Your Ultimate Guide to London’s Harry Potter Attractions
Immerse Yourself in the Wizarding World: Harry Potter Studios London and Beyond
Whether you’re a wizard, witch, or muggle, London is the perfect place for a Harry Potter adventure. From the Warner Bros. Studio Tour and its unmissable sets and costumes to the real-life locations of Platform 9 ¾, the Ministry of Magic, and Professor Snape’s classroom, London and its surroundings truly promise a memorable, magical experience.
In this ultimate guide to London’s Harry Potter attractions, we take you on a trip around London, Oxford, and Lacock, highlighting amazing filming locations that you’re sure to recognise from the wizarding world you’ve seen on the big screen. Pour yourself a Butterbeer and get ready to start planning your Harry Potter adventure in London and beyond.
Step Inside the Magic: Warner Bros. Studio Tour London Tickets
A must-visit for Harry Potter fans, the Warner Bros Studio Tour London enables you to immerse yourself in the world-famous films and see unique features you won’t find elsewhere. From authentic sets and original props to genuine costumes and amazing special effects, it’s the ultimate experience for Potter heads.
At the Harry Potter Studios London, you can wander along Diagon Alley, step into the impressive Great Hall, and learn how some of the films’ much-loved magical creatures were created. It’s the place where all eight films were produced, so you’ll be walking on the famous grounds where the magic really happened.
Explore Magical Film Locations: From the Real-Life Ministry of Magic to Platform 9 ¾
London is an important part of the Harry Potter books and films, and there are plenty of fascinating highlights to see around the city.
Platform 9 ¾
Visit King’s Cross Station, where Harry and his friends begin their journey to Hogwarts, and don’t miss the unique photo opportunity at Platform 9 ¾. There’s also a Harry Potter gift shop at the station where you can buy some great souvenirs.
Diagon Alley, the Leaky Caldron, and More
Other popular spots around London include Leadenhall Market which inspired the magical Diagon Alley and the Millenium Bridge which appeared in the opening scene of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. In vibrant Borough Market, you can see the spot that was home to the Leaky Caldron in Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban, plus the Market Porter Pub which you may recognise as the Third Hand Emporium from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
The Ministry of Magic
The Ministry of Magic is another popular highlight for wizarding world fans, and the filming locations can be found around Scotland Place and Great Scotland Yard in Westminster. While the red telephone box was only in place for filming, you can see the archway where it appeared. Don’t worry, there are plenty of red telephone boxes in London where you can pose for a photo if you’d like to imagine you’re entering the Ministry of Magic yourself.
Experience them all with Golden Tours
Great options for seeing the best Harry Potter filming locations in London include Golden Tours’ London Harry Potter Private Film Locations Black Cab Tour with Hotel Pickup and their Wizard Walk of London, both of which include commentary from a knowledgeable local guide.
Beyond the Capital: Unique Harry Potter Experiences outside of London
Just outside London in traditional Oxford and charming Lacock, you’ll find some of the most iconic filming locations from the Harry Potter series.
Godric’s Hollow, Hogwarts Classrooms, and More
The delightful village of Lacock is another must-visit for Harry Potter fans seeking wizarding activities in and around London. Beautifully preserved over many centuries, the village appears at numerous points in the films and was the filming location for Godric’s Hollow, Budleigh Babberton, and Horace Slughorn's hideaway. You can see the Potter’s cottage at the end of Church Street and find the red brick hideaway on Cantax Hill.
Perhaps the most picturesque Harry Potter filming location, Lacock Abbey is home to the memorable Hogwarts corridors where Harry hides under his invisibility cloak and listens to a conversation between Professors Snape and Quirrell. You can also visit the classrooms belonging to these two professors, one of which is home to an authentic 16th-century cauldron, and see the room where Harry found the Mirror of Erised. This room was also the setting for a revision room in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Spend a Day Exploring with Golden Tours
To really get your Potter-fix, you can visit all of these amazing Harry Potter filming locations during a day trip from London via Golden Tours’ Harry Potter Bodleian Library, Oxford and Lacock Tour which includes luxury coach transportation, entry to Bodleian Library, Christ Church College, and Lacock Abbey. Plus a guided tour of the village of Lacock and its numerous Harry Potter filming locations.
Godric’s Hollow, Hogwarts Classrooms, and More
The delightful village of Lacock is another must-visit for Harry Potter fans seeking wizarding activities in and around London. Beautifully preserved over many centuries, the village appears at numerous points in the films and was the filming location for Godric’s Hollow, Budleigh Babberton, and Horace Slughorn's hideaway. You can see the Potter’s cottage at the end of Church Street and find the red brick hideaway on Cantax Hill.
Perhaps the most picturesque Harry Potter filming location, Lacock Abbey is home to the memorable Hogwarts corridors where Harry hides under his invisibility cloak and listens to a conversation between Professors Snape and Quirrell. You can also visit the classrooms belonging to these two professors, one of which is home to an authentic 16th-century cauldron, and see the room where Harry found the Mirror of Erised. This room was also the setting for a revision room in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Spend a Day Exploring with Golden Tours
To really get your Potter-fix, you can visit all of these amazing Harry Potter filming locations during a day trip from London via Golden Tours’ Harry Potter Bodleian Library, Oxford and Lacock Tour which includes luxury coach transportation, entry to Bodleian Library, Christ Church College, and Lacock Abbey. Plus a guided tour of the village of Lacock and its numerous Harry Potter filming locations.
Experience Harry Potter in the West End
London is known for its amazing West End theatre productions, and what better way to complete your Harry Potter tour of the city than with a magical show?
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is set 19 years after the end of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows book and follows Harry and Ginny’s son Albus as he and Draco Malfoy’s son, Scorpius, get into trouble using an illegal time turner. It takes place at the Palace Theatre in London’s iconic West End.
You’ll enjoy an immersive experience, with amazing special effects, fascinating props, striking costumes, and a beautiful setting. It really does offer a little bit of magic in the heart of the city.
The show takes place in two parts on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. On Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, the first part is at 2pm and part two is at 7pm. It’s 1pm and 6pm on a Sunday.
You can purchase a Harry Potter and the Cursed Child ticket that includes both parts from Golden Tours.
Getting to Your Magical Journey: Convenient Transfers for Every Fan
If you’re heading into London from Heathrow to immerse yourself in the magic of Harry Potter and his wizarding world, choose the Heathrow Express for a quick and seamless journey into the centre of the capital. With trains running every 15 minutes, advance tickets from just £10, and free travel for children 15 and under our convenient service is perfect for everyone.
Book your Heathrow Express ticket today and start planning your magical London adventure.