You are never too old for magic. This rule applies especially for those Potterheads who just cannot get enough of the movies, books, and the play. London is the perfect destination for said Potterheads, as the majority of the filming takes place is this massive city!
There are a crazy amount to visit, so I didn’t have time to get to them all, but here’s a run down of the places I made it to.
1. Tower Bridge
In the movies, Tower Bridge is featured in The Order of the Phoenix when Harry Potter and the Order fly to Number 12 Grimauld Place. It’s an impressive structure, and a really iconic part of the London skyline.
2. Leadenhall Market
This location is where many scenes of the exterior of Diagon Alley were filmed and where the first Leaky Cauldron was filmed (after the Prisoner of Azkaban, the film location changed).
3. St. Paul’s Cathedral
Harry Potter is the only movie series and movie to ever receive permission to film in this cathedral. Inside of the cathedral, there is a winding staircase to the dome. This staircase is filmed in the Prisoner of Azkaban when Hermione gets frustrated in Professor Trelawney’s class and her crystal ball rolls down the stairs. Harry then goes and retrieves it.
4. Westminster Tube Station
In The Order of the Phoenix Harry Potter and Mr. Weasley are shown using the Westminster Tube Station to go to the Ministry of Magic after Harry was expelled from Hogwarts.
5. Knockturn Alley
In The Chamber of Secrets (and every Harry Potter movie with Knockturn Alley), Goodwin’s Court is used as Knockturn Alley. This creepy alley way, in the movies, was filled with Dark Arts shops. This was not the place you would want to be, especially if you are Harry Potter and accidentally end up here instead of Diagon Alley!
6. Scotland Yard
It was this corner where Ron Weasley was seen peering around in the Deathly Hallows Pt. 1. In the Scotland Yard general area, this is where the gang takes the polyjuice potion, runs down to the horse monument, and then flushes themselves down the toilet to the Ministry of Magic. In The Order of the Phoenix this area is also shown, but with a red telephone box used to dial the Ministry of Magic. That red telephone box, sadly did not exist in real life.
7. Trafalgar Square
When the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2 was released, this square was home to the world’s largest movie premiere (over 100,000 Potterheads were invited to attend!) and world’s longest red carpet. This location was also used in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince when the Death Eaters swooped over the square.
8. Millennium Bridge
This famous London bridge was used in the beginning of the Half-Blood Prince when the Death Eater fight occurred. Also, the bridge is located right beside the London School for Boys, which coincidentally Daniel Radcliffe attended for four months.
9. Diagon Alley
While this is not the location of the Diagon Alley in the movies, Cecil Court is what inspired J.K. Rowling’s creation of Diagon Alley. For the book lovers out there, here is the only street in London that you need to visit.
10. Palace Theatre
This is where the new Harry Potter and the Cursed Child play is shown! Unfortunately Potterheads, tickets to the play are sold out until October. But, on Fridays, they release 40 extra tickets for the following Friday, so there’s still a chance!
11. Whitehall
Whitehall has been the site of England’s main government offices since the establishment of Henry VIII’s court at Whitehall Palace in the 1530’s. While not in the movies, in the Half-Blood Prince, this location is mentioned when Cornelieus Finch speaks to the Prime Minister about the return of He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named.
12. Borough Market
As mentioned before, the Leaky Cauldron changed locations after the third movie. The new location was in front of Borough Market, where the Black Knight bus dropped Harry off.
13. National Portrait Gallery
Both royals and non-royals alike have their portraits housed here. You’ll find Daniel Radcliffe among them in here! He was the youngest non-royal ever to be placed in here when he was just 16.
13. Platform 9 3/4
Last but not least is the famous Platform 9 3/4 at King’s Cross where Harry and his friends ran through the magical wall with their trollies. Once through, the majestic Hogwarts Express takes them on their journey to wizarding school! In real life there’s a track between platform 9 and 10, but you can get a great
As you can see, there are plenty of locations to scout out! Have fun finding them and enjoy the sights around as well! There is plenty of magic still in London!
Thanks to Travel blogger Whitney Spake for writing this article for all you Potter fanatics!
Check out her blog: Where in the World is Whitney
You can check out her instagram here
Planning your trip to London?
Find out more about Clink78 and Clink261, or visit our group accommodation page to find out more about our rates and best deals.
