Last Updated on: 3rd April 2023, 11:29 pm
Looking for the best Harry Potter places to visit?
Most Potterheads dream of the day when they would receive the written invitation to Hogwarts and becoming witches and wizards.
Although this may still be just a fantasy, Harry Potter enthusiasts can visit Hogwarts, as well as the many gorgeous places where the movies were filmed at.
Today we’ll talk about the seven places all Potterheads must visit at least once in their lifetime, and luckily, all are accessible and fully available to muggles, as well as for little witches, wizards, and magical creatures!
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For travel guidebooks to have with you during your trip, I always pick one or two from Rick Steves and Lonely Planet.
Harry Potter: Places to Visit and Things to Do for Serious Fans!
Here we go!
Harry Potter England & Scotland Fan Tours
Before going on solo trips to Wiltshire, Gloucester, and various beautiful places in London, all Potterheads are encouraged to take the dedicated HP England & Scotland tours.
These tailored, heavily curated, yet spontaneous and exquisite experiences offer full immersion into the wonderful world of Harry Potter and his friends.
The main reason why these curated tours are slightly more advantageous in comparison to visiting standalone locations is that the fans will have the opportunity to be taken on a unique trip backed by interactive storyline-driven expeditions across the most notable places where the movies were shot.
Fans can expect to visit the infamous Platform Nine and Three Quarters, observe owl handlers and their pets perform various tricks, shop for HP gear, merch, and accessories, as well as enjoy some of the most gorgeous views that this corner of the world has to offer.
If you’ve ever taken a Harry Potter House Quiz out of wonder which school you belonged to, you will get an opportunity to don the Sorting Hat and find out while the guide conducts an interview.
Full disclosure: I’m quite the proud Slytherin!
Each tour is unique, and each expedition is different, but what’s important is that you will certainly be able to meet dozens of like-minded Potterheads, and even arrange tour groups according to the houses of magic each of you belongs to.
Warner Brothers Studio in Leavesden, England
The place that requires the least imagination to recreate an actual piece of the Harry Potter universe is the WB Studio in Leavesden.
Namely, this particular studio is a tiny model-version of the gorgeous Hogwarts located on the outskirts of London.
Although the students, Fluffy, Hagrid, and the teachers aren’t still there, mannequins representing them are standing guard against the Death Eaters while keeping a watchful eye on the many props that are scattered around the place.
Additionally, Warner Brothers are also organizing studio tours for Potterheads, enthusiasts, parents, and families while the guides are always eager to point out little fun facts regarding the scenery and props, as well as tiny nuggets of information in terms of iconic moments that occurred on the set.
Alnwick Castle in Northumberland, England
Flying is something only witches and wizards (aside from certain magical beasts) from the Harry Poter universe are privy to, or at least that’s what we’ve all been led to believe.
The gorgeous Alnwick Castle sitting atop a small hill in Northumberland is the precise spot where Madame Hooch used to teach young Harry and his friends how to handle their broomsticks, fly, and ultimately partake in Quidditch matches.
If you’re loving the sport as much as the HP cast did, you will be able to engage in broomstick training courses led by a fully costumed professional guide.
You will also get the opportunity to hear wonderful behind-the-scene anecdotes and stories, as well as be reminded about the scenes that were filmed at the castle.
Glenfinnan Viaduct in Lochaber, Scotland
Arguably one of the most classic scenes of all is the aerial footage of the Hogwarts Express traveling along the countryside.
This particular scene was featured in multiple HP movies, and due to its once-in-a-lifetime landscape, it’s one of the top items on the bucket list of most Potterheads.
The Jacobite train is essentially fulfilling the role of the esteemed Hogwarts Express, transporting fans and tourists across Scotland and allowing them to see what the Hogwarts students saw as they were transported into their new, magical lives.
Durham Cathedral
The majority of scenes taken indoors were filmed inside churches, castles, and cathedrals, as they portray the medieval-like fantasy setting of the Harry Potter world the best.
The Durham Cathedral is one of the most prominent locations for fans of McGonagall’s transfiguration classes, as they took place precisely at this venue.
Obviously, the cathedral was slightly redecorated with appropriate props, so you may need a minute or two to recognize the scene; this is mainly because the cathedral’s original furniture was replaced with Hogwarts furniture, although the architecture is and was the same.
King’s Cross Station in London, England
If you wish to test your luck and see whether you’re a wizard or not by jumping head-first into the wall of Platform Nine and Three Quarters, you’ll find it at the King’s Cross Station in London.
All tourists and Potterheads will be taken here at some point during the HP England & Scotland tours, but the groups rarely stick for long.
Enthusiasts and fans who want to spend a bit more time enjoying the view, take pictures, and even wait for Hogwarts Express to come can do so by visiting one of the world’s most beautiful train stations.
Leadenhall Market in London
One of the most iconic Wizard pubs in the franchise, the infamous Leaky Cauldron, is located in the Leadenhall Market in London.
This is the location that all Potterheads should want to visit, as the place is amazing in its own right, even outside of the Harry Poter lore.
Gorgeous architecture, massive walls, and centuries of tradition grace London’s esteemed market, although you should be prepared to see crowds of thousands upon thousands of people flocking there, searching for the precise location of Leaky Cauldron as well.
Sadly, it’s been replaced with an optometrist office, so you won’t need to search far and wide. If you need to get your eyesight checked, you can schedule an appointment and head inside; most fans ask to go to the bathroom in hopes of seeing the Diagon Alley behind it, but with little luck.
We hope that this guide was useful to you and that you’ve learned something new today as an avid Potterhead. Make sure you are staying safe in these times we are all going through and have a good one, guys!