9 Places Every Harry Potter Fan Needs To Visit

Wizarding World Of Harry Potter, Orlando

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter offers a fun-filled day out consisting of rides, shops, restaurants and interactive experiences. All of which are of course based on the Harry Potter film franchise. Dine at the Hog’s Head Pub before embarking on The Hogwarts Express.

You’ll find the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios, Orlando meaning you can tie your visit in with plenty more activities. Potter fans will also want to experience Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, a motion simulation ride that’ll see you cross paths with Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

Fun fact: Visitors can experience Ollivanders Wand Shop where guests are often chosen to recreate the magical moment when Harry chooses his wand, or should that be, when the wand chooses the wizard. 

Glenfinnan Viaduct, Scotland

Although the name might not mean much to you, Glenfinnan Viaduct should be instantly recognisable to any fan of the Harry Potter films. The historic location is associated with the Hogwarts Express and famous scenes such as when Harry and Ron chase the train in Mr Weasley’s flying car.

Glenfinnan Viaduct was built in 1897 and is located in the Scottish Highlands. Interestingly, the Jacobite Steam Train, which was used in the movies as the Hogwarts Express, passes the Glenfinnan Viaduct twice a day. Many Potter fans plan their visit in time to catch the steam train passing over the viaduct.

 Fun fact: Although most famous for its appearance in four of the Harry Potter films, it can also be seen in other famous movies such as Ring of Bright Water and Monarch of the Glen.

Platform 9 ¾, London King’s Cross station

This location needs no introduction to Potter fans, but many people don’t know that this famous spot from the films has been turned into a tourist attraction at London’s King’s Cross station. In the movie, it’s obviously where Hogwarts students board the Hogwarts Express after vanishing through the solid brick wall. 

The fictional spot that has been brought to life isn’t the same spot seen in the movie, but that doesn’t stop fans flocking to the location to get a picture of themselves at platform 9 and ¾.

Fun fact: JK Rowling admitted to confusing King’s Cross with Euston station. As a result, anyone who has read the books will notice that the station described bears little resemblance to the one seen in the movie.

Black Park, Buckinghamshire

While to residents of Buckinghamshire it may be known as the Black Park, to Potter nerds this will always be the Forbidden Forest. The park was the location for many of the more eerie scenes in the Harry Potter movies, including the scene where Harry, Ron, Hermione and Draco serve detention late into the Hogwarts night inside the Forbidden Forest.

However, in the real world there are far less spooky things going on in Black Park. In fact, the 500 acre setting is the perfect spot for a family day out with several attractions that are suitable for both young and old.

If you’ve got young children to entertain, a trip to the Black Park can be the perfect way to keep them entertained whilst also taking in the setting of one of their favourite movies.

Fun fact: The location wasn’t only used for the Harry Potter film franchise but was also used as a filming location for Bugsy Malone.

Leadenhall Market, London

The real Leadenhall Market in London may date back to the 14th century, but since 2001 and the release of the first Harry Potter movie, the spot has become synonymous with the famous film franchise.

That’s because Leadenhall Market was given a wizarding makeover and used as a surrounding area to Diagon Alley throughout the films. Leadenhall appears in two Potter movies to be precise, the first and the fourth movies in the series.

In Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone, the market is visible when Harry and Hagrid find themselves wandering through Leadenhall Market on their way to the Leaky Cauldron – a wizarding drinking spot found in Diagon Alley.

Fun fact: Leadenhall Market is over 700 years old and would have originally been a hectic food market. As such, its cobbled streets and narrow alleys made it the perfect setting for the Harry Potter films.

The Elephant House, Edinburgh

Even the most ardent of Potter fans can be forgiven for not recognising The Elephant House cafe in Edinburgh. That’s because it wasn’t used in any of the films. Instead, this is the spot where J.K Rowling wrote many parts of her captivating books before they were turned into films.

It’s believed Rowling enjoyed a coffee and a cake while writing sections of the books. As a result, many fans refer to the cafe as the birthplace of the Harry Potter series. Inside you’ll find pictures of the famous author at work in the cafe hanging from the wall.

If you do ever have a chance to visit, don’t just take in the nostalgia of standing in the same place as where parts of the famous books were penned; the cafe also offers a fantastic range of food, drinks and cakes, and their delicious breakfast is one of the best in Edinburgh.

Fun fact: This isn’t the only place that could be seen as the birthplace of Harry Potter. While many parts of the book were written here, J.K Rowling has revealed that the first place she put pen to paper when writing the series was actually a small flat in Clapham Junction, London.

Warner Bros Studio Tour, London

A must-visit for every Potter fan, you’ll experience everything from the sets to the costumes and props used in the films. One minute you’ll be exploring iconic locations like the Great Hall and Diagon Alley, and the next you’ll be experimenting with over 950 potions.

The studio tour is located just outside London, and just a 15-minute bus journey from Watford Junction, although you’ll also find many coach trips to Harry Potter World. It’s a great option if you find yourself wanting to escape the more traditional tourist attractions in England’s capital and a visit will take you around 3 and a half hours according to the studio’s website.  

Be aware that the website encourages visitors to dress comfortably due to the amount of walking involved. Don’t worry about dress codes, everything from a men’s full tracksuit to your favourite Harry Potter merch is fine.

Fun fact: While the film relied on many special effects, many of the sets, costumes, and props that you see at the Warner Bros tour were used in the actual Harry Potter films.

Czocha Wizarding College, Poland

If you want to step into the wizarding world, there’s probably no place better than Czocha Wizarding College in Poland. Here, visitors can experience a three day journey of what it’s like to be a real-life wizard as they embark through an immersive wizarding world.

You’ll notice a lack of references to the films themselves to avoid getting in trouble with copyright and trademark infringements, but the subtle nods are there. For example, you’ll join one of five houses as opposed to the four found in Hogwarts.

The houses include Faust, Libussa, Durentius, Molin and Sendivogius. While these names may not mean much to Harry Potter lovers, the magic classes and secret passages will be more than enough to win you over.

Fun fact: As part of the experience, visitors stay in a 13th century castle for three nights, only adding to the feeling of being a real life witch or wizard.

Privet Drive, Berkshire

Privet Drive needs no introduction to Potter fans. It’s of course the address of the Dursley family home, where Harry grows up and spends a large portion of his time there outside of school time.

The actual address of Harry’s childhood home is 4 Privet Drive and is the setting for famous scenes such as receiving his letter to Hogwarts, being rescued from the Dursleys by the Weasley brothers and who can forget the iconic bedroom under the stairs?

The real life Privet Drive is Picket Post Close in Bracknell. While it may be on the bucket list of every Potter fan to visit, you may be left disappointed by the normality as everyday people go about their daily lives.

Fun fact: You may think being the childhood home of Harry Potter would skyrocket the value of the real life property. In fact, the real life house was on the market in 2016, where it eventually sold for less than its asking price!