18 Harry Potter Things In London You Must See!
As any Harry Potter fan knows, many scenes from the Harry Potter movies were filmed around the UK, including London.
With London being a key location in the Harry Potter series, it’s no surprise there’s so many Harry Potter things to do around the capital of England.
Planning a visit to London and hoping to see all things Harry Potter?
Wizard or Muggle, I invite you to read on for the top Harry Potter things in London you must see!
Best Harry Potter Things To Do In London
Platform 9 3/4 in King’s Cross Station
Address: Euston Rd, London N1 9AL, UK
Easily the most famous Harry Potter place in London is Platform 9 3/4 in King’s Cross Station.
This platform is the fictional train station which famously whisks Harry and his friends away to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry in Scotland, via the Hogwarts Express.
Platforms 4 and 5 were used for filming throughout the series.
However, following the movies, fans descended upon King’s Cross taking photos between real platforms, amid active travelers.
Eventually King’s Cross Station set up half-trolley in a brick wall under a sign reading “Platform 9 3/4.” This allows fans to snap a famous photo without disturbing the train station’s traffic flow.
The trolley is complete with wands, house scarves, even a professional photographer… and it’s free!
With this being the most famous Harry Potter attraction in London, expect lines. It’s best to visit early in the morning or on a weekday if possible.
Right next to the attraction is The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 3/4. This is set up to look like Ollivander’s Wand Shop and has tons of great goodies.
Tip: St. Pancras International Station, right outside King’s Cross Station, is shown in the background in Harry Potter and the Chamber Secrets. It’s shown as Harry and Ron head off to Hogwarts in a flying Ford Anglia after missing the Hogwarts Express. This is another popular spot to snag a photo!
Last, for those visiting London on September 1st, be sure to stop by King’s Cross for the annual Back to Hogwarts Day.
This is a celebration of young wizards and witches boarding the Hogwarts Express.
Leadenhall Market
Address: Gracechurch St, London EC3V 1LT, UK
A gorgeous, historic Victorian marketplace, Leadenhall, appears in early Harry Potter films as Diagon Alley.
In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone film, Hagrid and Harry walk through the market, eventually entering in the Leaky Cauldron Pub via a blue door.
This now-famous blue door is an optician’s shop which can be found at 42 Bull’s Head Passage.
Note: Many Diagon Alley scenes were filmed on a set, with occasional shots from Leadenhall Market and Borough Market used throughout the series.
Harry Potter fan or not, Leadenhall Market is a stunning London icon, any excuse to visit is a great one!
Millennium Bridge
Address: Millennium Bridge, London, UK
The Millennium Bridge is a steel suspension pedestrian bridge crossing the River Thames near St. Paul’s Cathedral.
The bridge is destroyed by the Death Eaters in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince during the film’s early scenes.
The bridge, of course, still stands in real life and can best be found by putting “Millennium Bridge” in your phone’s GPS.
Other London Bridges Appearing In Harry Potter Films Include:
Below are additional London bridges seen in Harry Potter films:
- Tower Bridge – Harry flies along the Thames, passing over Tower Bridge on his broomstick, in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
- Lambeth Bridge – In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Lambeth Bridge is where the magical Knight Bus squeezes between two double decker buses.
St. Paul’s Cathedral
Address: St. Paul’s Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD, UK
The The Millennium Bridge wasn’t the only famous site filmed in this area. It’s neighbor, St. Paul’s Cathedral, was filmed as well.
A spiral staircase in the cathedral was used in the filming of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. The staircase was used to represent the dramatic Divination staircase leading to Professor Trelawney’s classroom in the North Tower.
Piccadilly Circus
Address: Junction point of Regent Street, Piccadilly, Shaftesbury Avenue, The Haymarket, Coventry Street and Glasshouse Street
Piccadilly Circus is one of the most recognizable tourist attractions in London. It’s the epicenter of cinemas, theaters, shops, restaurants and famous pubs.
