From filming areas to magical inspiration, London is a should for Harry Potter followers – and since introducing my daughter to the books, I obtained an excuse to revisit a string of Harry Potter locations in London, to go along with my record of the perfect Harry Potter days out within the UK.
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As a result of in case you love the wizarding world, you’ll find numerous Harry Potter film areas in London, plus locations that are talked about within the books (whether or not they made it into the Harry Potter films or not) and even historic spots that are thought to have impressed JK Rowling.
There are an enormous variety of Harry Potter excursions in London too, together with ones appropriate for youths, if you wish to pack as many areas right into a single day as doable… to not point out the Warner Bros studio tour nor far exterior the town.
However in case you’re searching for the perfect Harry Potter place in London with youngsters to discover as a household (or to discover by yourself!), right here’s my decide of the highest 19 – plus a number of magical bonuses.
King’s Cross, London
Begin your Harry Potter tour of London by heading to the station to board the Hogwarts Specific, at Platform 9 ¾ in King’s Cross station.
OK so it’s not the precise Hogwarts Specific, however you may pose for images with a baggage trolley part-way by way of the wall.
There’s normally an enormous queue – that is one in every of London’s greatest Harry Potter points of interest – nevertheless it normally shrinks later within the day. Or flip up brilliant and early (or arrive late) with your individual digital camera and props when the store has shut to keep away from ready. Platforms 4 and 5 had been really used for filming if you wish to test them out too.
Save a while to browse within the Harry Potter store, which is likely one of the greatest locations to purchase Harry Potter souvenirs in London, whether or not you wish to purchase your own home scarf, wand, chocolate frogs, Niffler and different wizard paraphernalia – some unique to the store. They even ship in case you get actually carried away.
Searching for the bridge that Harry and Hagrid stroll over on their strategy to the Hogwarts Specific? It’s not at King’s Cross… and even in London! As a substitute, try my prime locations to go in York for Harry Potter followers
St Pancras, London
If you wish to benefit from the picturesque view seen when Harry and Ron flew off over King’s Cross within the Weasleys’ Ford Anglia (from floor stage), the spectacular neo-gothic constructing is the St Pancras Renaissance resort on the St Pancras Worldwide.
It’s simple to pop by in case you’re subsequent door at King’s Cross posing at Platform 9 3/4. It’s additionally near the British Library which has a group of wizarding books, together with a scroll displaying find out how to create your individual Thinker’s stone, in addition to different books on the historical past of magic.
For extra nice youngsters’ books about London, try my prime picks for all ages
Leadenhall Market, London
Who wouldn’t wish to step by way of the magical entrance into Diagon Alley? The true life movie location just isn’t off Charing Cross Street although (though you would additionally wander down that road whilst you’re in London, to comply with in Harry’s footsteps within the books).
As a substitute Leadenhall Market, the Victorian coated market within the Metropolis of London was used for the road of wizarding retailers within the first film.
And the way in which in to The Leaky Cauldron? You want the curved blue door subsequent to the optician in Bull’s Head Passage which at the moment homes Two Eyes Espresso.
The Market Porter Pub, London
This pub close to Borough Market was reworked into The Third Hand ebook retailer within the Prisoner of Azkaban, whereas the constructing subsequent door was additionally used as The Leaky Cauldron.
The Market Porter opens early for the market merchants, so you would even begin your exploring from 6am in case you can’t wait to see all of the Harry Potter locations in London (otherwise you’re battling jetlag).
Take a look at my four-page mini information to Harry Potter’s London, together with recommendations on among the greatest locations to go to, filming areas, wizarding trivia and even among the inspirations behind the tales.
Cecil Courtroom
There are numerous streets across the nation which declare to have impressed JK Rowling to create Diagon Alley, from Exeter to Edinburgh, in addition to York. However Cecil Courtroom in London is one other contender for the real-life Diagon Alley.
It’s set simply off Charing Cross Street, because the magic road is within the books, and has a string of weirdly great retailers, promoting books, maps and antiques, full with an old school gasoline lamp within the centre.
In addition to the road’s magical really feel, it’s additionally residence to Watkins Books, based in 1893 and based mostly at Cecil Courtroom since 1901, claiming the title of the oldest occult and mystical bookshop on this planet.
