Harry Potter is the book series written in a café by a single mum who had ‘made a mess of her life’ that went on to become one of the biggest global franchises in history.
Seven books, eight films, a whole theme park and plenty of other spin-offs and products later, Time estimated the Potter franchise was worth $25 billion (approx. £21.3 billion) in 2016.
Whether you revisit the books each year or find yourself watching the movies over and over, you might want to get more involved in the action.
Short of waving a wand and making magic happen, a walking tour of some of the locations used in the films is the next best thing.
Here, we’ve rounded up a list of spots around London where you can revisit the magic of Harry Potter.
Harry Potter London locations
There are plenty of places all around London that featured throughout the Harry Potter films.
This walking tour guide will let you visit them to get the most magical of pictures for your social media, but what are some of the locations and how did we see them in the films?
King’s Cross St Pancras
Fans won’t need much help with this one. King’s Cross is where Harry first meets Ron and the rest of the Weasleys as they help him run through the platform at 9 and ¾ and get to the Hogwarts Express – a pilgrimage fans recreate to this day!
While it’s strongly advised no aspiring witches and wizards run towards any walls at a high speed in real life, there’s still plenty of magic to be found.
There’s a photo op and a Harry Potter shop in the station, and the outside of St Pancras Station featured heavily in the second movie, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, when Harry and Ron had to drive the flying car.
(Euston Road, London, N1 9AL | closest tube: King’s Cross St Pancras)
Claremont Square
Claremont Square for most muggles might just be another building, but fans of Harry Potter will recognise it as the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix.
(23 Claremont Square, Islington, London N1 9LX | closest tube: King’s Cross St Pancras)
Leadenhall Market
It’s already well known as one of London’s oldest markets, but it gets even more enchanting after being used as the entry to Diagon Alley and the street which houses the Leaky Cauldron.
(Gracechurch St, London EC3V 1LT | closest tube: Monument)
Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge is an iconic landmark on its own, but it’s a must-see for Potterheads.
Tower Bridge features heavily in the Deathly Hallows, when the Order of the Phoenix attempt to get Harry to safety, flying through London pursued by Voldermort and the Death Eaters.
(Tower Bridge Rd, London SE1 2UP | closest tube: Tower Hill)
The Millennium Bridge
Destroyed by the Death Eaters in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the Millennium Bridge is, fortunately, still standing for Londoners and tourists to walk across today.
(Closest tube: Blackfriars)
Australia House
The glorious marble interior of Australia House became the interior for Gringotts, the wizarding bank run by goblins in the Harry Potter series.
The filming was done inside the building, which is not normally open to the public, although a glimpse of the sumptuous interior can be obtained with a discreet peep through the doors.
What are clearly visible, by looking through the glass doors, are the magnificent crystal chandeliers that are a prominent feature of Gringotts banking hall in the films.
(Strand, London WC2B 4LA | Closest tube stop: Temple)
Goodwin’s Court
Goodwin’s Court was used as the location for Knockturn Alley, and you’ll see why when you visit.
The street is full of small nooks and crannies, as well as lanterns and darkly painted buildings.
(London WC2N 4LL | Closest tube stop: Leicester Square)
London Zoo
The spot where Harry first realises something might not quite be normal with him, London Zoo is a great attraction even without the Potter connotations, but fans will get an extra kick out of it.
It is, after all, where Harry used his burgeoning magic to make the glass disappear at the reptile house and trapped his bullying cousin in there.
And he speaks with the formerly captive snake, which would play a bigger part in the plot in later books…
(ZSL London Zoo, Regent’s Park, Outer Cir, London NW1 4RY | Closest tube: Camden Town)
The House of MinaLima
Situated in the heart of Soho, The House of MinaLima wasn’t actually in the movies but is worth a visit for any fan because the company helped bring the look of Harry Potter to life to begin with.
Graphic designers Miraphora Mina & Eduardo Lima accepted a once in a lifetime job in 2002: helping to design the world of Harry Potter for the film franchise. The duo worked on the style and graphics of all the Potter films, as well as the ongoing Fantastic Beasts series.
(26 Greek St, Soho, London W1D 5DE. Closest tube stops: Tottenham Court Road and Leicester Square)
Harry Potter walking tour suggested route
With the addresses, you’re free to design your own routes, especially if you want to factor in breaks for other sites and things to do.
We’ve also excluded some, like London Zoo, as these are ticketed attractions you’ll want to cut aside plenty of time to visit.
However, here’s what we suggest as a possible route:
- Start – King’s Cross
- The official Harry Potter shop and 9 and 3/4 photo opportunity is inside the station
- Walk outside. St Pancras’ exterior was used for the flying car shots.
- From St Pancras, a 15 minute / 0.6 mile walk to Claremont Square
- 8 minute / 0.3 mile walk to Angel station. Hop on the Northern line. Go 3 stops to Bank.
- From Bank station, 7 minute / 0.3 mile walk to Leadenhall Market
- Next, a 19 minute / 0.8 mile walk to Tower Bridge
- 29 minute / 1.3 mile walk to Millennium Bridge (luckily there’s plenty of other things to see on this walk!)
- 20 minute / 0.9 mile walk to Australia House (you’ll also get to walk past iconic landmarks like St Paul’s and Fleet Street)
- 14 minute / 0.6 mile walk to Goodwin’s Court
- 15 minute / 0.6 mile walk to House of MinaLima
- While at the House of MinaLima in Soho, don’t forget to also check out the Palace Theatre, home to the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child play
MORE : Harry Potter superfan is restoring an old Ford into the Weasley family’s flying car
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