Twenty years on, the magic of Harry Potter is still alive. Whether you have read the books or watched the films, the Harry Potter story always excites its fans. What if you could visit those Harry Potter places in London where every magical scene was shot? It would be more exciting than you can ever imagine.
Yes, these places are real, and you can visit them to experience the everlasting magic of the wizard world. From actual Harry Potter places in London to themed restaurants and hotels, several attractions in the city will recall the movie scenes. We have put together some of the best London Harry Potter places that will take you to the magical world.
Harry Potter Filming Locations In London
If you are a Harry Potter fan, your London itinerary must have a room for Harry Potter things. Here are some top Harry Potter attractions in London that you should visit to make your tour experience the best.
1. Platform 9 ¾
When it comes to Harry Potter places in London, nothing is more recognizable than Platform 9 ¾. It is the same place where Harry fumbles his way into the wizarding world from Kings’s Cross Station, and Hogwarts Express departs. In real life, you can find the location in the station concourse. You can create the iconic Harry Potter scene by standing in front of the luggage trolley. The trolley is accessible during the King’s Cross Station’s operating hours, which are 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., so make your arrangements accordingly because the place will be crowded during these hours.
2. St. Pancras International Station
While many scenes featured on Platform 9 ¾ inside the Kings Cross Station, the exterior shot instead created St. Pancras International Station, located just next to the King Cross Station entrance. It is one of the Harry Potter places in London that should be on your itinerary if you want to see where the Weasleys parked their flying car that Harry and Ron later take off for their misadventures.
3. Leadenhall Market
Another location where Harry Potter was filmed is Leadenhall Market. It is one of the famous Harry Potter places in London where outdoor shots of the movie and all the colorful shops and emporiums were filmed. While you can not find Ollivander’s Wand shop now, you can visit several other unique shops and restaurants created on the same theme. One thing you can still explore is the optician shop ‘The Glass House’, which was first used as an entrance to the Leaky Cauldron in the ‘Philosopher’s Stone’. Leadenhall Market is one of the Harry Potter places in London that will remind you of many Harry Potter scenes.
4. Borough Market
As the story took a darker turn in the third part of Harry Potter, so did the filming locations. All the bright locations were replaced by rustic places and Borough Market was one of them. It is the oldest and most famous food market in real life, but it served a different purpose in Harry Potter. The flower shop was the new entrance for Leaky Cauldron, first seen in ‘Prisoner of Azkaban’, part of Harry Potter. Borough Market is one of the Harry Potter places in London popular for tours.
5. Shaftesbury Avenue
You probably remember a scene from the Harry Potter part first where Harry, Hermione and Ron were attacked by a death eater. It is the same place in London where the scene happened, just a few steps away from Piccadilly tube station. This is one of the Harry Potter places in London where the trio – Harry, Hermione and Ron – could not order a cappuccino. But do not worry; you will have plenty of time to grab a cup of coffee and sip while recalling that scene. Remember to take some pictures and enjoy the entertainment and shopping.
6. Millennium Bridge and St. Paul’s Cathedral
London Harry Potter places are popular among tourists for their real identity. Millennium Bridge and St. Paul’s Cathedral are interconnected. Here you will see a mesmerising spiral staircase of the 17th century featured in the ‘Prisoner of Azkaban’ and ‘Divination Staircase’ where Harry and Ron can be seen leaving Professor Trelawney’s classroom. Visit these Harry Potter places in London, where you will learn more about Harry Potter during a one-two hour tour.
7. Reptile House and London Zoo
The Reptile House and London Zoo are two Harry Potter places London, to see where Dudley was stuck behind the glass while the snake slithered away. You can also tour the rest of the zoo to explore the exotic animals. If you are a Harry Potter fan and a nature admirer too, this location can cater to your requirements.
8. Westminster Tube Station
Westminster Tube Station is among the Harry Potter places in London where Harry travels in the Chamber of the Phoenix. The station was closed for the entire day during the filming, but now tourists can visit here to see what it looks like in real life. This is one of the busiest London Harry Potter places, which is also a well-known attraction where tourists from around the world flock to explore the architecture.
9. The Leaky Cauldron
Connected with Leadenhall Market, Leaky Cauldron is one of the Harry Potter places in London to must-see. Here, you will find the secret wizard’s pub, The Leaky Cauldron, an optician in real life. You should visit here to enjoy the Harry Potter magic in Old Tom’s Bar, hidden underneath Leadenhall Market.
10. Gringotts Bank
The only major financial institution in the wizarding world, located near the intersection of Knockturn Alley and Diagon Alley. Gringotts Bank is among the Harry Potter places in London, which is actually hidden to prevent stray muggles from accidentally walking in. The bank used to store money in various forms, including treasures, relics, or even extremely dangerous items. You can visit here to see the white marble building with impressive stonework.
We hope you enjoyed this imaginary tour of Harry Potter places in London. If you wish to experience them in real life, prepare your itinerary now and book your tickets.
We hope you will enjoy a magical trip. Have fun!