You might even be capable to purchase dragon’s blood right here (a dried resin powder moderately than something extra magical…)
Not all of the store house owners take pleasure in having crowds of Harry Potter followers visiting, so do keep in mind that they’re making an attempt to run a enterprise
Goodwin’s Courtroom
When you’ve wandered alongside Diagon Alley, it’s time to courageous Knockturn Alley – or the road that claims to have impressed it. Goodwin’s Courtroom, simply throughout St Martin’s Lane from Cecil Courtroom, dates again to the seventeenth century.
It has its personal gaslamps to gentle the slim road, lined with bow-fronted homes and retailers – though you gained’t discover flesh-eating slug repellent on sale.
The road has additionally been named as one other contender for Diagon Alley, however the darker atmospheric really feel means it’s simpler to think about Borgin & Burke’s than Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes right here.
Home of MinaLima
You’ll know the work of graphic design duo Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima – aka MinaLima – in case you’ve watched a single Harry Potter movie. The pair had been the brains behind the whole lot from the Marauder’s Map to packets of Bertie Bott’s Each Flavour Beans.
And you may go to their London gallery and store in Soho – try the little exhibition with data on how they created the designs, and a few originals on show, earlier than shopping for a number of extra Harry Potter souvenirs within the store.
Initially at Greek Avenue in Soho, it moved to close by Wardour Avenue a number of years again (no vanishing spells concerned). Entry is free though in case you make it out with out shopping for something, you’re extra strong-willed than I’m…
The Millennium Bridge, London
It’s arduous to neglect the dramatic begin of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, displaying the Millennium Bridge between St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tate Trendy collapsing after the Loss of life Eaters assault.
The wobbly bridge, because it’s recognized affectionately to Londoners, gained’t be wobbling or crumbling on account of darkish magic, however you get an incredible view alongside the Thames, and from the South Financial institution to St Paul’s cathedral on the north in case you cross it.
St Paul’s cathedral
When you’ve crossed the Millennium Bridge, there are Harry Potter hyperlinks to St Paul’s Cathedral itself – head inside to take a look at Wren’s Geometric Staircase within the south-west tower which appeared Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
The staircase additionally doubled as one in every of many at Hogwarts, seen when Ron and Harry go away Professor Trelawney’s divination class after Hermione has walked out.
You should purchase tickets to go to St Paul’s Cathedral right here, together with a reduction utilizing my code MUMMYTRAVELS6 in case you ebook by way of my hyperlink
Australia Home, London
Whereas you will get an unforgettable glimpse of Gringotts Wizarding Financial institution on the Warner Bros Studio tour, full with goblins, the workplace of the Australian Excessive Fee stood in for the Diagon Alley establishment within the early films.
This is likely one of the tougher Harry Potter filming areas in London to go to due to the safety concerned on the ornately grand Edwardian constructing on the Strand.
However take ID, cross your fingers and ask the safety guards very properly for a fast look inside and also you could be fortunate.
Claremont Sq., London
Wander round Claremont Sq. in Islington and it’s not arduous to imagine you’re really in Grimmauld Place – numbers 23-29 turned the outside of Sirius Black’s household residence, headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix.
The sq.’s odd form has its personal secret to inform, courtesy of an 18th century water reservoir which was later coated over.
Westminster tube station
When Harry and Mr Weasley head to the Ministry of Magic for Harry’s listening to, you see them taking the tube – to Mr Weasley’s delight and bewilderment – so as to arrive in totally non-magical vogue.
The station they must navigate is Westminster – not a protracted stroll from Scotland Place (learn on), the supposed website of the Ministry itself.
Evidently, there’s nothing notably magical about it, particularly at rush hour, however you may simply arrive or go away right here in case you’re visiting each single one of many Harry Potter locations in London.
The practice station the place Harry meets Dumbledore (after studying the newspaper within the cafe in Half-Blood Prince) is Surbiton station – it’s simply exterior London and doesn’t actually have the flavour of magic both, so most likely not price going out of your strategy to uncover until you’re decided to see each final location from the Harry Potter movies! If that’s the case, head to platforms 1 and a pair of
Scotland Place
The pink telephone field the place Harry discovered the customer’s entrance to the Ministry of Magic stood on the nook the place Scotland Place and Nice Scotland Yard meet.
The telephone field itself was a prop (or maybe it’s solely seen to wizards?), so that you’ll have to make use of your creativeness.
Piccadilly Circus
Harry, Hermione and Ron apparate right here to flee the Loss of life Eaters within the Deathly Hallows Half One, so in case you’re ticking all of the Harry Potter London areas off, you must a minimum of stroll by way of.
