I can’t run a blog in which the main subject is film and TV and not create a list of Harry Potter filming locations that you can and should visit as a fan. I’m a Potterhead through and through myself, so it would be downright irresponsible of me not to. In this Harry Potter filming locations list, I will detail the exact locations and provide you with information on how to get to them so that your magical journey to the land of Harry Potter is as smooth as a flight on a thestral. Shall we?
You can find all of my Harry Potter inspired recipes here!
This is a long post, folks. Strap in.
Contents
- Harry Potter Filming Locations
- Harry Potter Studio Tour, Leavesden
- Harry Potter Filming Locations: England
- Hogwarts (Interiors)
- Hogwarts (Exteriors)
- Harry Potter Filming Locations: London
- Harry Potter Filming Locations: Scotland
- Harry Potter Filming Locations: Ireland
- Harry Potter Filming Locations: Wales
- 13 Years Later
Harry Potter Filming Locations
It’s important to me – and to many other Potterheads – that care and consideration is taken when visiting these famous places. Let’s not mess about; it’s crucial that we respect any place we visit and even more so when the foot traffic is high.
Due to the immense popularity of the Harry Potter films, fans and tourists from near and far have travelled to these places. Whilst most people do indeed exhibit the respect these Harry Potter filming locations deserve, there have been incidents of the opposite occuring.
Likely the most noted incident is the destruction of the tree that was featured as the Womping Willow throughout the series. Obviously, this is terribly sad. I mentioned this in my Blenheim Palace “in the movies” guide because it’s important to understand that things like this can happen if we don’t show proper consideration and care.
Simply take care when visiting the destinations featured in this Harry Potter filming locations list; show respect and decency by being mindful of your actions and everyone will have a good time (including the trees).
Now that I’ve said what I wanted to say on that topic, let’s get to the fun part.
Harry Potter Studio Tour, Leavesden
I’m starting with arguably the most obvious one, but an important inclusion in my Harry Potter filming locations list.
A considerable amount of the Harry Potter movies were filmed on a studio lot in Leavesden, Watford. Located just outside of London, these studio sets were ideal for the scenes where fictional places needed to be built rather than found.
Think The Great Hall in Hogwarts; Diagon Alley and the shops interiors, The Dursleys house (interior) Dumbeldore’s Office and so on. So many of our favourite scenes were filmed on sets built in these studios. Thanks to the tour, they are still standing and are available for visits all year round.
It’s not just sets that you can see, but costumes, props, VFX, creature effects and extended elements like the knight bus, Hogwarts Express and more.
There’s also a cafe, food that can be purchased halfway through the tour and an audio tour to listen to while you walk around as well. Some of the residential areas around the studio lot were also used during filming, such as the scene where Harry is picked up by the knight bus.
Oh, and there are gift shops. One on Platform 9 ¾ and one right at the end of the tour. Believe me when I say I once spent over £300 in one trip to the gift shop at the end of the tour… worth it.
I’ve been to the Harry Potter studio tour seven times. I highly recommend going around Christmas time if you can – Hogwarts in the Snow is so worth the trip. I plan on going back as it’s been a few years and I have yet to visit the Forbidden Forest, Gringotts and Professor Sprout’s Greenhouse!
A few years ago, I nearly got a job as a tour guide there, but got ahead of myself when I (excitedly) applied and then realised the commute wasn’t realistic. *wipes tear from cheek*
Out of all of the Harry Potter filming locations you can visit, the Studio Tour is not the cheapest. It’s a treat, for sure. But as Hagrid would say: it’s a thumpin’ good one.
You can even walk through the tour AND have a three-course dinner at one of the tables in The Great Hall, which is seriously cool.
Tour tickets must be purchased in advance and prices for an individual adult start at £56, with packages, family tickets and carer tickets all available. You can buy your tickets from the official website here. Book way in advance because tickets still sell like hot (rock) cakes!
Note: the average time spent on the tour alone is three and a half hours… my record is seven hours. Just sayin’.
Accessibility information can be found here, which includes detail on access around the studios; an autism and visitor guide, guide dog information, a carer guide and more.
All of the travel information you’d need is right here, so you can plan your trip smoothly.
