonder and nostalgia – for both muggles and wizards alike.
Check out our vlog from visiting the Harry Potter WB Studio Tour!
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