The scene filmed right here included 300 extras and needed to be shot early within the morning due to the difficulties of shutting Piccadilly Circus down.
In actuality it’s normally a bit much less magical, because it’s one of many metropolis’s busiest junctions, though you do have the well-known illuminated adverts brightening the whole lot up.
Lambeth Bridge
Sadly you may’t assure a journey on the Knight Bus however you may see one of many Harry Potter London areas the place it appeared on display screen, crossing Lambeth Bridge.
In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, that is the place the Knight Bus squeezes between two different very non-magical doubledecker buses because it drives over the bridge.
It’s round a 15-minute stroll from Westminster, so you would additionally simply stroll onto Westminster Bridge and have a look down the river to see it from afar.
Harry Potter strolling tour in London
You gained’t be in need of Harry Potter strolling excursions in London, most of which is able to take you to the primary Potter movie areas listed on this submit.
It’s all the time enjoyable to hitch a gaggle of fellow followers although, and a variety of the tour guides run quizzes or can present you scenes from the movies as you go, for an added bonus.
Take a look at the Tour for Muggles, in addition to this child-friendly Harry Potter strolling tour.
Brit Film Excursions has one other strolling possibility and there’s additionally a free possibility from Strawberry Excursions, in partnership with London with an area.
Extra Harry Potter excursions in London
If you wish to save your ft, or see greater than on a strolling tour alone, do that London Harry Potter tour together with a ship journey.
You may as well be part of a Wizards London Bus tour masking the areas within the capital, on a three-hour tour.
Take a look at my ideas for some extra of the perfect bus excursions in London with youngsters right here
The Palace Theatre, London
This West Finish theatre is the venue for the fabulous play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Baby – Elements I and II are operating till September 2026, then there’ll be a single condensed efficiency changing it.
With extra performances, you don’t have to ebook months prematurely any extra, though you’ll discover the perfect costs in case you do – and through peak season, it’s price maintaining a tally of the location for returned and cancelled tickets coming again on sale in case you’re making an attempt to go to last-minute.
There’s additionally a lottery through the TodayTix app to be in with an opportunity of two tickets for £40 – so in case you’re in simple travelling distance of London, it’s properly price enjoying. You by no means know in case you’ll get fortunate in any case (it took me properly over six months of enjoying just about each week till our names got here up).
Beneficial for aged 10+, it’s implausible with youngsters who’re Harry Potter followers, however between the size of time spent on the theatre and some scary moments, it’s not very best for youthful youngsters.
A condensed model can be now carried out in New York, San Francisco, Toronto, Melbourne and Hamburg too.
The Warner Bros Studio Tour, Hertfordshire
Though the Warner Bros studios aren’t in London itself, it’s solely a 20-minute practice journey from Euston (plus the shuttle bus from Watford Junction station) to succeed in the location in Leavesden, Hertfordshire.
And once you’re this shut, there’s no method you must threat lacking this final vacation spot for Harry Potter followers in London – myself included, as I’ve now been a number of occasions with my daughter in addition to visiting alone. Be sure to ebook forward as tickets get snapped up properly prematurely.
Take a look at my full set of ideas for the Harry Potter Studio tour
Permit loads of time to journey broomsticks, drink butterbeer (optionally available!), uncover props, see the Hogwarts Specific, stroll into The Forbidden Forest and watch a dragon rampage by way of Gringotts financial institution.
There are shows galore, and it’s solely once you go to that you simply realise the astonishing element and simply how a lot work has gone into every facet, to not point out an array of magical creatures plus background on how the units and animatronics had been created.
Take a look at hippogriff Buckbeak, whose feathers had been added by hand and saved groomed by the Creature Results workforce, or work together with Dobby the Home Elf. And in case you’ve all the time wished to go to Hogwarts, that is the one place you’ll discover the entire citadel.
There are particular occasions all year long, in winter you may uncover Hogwarts within the Snow or a Darkish Arts theme for Halloween, in addition to different non permanent exhibitions.
When you’re searching for accommodations close to Harry Potter Studios London, try my prime picks, or in case you choose to ebook tickets with a coach switch from London, click on right here or direct through Golden Excursions
Don’t go to: London Zoo
The Zoo itself is a superb day trip in London with youngsters, however in case you’re hoping to take a look at one of the well-known Harry Potter locations in London, you may take this off your record.
