9 Harry Potter London Film Locations to Visit this Winter
- Kathryn Winter
- Nov 10, 2021
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 11, 2021
Relive the magic from the movies as we guide you through London’s most iconic Harry Potter film locations this festive season
Written by Kathryn Winter Thursday 11 November 2021
For the ninth year running Warner Bros. is transforming its spellbinding Harry Potter Studio Tour into the spectacle that is ‘Hogwarts in the Snow’. And for the first time, the festivities are expanding deep into the Forbidden Forest too.
But for all you Potterheads who didn’t manage to ‘accio’ a ticket or feel the Studio Tour is a little out of your budget as we approach this festive season, then you needn’t get your wand in a knot because we have the next best thing; a free, makeshift Harry Potter winter-walking-tour. So wrap up warm, make yourself a Butterbeer and walk in the footsteps of your favourite characters as you relive some of the most iconic London scenes. Let’s just hope it snows to really give the studios a run for its money.
Photography: Kathryn Winter
Photograph: Kathryn Winter
"All students must be equipped with: One standard size Two Pewter Cauldron…”
Walk straight into Leadenhall Market exactly as Harry and Hagrid did on their way to purchase Hogwarts school supplies in the Philosopher’s Stone.
Photograph: Kathryn Winter
2. Diagon Alley
Wander through this narrow passage between St. Martins Lane and Charing Cross Road to experience what it’s like for wizards to walk straight off the streets of London and into the Wizarding World. However, this eerie alleyway feels more like you’ve accidentally ‘apparated’ into Knockturn Alley rather than Diagon Alley, as Harry did in the Chamber of Secrets.
Photograph: Kathryn Winter
3. The Leaky Cauldron 1.0
The exterior of this shop was painted black and used as the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron. Harry and Hagrid visited its secret passageway to Diagon Alley in the first film, except, unfortunately for us Muggles, it's purely an Opticians.
Photograph: Kathryn Winter
4. The Leaky Cauldron 2.0
Stop off where the Knight Bus dropped Harry outside the Leaky Cauldron in the Prisoner of Azkaban. Unfortunately, you won’t find a pub full of wizards. However, you will find one of London’s best food markets, just “make sure you eat the pea soup before it eats you!”
Photograph: Kathryn Winter
With a bit of luck, you won’t be caught in a Death Eater attack as you cross.
Photograph: Kathryn Winter
6. Gringotts Bank
Located in Aldwych, you will find the inspiration for Gringotts Bank. If you wander around the building and peer through the windows, you might be lucky enough to get a glimpse of the marble floor and crystal chandeliers seen within the movies.
Photograph: Kathryn Winter
Just about every tube scene within the movies was filmed in Westminster Underground Station.
Photograph: Kathryn Winter
8. Entrance to the Ministry of Magic
Now you just need some Polyjuice Potion and a lock of hair from a wizard to smuggle your way into The Ministry of Magic. Just don’t get caught up in your character and snog someone else’s wife like Ron did!
Photograph: Kathryn Winter
9. Platform 9¾
And lastly, for what might be the most iconic location of them all… Platform 9¾. After revelling in the beauty of the exterior of St Pancras International Station, expecting to see a Ford Anglia fly past at any moment, get ready to ask the question you’ve been dying to ask: “Excuse me, Excuse me sir, could you tell where I might find platform 9¾?”.
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