Harry Potter Filming Locations: England
Now we get to the on-location stuff. I’m starting with England specifically because it’s where a large majority of the ‘found’ filming locations are.
To make this as easy to read as possible, I’m simply going to list the locations and what they were used for. Each section includes a little detail relevant to visiting the location. The quotes are Google Maps links. Sound good?
Note: as you can now see a reconstruction of the Dursleys house at the Studio Tour, I am going to skip the official address of the house they used – it is actually someone’s residential abode, after all.
Let’s start with home, shall we?
Hogwarts (Interiors)
Corridors to Gryffindor Common Room
Scene: The newest members of Gryffindor – led by Percy – are asked for the password by the lady in the oil painting in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001).
Location: Cloisters of the Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucestershire.
Find it: “Password?”
Detail: Same as below.
Blood Message on the Wall
Scene: The Golden Trio (followed by a hoard of students and teachers) find a blood message written on the wall stating that the Chamber of Secrets has been opened.
Location: Cloisters of the Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucestershire
Find it: “The Chamber of Secrets has been opened.” (linked above)
Detail: The cathedral is open to the public (dogs included) and is accessible for wheelchair users. A £5 donation is required for entry; opening times and further detail can be found here.
Hogwarts Classrooms
Room: Professor Snape’s Potions classroom in Philosopher’s Stone; the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom and the room holding the Mirror of Erised when Harry first finds it.
Location: The Sacristy, The Warming Room, The Chapter House in Lacock Abbey, Lacock, Wiltshire.
Find it: “I can tell you how to bottle fame, brew glory and even put a stopper in death.”
Detail: Standard admission costs £20 through the National Trust (unless you’re a member). Parking costs £5 but tickets can be bought on the day – no need to purchase in advance.
Room: Professor McGonagall’s classroom in which she teaches Transfiguration and reveals the story of the Chamber of Secrets in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002).
Location: The Chapter House, Durham Cathedral, Durham
Find it: “Professor, I was wondering if you could tell us about the Chamber of Secrets.”
Detail: Admission to the cathedral is free with an optional £5 donation. The majority of the site is accessible to wheelchair users, with disabled parking designated closer to the entrance.
Hogwarts Infirmary
Scene: The countless times Harry ends up in a hospital bed… has anyone counted? Plus, Ron, Draco, Hermione, Colin Creevey… the list goes on.
This was also the location used for the scene involving Ron dancing with Professor McGonagall, shortly after she informs them all about the Yule Ball in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005).
Location: Divinity School, Oxford University, London
Find it: “Well, what do you expect? Pumpkin juice?”
Detail: Admission to Trinity College is £5 (12 and under are free) but please remember that this is still a place of education; students live and study there. You are able to access the grounds (preferably on an official guided tour) but do not enter staircases, college rooms or areas marked as private.
Hogwarts Library
Scene: Harry goes looking for information about Nicholas Flamel in the restricted section of the library in Philosopher’s Stone. Hermione researches polyjuice potion in Chamber of Secrets. Chats and discussions like who to take to Slughorn’s Christmas party also occur here.
Location: Duke Humphrey’s Library, Oxford University
Find it: “I checked this out weeks ago for a bit of light reading.”
Detail: The reading rooms are not open to the public, but you can take a tour of the library with a guide.
Hogwarts (Exteriors)
Flying Lessons
Scene: Madam Hooch’s flying lesson and Harry’s introduction to Quidditch with Oliver Wood.
Location: Alnwick Castle, Northumberland
Find it: “Not bad, Potter. You’d make a fair beater.”
Detail: The castle closes during the autumn and winter months, including the grounds. The gardens are still open for visitation and entry costs £11 for a standard adult ticket.
Hogwarts Lake
Scene: Harry fends off the dementors to save himself and Sirius in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004). Lakeside scenes featuring in Goblet of Fire like the gillyweed revelation and the passing of messages were also filmed here.
Location: Virginia Water Lake, Virginia Water, Surrey
Find it: “I’m not an owl!”
Detail: This man made lake is known for its walking trails and stunning beauty. Parking is ticket-based and there are onsite toilet facilities.
Hedwig Flies
Scene: Harry sets Hedwig aflight and she acts as the transition from winter to spring.