Famously Harry will get into dialog with a boa constrictor earlier than realising his magic powers, in a scene filmed within the reptile home at London Zoo in Regent’s Park.
And for years, there was a show to commemorate the scene till the historic reptile home closed in 2023, so that you’ll have to practise your parseltongue elsewhere for now.
For some additional serpent trivia, within the movies, a Burmese python seems as an alternative however the real-life London Zoo tank beforehand held a black mamba.
Eat and sleep Potter
The Georgian Home Resort
You may not be capable to curl up within the Gryffindor dormitory after a protracted day exploring, however the subsequent smartest thing needs to be heading to mattress within the Wizard or Enchanted Chambers on the Georgian Home Resort close to Victoria.
Ebook through reserving.com right here, together with free cancellation
When you’ve refuelled over a wizard afternoon tea, in fact, full with eye of newt scones or completed whipping up your individual potions (aka cocktails and mocktails) in fact…
There’s no official Harry Potter hyperlink however with trunks, cauldrons and four-poster beds, the one factor that’s lacking is an owl.
The Wizard Afternoon tea, Potion making and wand making on the Wizard Exploratorium in Soho has now closed
Hagrid’s Hut
You don’t want a large household to like Hagrid’s Hut in Watford. This two-bedroom house is simply a two miles from the Leavesden studios website, so it’s a fast five-minute drive to take you to the wizarding world.
And in addition to all the same old self-catering services, together with kitchen and washer, there’s a enjoyable Harry Potter theme all through the house – look out for owls dotted round, broomsticks on the partitions and the books to learn as properly, to get you within the temper on your go to.
With a double mattress, bunk beds and a settee mattress, there’s room for 5 which makes it very best for bigger households visiting the Harry Potter Warner Bros Studios. There’s on-street parking as properly.
Click on right here to ebook rooms at Hagrid’s Hut with free cancellation
For extra self-catering flats and accommodations close to Harry Potter studios, try my prime picks
Patronus Appeal, Watford
For one more Harry Potter themed different, two-bed home Patronus Appeal has its personal terrace and backyard, in addition to a settee mattress the lounge, so there’s loads of room to unfold out.
Sleeping 5, there are many little themed touches from the bed-linen to hats and wands dotted round, and it’s solely round 4 miles from the Warner Bros Studios.
There’s additionally free parking, plus a full kitchen with washer, and also you’re lower than two miles from Watford Junction station as properly.
Click on right here to ebook rooms at Patronus Appeal with free cancellation
Extra magical experiences for Harry Potter followers in London
A wizard Escape Room
Might you place the clues collectively to succeed in the Chamber of Secrets and techniques (and escape once more)? When you love the considered Escape rooms, there are at the moment a a few wizarding-themed escape rooms in London.
Escape London’s Magic Emporium (on the group’s Islington location) takes you into Wizarding Faculty, the place you’ll discover glowing potions, enchanted books and wands earlier than having to defeat a monstrous guardian defending a hidden chamber.
Or Enigma Quests Faculty of Witchcraft and Wizardry escape room in Shoreditch is designed to check you on the whole lot from Charms to Potions – solely those that get an Excellent grade will escape! Beneficial for age 8+.
For extra uncommon issues to do in London with youngsters, try my decide of the perfect
Harry Potter photographic exhibition
*EDIT – NOW CLOSED* Giving guests a implausible look behind the scenes and an opportunity to journey a brush, the Harry Potter Photographic Exhibition in Covent Backyard was a implausible strategy to lose your self in Wizarding World trivia.
When you can’t go to any extra, try our assessment to get a style of among the highlights of the Harry Potter picture exhibition with youngsters, from quirky trivia to discovering out how among the most memorable scenes had been created, and images of the forged between filming.
Improbable Beasts exhibition
EDIT – NOW CLOSED Impressed by the Improbable Beasts films, the exhibition on the Pure Historical past Museum in London featured a great serving to of Harry Potter props too – a dragon head and golden egg for starters – in addition to a lot concerning the wizarding world’s different magical creatures.
Whereas it has now ended, take a digital go searching in my assessment of visiting the Improbable Beasts exhibition.
For extra nice Harry Potter days out close to London, head to Oxford for extra nice filming areas, in addition to extra of the perfect UK days out for Harry Potter followers
*final up to date 2026*
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Photographs courtesy Depositphotos/copyright MummyTravels
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