It’s through this iconic location that Harry, Ron, and Hermione run during Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1.
No doubt, it’s a lively backdrop for the crew to be fleeing for safety from encroaching Death Eaters.
Run along Shaftesbury Avenue through Piccadilly Circus just as they did in the movies!
This is definitely one of the easiest Harry Potter places to visit in London.
London Zoo
Address: Outer Cir, London NW1 4RY, UK
On the edge of Regent’s Park, historic London Zoo (previously known as ZSL London Zoo) is home to a giant Reptile House used in the filming of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
The scene is a famous one, where Harry visits the zoo with the Dursley’s. During the visit he encounters a few mishaps — ahem freeing a Burmese python — and first learns he can speak Parseltongue.
I don’t think any Harry Potter fan can go into the reptile section of a zoo now and not imagine that scene.
Lincoln’s Inn Fields & Claremont Square
Lincoln’s Inn Fields Address: Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London, UK
Claremont Square Address: 23-29 Claremont Square, Islington, London N1 9LX, UK
Lincoln’s Inn Fields is a historic public square and park in London.
No filming took place on site, but it’s believed a square of Georgian townhouses here served as J.K. Rowling’s inspiration for 12 Grimmauld Place.
12 Grimmauld Place is, of course, the House of Black and top secret headquarters of The Order of the Phoenix. The fictional home is protected by a Fidelius Charm so it can only be seen by a magical person who’s been told the secret of its location.
The real filming location was Claremont Square near Kings Cross Station.
Only the exterior of the building was used for filming as the interior was filmed in studio.
Great Scotland Yard
Address: Great Scotland Yard, London, UK
Great Scotland Yard is a very short street in the St. James’s district of Westminster. It’s here where Harry and Mr. Weasley set foot in a phone box to enter the Ministry of Magic in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
This was right before Harry’s hearing on charges of using magic in front of Muggles.
The phone box itself was a prop and has been removed, but Potterheads with a keen eye will still recognize the surrounding area from the film.
Note: The Westminster tube station was also used in filming Harry’s journey to the Ministry of Magic in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince — you may remember Mr. Weasley’s enthusiasm while using Muggle public transportation. This London Underground station was closed for an entire day for filming.
Australia House
Address: Strand, London WC2B 4LA, UK (interior not open to public)
The Australia House is simply a foreign mission office for Australia in the UK.
The building is the longest continuously occupied diplomatic mission in the UK, and is admired for beautiful architecture and design elements. These include spacious passageways, tall ceilings, and ornate chandeliers.
Harry and Hagrid can be seen walking through the Australia House, portrayed as Gringotts Bank, in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Gringotts is a special wizarding bank run by Goblins and is where Harry first realizes the fortune left to him by his parents.
Unfortunately, ordinary Muggles can only visit the Australia House if applying for visa or obtaining other necessary documents.
Leicester Square
Address: 5-6 Leicester Square, London WC2H 7LU, UK
Another popular Harry Potter site in London is Leicester Square.
This pedestrian square and entertainment center in the West End of London is a popular stopping point for Harry Potter fans, not due to any filming, but because of a statue of Harry Potter in the park.
The statue is a bronze sculpture replicating Harry gliding through the air on his Nimbus 2000 broomstick during his first Quidditch match.
It stands among other popular film icons along Scenes in the Square Sculpture Trail.
Harry Potter Walking Tour
A self-guided tour of London’s Harry Potter film locations listed above can easily be done. But for those who’d rather follow along with a tour guide, there’s some great options.
A guided tour allows you to see the best sites, while picking up lots of fun Harry Potter trivia along the way.
Check out these popular options:
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making Of Harry Potter
The Harry Potter Studio Tour is a must for fans looking for the ultimate in Harry Potter things to do in London.
At Warner Bros. Studio, just outside London, you can step onto the real Harry Potter film sets where the most famous scenes came to life.
