Everyone knows someone who is a Harry Potter fan and with the arrival of the next instalment of the Fantastic Beast’s franchise in cinemas, young witches and wizards might want to make a pilgrimage to some of the locations used in the original films. If that’s you, here are some of the locations you can visit around the country and a few other events that are going on nearby to keep you amused once the fangirling has finished.
Kings Cross Station
Perhaps the most famous location, Kings Cross Station in London was where Hogwarts students got the Hogwarts Express to school. So popular was the idea that there was in fact a platform between 9 and 10 that one has been added. Follow the Harry Potter fans to Platform 9 ¾ in the main shopping area of the station. Here you can pose for photos and buy souvenirs from the Harry Potter shop.
Also in London: Australia House
Australia House was used as the exterior to wizarding bank Gringotts. You can find Australia House on the Strand. It is home to the Australian High Commission, so you can’t explore inside, but you’re welcome to hang around outside and take photos if you like.
While you’re in London, you’ll find lots of things to see and do, but in case you need a bit of inspiration, why not head to Brixton for a Bowie Tour? Perfect for anyone who is a fan of music, the tour takes in many important places for the UK’s music scene as well as being the home of the man himself. If you want to find out more about the Ministry of Magic’s muggle relations, head to the Palace of Westminster for tours of parliament. Or for something completely different, you’ll find everything from London Showboat Cruises to Murder Mystery dinners on boats that traverse the Thames.
The Jacobite Steam Train, Scotland
The Hogwarts Express was played in wideshots by the Jacobite Steam Train. The train itself runs from April to October every year, so you too can experience what its like to be on the Hogwarts Express… Unfortunately, you can’t hitch a ride on the train from platform 9 3/4 , you will need to make your way to Fort William in Scotland, but the journey will take you through some of Scotland’s most amazing scenery and while you’re there you might as well enjoy yourself!
Goathland Train Station, Yorkshire
You’ll recognise this as being the station at Hogsmead where students disembark the Hogwarts Express before getting a ride to school. You can reach this station from getting the train either from Whitby or Pickering.
Yorkshire is a big place, so getting to events near Goathland station might be a struggle, but if you don’t mind taking in some of the county’s many sights, head on up to Ripon in North Yorkshire for the Firework’s Championships.
Hogwarts
No Harry Potter pilgrimage is complete without finding Hogwarts, luckily, there were many different locations used for the exterior and interior of Hogwarts, so wherever you are in the country you’re sure to find at least one of them.
Northumberland’s Alnwick Castle is one location.
It is the second largest inhabited castle in England after Windsor Castle and has been home to the Dukes of Northumberland for over 700 years. It has been seen on screen a number of times over the year, including Antiques Roadshow and Flogit. While you’re in Northumberland, why not learn more about the history of the area with Woodhorn Museum’s Coal Forest Art Trail?
Durham Cathedral was another place used to shoot various exterior and interior scenes of Hogwarts, including the bell towers. It was also used for various courtyard scenes and Dumbledore’s Office. You can actually visit the castle with the Curious about Durham event which offers guided walks around the city and attractions.
Gloucester Cathedral provided the school’s corridors, so it is a must for any Potter fan to visit. If you’re heading there in 2019, join in with the Tall Ships Festival.
Another famous location, in nearby Wiltshire is Lacock Abbey.
Snape’s potions classroom as well as other recognisable places from the films can be found here. Wiltshire is a place full of interesting attractions and has a wide calendar of events. For anyone who wants to find out more about military history, places like Warminster, Swindon and Royal Wooten Bassett all have links to the military. Find out more about the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry while in the county by heading to nearby Swindon
Britain has been used as the backdrop for a whole host of movies and TV shows over the years, see if you can spot any more when you’re on your travels and let us know! You can get in touch with us on all the social medias, use #staytripper so we can find your pictures too!
