I have a bucket list of real life Harry Potter locations. I honestly doubt I will ever get round to them all, although living in the UK, I am luckily closer to them than millions of Potterheads and have already been to quite a few. So, if you’re a fan and are coming to the UK, here are the best Harry Potter locations.
1 The ELEPHANT HOUSE, EDINBURGH
This wonderful little coffee house provided some writing sanctuary for JK Rowling when she was living in Scotland, almost penniless, and coming up with the idea for the most beloved wizarding tale of all time.
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2 ALNWICK CASTLE, NORTHUMBERLAND
Alnwick Castle provides the backdrop for the scenes outside Hogwarts where Harry and his fellow classmates have their very first broomstick flying lessons.
3 LEADENHALL MARKET , LONDON
Head to Leadenhall Market and you will find a familiar Diagon Alley feel, fitting seeing as this is where the front of the Leaky Cauldron scenes were filmed!
4 The JACOBITE, SCOTLAND
A ride on the Jacobite steam train will take you through some familiar valleys and over familiar bridges that serves as the route for the amazing Hogwarts Express in the films.
5 BLACK PARK COUNTRY PARK, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
Black Park in Iver was the filming location for scenes in the creepy Forbidden Forest. Hopefully you won't find any giant spiders like Harry did!
6 KINGS CROSS STATION,
Kings Cross is the iconic location of platform 9 ¾, and a special trolley, stuck halfway in to the wall has even been installed for ultimate photo purposes!
7 BODLEIAN LIBRARY, OXFORD
Many of the wonderful Hogwarts library scenes where filmed in this real life library owned by the University of Oxford. It feels just as magical in person!
8 CHRIST CHURCH OXFORD
While you are in Oxford, you will also want to visit the dining halls at Christ Church College, the filming location of all the Great Hall scenes!
9 HARROW SCHOOL HALL, HARROW
Harrow Hall is home to the room where Professor Flitwick taught the students charms, including Hermione’s infamous pronunciation of wingardium levi-O-SAA.
10 MILLENNIUM BRIDGE, LONDON
The Millennium Bridge being destroyed by Death Eaters is one of the most upsetting scenes in Harry Potter, but don’t worry, you can visit it still very much in tact!
11 LONDON ZOO, LONDON
Remember when Harry charmed that huge snake in the first book/movie? You can visit that very reptile house at the historic London Zoo in Regents Park!
12 12, PICKET POST CLOSE in BRACKNELL,
This is the actual house that was used in the films to represent 4 Privet Drive, the home of the Dursleys where Harry was never anything but miserable!
13 GOATHLAND STATION, NORTH YORKSHIRE
This quaint railway station in North Yorkshire, England was used in the movies to be Hogsmeade Station.
14 LACOCK ABBEY, WILTSHIRE
Eagle eyed Potter movie fans will recognize the alley of this famous abbey as being used for certain Hogwarts exterior scenes in both Chamber Of Secrets and The Half Blood Prince.
15 MALHAM COVE, YORKSHIRE
This stunning area of natural beauty served as the location for the camp that Harry and Hermione set up together for a large portion of the first Deathly Hallows instalment.
16 GLENFINNAN VIADUCT , SCOTLAND
Remember that scene where Harry nearly fell out the flying car? The filming of the scene of the boys chasing the Hogwarts Express took place over Glenfinnan Viaduct.
17 GLOUCESTER CATHEDRAL, GLOUCESTER
A number of scenes were filmed in this glorious church, particularly the cloisters. Remember when Ginny wrote her message about the Heir of Slytherin?
18 AUSTRALIA HOUSE, LONDON
The magnificent exhibition hall of Australia House was used as the interior of Gringott’s Bank.
19 SWINLEY FOREST, WINDSOR
The forest in Windsor Great Park (the rounds around Windsor Castle) was used for scenes in the first Deathly Hallows.
20 QUEENSWAY TUNNEL, LIVERPOOL
This is the UK's longest road tunnel and runs under the River Mersey. It was the filming location for the thrilling motorbike chase in The Deathly Hallows. you can visit.