Along the tour you’ll see authentic props, original costumes, and famous sets.
Highlights include The Great Hall, Forbidden Forest — complete with creepy critters — and The Hogwarts Express, just to name a few!
This is unlike The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, Florida, instead of an amusement park, it’s the actual movie set where filming occurred.
You’ll get a behind the scenes look at the countless details and the tireless work that went into making this beloved book come to life on the big screen.
The experience needs to be booked in advance and can be done so through Warner Bros. Studio.
Harry Potter & The Cursed Child
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a play written by Jack Thorne, based off the original story by J. K. Rowling.
It follows Albus Severus unwittingly following in the footsteps of his famous father, Harry Potter. The play debuted at Palace Theatre in London and is now on stage in select cities world-wide.
The well-loved theatrical event is a two-part series and a must for Potter fanatics seeking Harry Potter stuff to do in London.
Harry Potter Shops In London
Looking to explore some Harry Potter shops in London? Luckily, there are quite a few! Below are some favorites:
House of MinaLima
The House of MinaLima is a vibrant gallery and shop run by the graphic design duo who developed props used in Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films.
The aesthetics in here are incredible and it’s the perfect place to grab a unique gift or souvenir.
No doubt, this is one of the top Harry Potter shops to visit in London.
The shop/ exhibit is located in Soho.
House of Spells
This is a themed shop selling officially licensed merchandise, such as wands and spell books, all in an adorable Harry Potter-like setting.
It’s a huge store, they also sell goodies for other famous fandoms, like Lord of the Rings. But first and foremost, this is a Harry Potter shop.
House of Spells is located between Soho and Covent Garden.
Harry Potter Shop at Warner Bros.
This is gift shop full of one-of-a-kind Harry Potter goods. It’s part of the Harry Potter Studio Tour, so the only way to browse these Harry Potter goods is with a ticket.
Hamleys
Hamleys is a famous London toy store which has dedicated an entire section to just Harry Potter toys.
The incredible, multi-level toy store is worth a browse no matter what. They have an incredible selection of games and toys.
You’ll find multiple Hamleys locations throughout London.
The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 3/4
The previously mentioned Harry Potter Shop, located next to Platform 9 3/4, was opened by Warwick Davis, who played Professor Flitwick and Griphook in the film series.
It’s set up to resemble Ollivander’s Wand Shop, and this shop has tons of excellent Harry Potter merchandise and books.
The shop is located in King’s Cross next to Platform 9 3/4.
Harry Potter Pubs & Cafes
The Potion Room at Cutter & Squidge offers Potion Making Classes.
Harry Potter Hotels In London
Looking to round out your Harry Potter experience by spending a night at a Harry Potter themed hotel?
Hogwarts may be off limits, but check out the following great options:
- Georgian House Hotel– offers Harry Potter themed rooms.
- St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel London – used as the King’s Cross Station entrance in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Harry Potter Filming Locations In Oxford
If you’re up for a day trip, consider the 1 hour journey to Oxford. This is where many beautiful Hogwarts scenes were filmed!
Here you’ll find the following Harry Potter things to do:
- New College Cloisters at University of Oxford – Hogwarts hallways
- Bodleian Library at University of Oxford – The Hogwarts Library
- Divinity School at University of Oxford – Hogwarts Hospital Wing
- Christ Church College at University of Oxford – Hogwarts Great Hall (not a filming location, but the inspiration)
- Bodley Tower in Christ Church College & Christ Church Cloisters at University of Oxford – Hogwarts staircases and hallways
As you can see, there’s some really cool Harry Potter things to do in London! I hope you’ve found this helpful in planning your trip and have the best time.
Any questions? Please leave a comment below or reach out on social media.
Looking for more ideas? Below are additional London guides or head on over to Visit London.
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Google is unfortunately saying that The Cauldron is permanently closed.
That is so sad, I’ll update the post, thank you!