I was a bit of a “late bloomer” when it came to the magical world of Harry Potter. I was older than I should have been when I finally picked up that first book and changed my life forever. That being said, after breezing through the books and movies, I was obsessed and couldn’t wait to finally cross the Atlantic and see the actual places where some of this took place.
“What brings you to London?” the guy at customs asked us…my mom frozen in panic of the stress of the drill finally answers “Uhhh…HARRY POTTER!”. I had to stifle my laughs to avoid deportation, but the best part was, she wasn’t wrong. Though I had a whole slew of things to cram into my 4 day trip over spring break, the Harry Potter locations were top on my list. If you also have a short time frame, here are 7 of what I deem to be the best and most magical Harry Potter themed things to see and do in London. Grab your wands, brooms (or flying car), and your Marauder’s Map and let’s explore the magic of London!
Harry Potter Studio Tour
Perhaps the most obvious must visit Harry Potter location, a little ways outside of the city you’ll find the Harry Potter Studio Tour. You’ll LITERALLY get to walk right onto the sets from the movies and see every prop you could ever imagine. They also pack it full of interactive experiences so you can summon your own broom to practice your flying lessons and re-enact that classic Aunt Marge cake scene. I had THE BEST day and took what I imagine to be no less than 500 pictures (I had the worst time trying to pick just a few for this post lol). As mentioned, it’s a little way outside of London, and getting there can be a bit of a challenge, but if you’re Potter obsessed this is the number one thing you can’t miss.
Platform 9¾ (Kings Cross)
One of the first places I made a beeline for when I got to London was King’s Cross Station. Not only is the outside gorgeous, but you’ll also find Platform 9¾ waiting to take you right to Hogwarts. Pick your house and they’ll don you with a scarf that will help in the vision of transporting you right through the wall. Snap a pic or two and then head over to the gift shop nearby where you’ll find a Harry Potter paradise, stuffed with every kind of souvenir and gift you could ever want. It is as Ms. Weasley said, “packed with muggles of course” so be ready to wait for a while. The photo op is priceless though and you won’t want to miss it.
London Zoo
“WAKE UP POTTER! WE’RE GOING TO THE ZOO!”. I happen to love zoos…but with only a few days in London why would you want to waste your time on a zoo, you might ask? The London Zoo is special because it happens to be where the actually filmed some scenes in the first Harry Potter movie! The Reptile House (where Harry found out the snake could understand him) is still picture perfect and even has a little display to commemorate the filming. The ticket is included in the London Pass if you get that and it doesn’t take that long to walk through. The time it took was 100% worth it to see the actual filming location (and to try your hand at Parseltonuge for a few minutes in the same spot as our favorite wizard did).
Leadenhall Market
What if Diagon Alley ACTUALLY existed? What if I told you it did? Leadenhall Market is basically a real life version of Diagon Alley. The inspiration for the magical village in the films, the covered market has stores and restaurants and you’ll feel like you’re actually prepping to go to Hogwarts. As a bonus you can check out the building that was used as the exterior of The Leaky Cauldron in the first movie!
Millennium Bridge
Just one of the many awesome bridges in London, the Millennium is a twisty wonder that looks super awesome. It also happens to be one of the bridges you see when the Death Eaters start taking over and destroying London. It’s really gorgeous. Be sure to go see it before the Death Eaters get to it.
Museum of London
While not directly related to any of the movies or an actual filming location, the museum of London has some Harry Potter ties of its own. Remember those giant chess pieces from the wizard chess games? They’re partially inspired by the Lewis Chessmen which are on display in the museum. If that’s enough to encourage you to drop in, you can also see other incredible historic items like the Rosetta Stone or an actual Easter Island head!
The Blind Pig
Ever wished you could try legit butterbeer? I mean 100% butterbeer with rum just like you always dreamed of from the books? The Blind Pig pub makes that a reality. Hidden right above a busy little restaurant, The Blind Pig offers drinks based off of all of your favorite childhood books and fairy tales like Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, and Winnie the Pooh. Included in this mix is “half a pint of buttah” which is a fancy way of saying REAL BUTTERBEER! Of note, reservations are HIGHLY recommended (read: required). I had no idea they were needed and the bouncers originally told me it could take hours, but I stuck around and chatted with them and when they found out that I was a silly American who didn’t know better they felt bad and got me inside ASAP. That being said, I wouldn’t risk the sympathy entry again and would encourage you to just go ahead and save your spot before you go. It was the perfect end to a magical trip.
Of course, these are only a small sample of the many Harry Potter locations used throughout the London area. If you have more time, definitely check out one of the many tours offered (my plan if I ever go back) and don’t be afraid to cross out of the city limits – some of the most recognizable locations are a little further out. London is beautiful, and its history and culture makes it one of the most magic cities in the world. And the best part? You don’t even have to be a wizard to experience it.
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