Location: Durham Cathedral, Durham
Find it: “Very smart owl you’ve got there.” (linked above under “Professor McGonagall’s classroom)
Detail: Admission to the cathedral is free with an optional £5 donation. The majority of the site is accessible to wheelchair users, with disabled parking designated closer to the entrance.
Draco Becomes a Ferret
Scene: Harry tells Cedric about dragons being the first task of the Triwizard Tournament despite being surrounded by “Potter Stinks” badges and Moody turns Draco Malfoy into a ferret.
Location: New College, Holywell Street, Oxford
Find it: “I could tell you stories about your father that would curl even your greasy hair, boy!”
Detail: Standard admission for an adult is £8. Seniors, under 16s and full time students can get in for £7 and family tickets are available at £25. Carers of disabled visitors get in for free when a disabled visitor purchases a ticket at £7.
Harry Potter Filming Locations: London
Just to make this a bit easier to read, I’ve listed most of the filming locations that are specifically in London, England below.
Quick shots of London in the films also include: the Thames River, Canary Wharf, Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge and the museum ship HMS Belfast.
The Reptile House, London Zoo
Scene: Harry first speaks to a snake and sets it loose on Dudley in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001).
Location: The Reptile House, London Zoo, Regent’s Park, London.
Find it: “It’s just… I’ve never talked to a snake before.”
Detail: Tickets are needed for entry and start at £31 per adult.
Entrance to The Leaky Cauldron
Scene: The exterior of The Leaky Cauldron (entrance from the London side) most notably featured in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
Location: 42 Bull’s Head Passage, Leadenhall Market, London.
Find it: “Can we find all this in London?” “If you know where to go.”
Detail: Look for the blue door of an optician and you’ll be outside The Leaky Cauldron! No butterbeer will be found inside I’m afraid – only spectacles and people offering eye tests.
Platform 9 ¾, King’s Cross Station
Scene: Platform 9 ¾ in each of the Harry Potter films we see it in.
Location: King’s Cross Station, Euston Road, London.
Find it: “Stick to your ticket, Harry. That’s very important.”
Detail: You now need a ticket to get onto the platforms, but you can find a Harry Potter shop and the famous luggage trolley in the wall by the entrance to platforms 9, 10 and 11.
King’s Cross Station (Exterior)
Scene: The exterior of King’s Cross Station as shown during the rush to the train in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Location: St Pancras Station, King’s Cross, London
Find it: “The train will be here any moment!”
Detail: As it’s the outside of this historic train station that features in the film, there is no need to think about entry fees.
Grimmauld Place
Scene: Harry first arrives at Grimmauld Place with Moody and co., landing just beside the park area surrounded by black gates, opposite the row of houses in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007). Harry, Ron and Hermione return here in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010).
Location: Claremont Square, Islington, North London
Find it: “So, what is this place?” “It’s headquarters.”
Detail: Again, as this is a public (outside) space, you don’t need to think about entrance fees. Please be mindful that it is a residential area and the houses are people’s homes!
Death Eaters’ Bridge Destruction
Scene: The opening of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in which the Death Eaters cause havoc throughout London, memorably destroying Millenium Bridge.
Location: Millennium Bridge, London
Find it: “Bridge Collapse. Death toll rises.”
Detail: Admission is free and the bridge is accessible for wheelchair users. The bridge is a steel suspension bridge and crosses the Thames from the Tate Modern to St. Paul’s Cathedral.
The Burrow
Scene: The exterior of The Burrow, surrounded by reed beds in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009).
Location: Abbotsbury Swannery, Abbotsbury, Dorset
Find it: “Why didn’t you let us know you were coming?” “I didn’t know. Dumbledore.”
Detail: The reed beds are part of a free-range sanctuary for over 600 swans! The swannery is accessible to wheelchair users and admissions for an adult are £12.95.
Hogsmeade Station
Scene: All arrivals by Hogwarts Express into Hogsmeade.
Location: Goathland Station, North Yorkshire Moors Railway.
Find it: “I’m not going home. Not really.”
Detail: There is a lovely little tearoom and a shop to buy souvenirs from. The station is accessible for wheelchair users.
Meeting Cedric Diggory
Scene: The Weasleys, Harry and Hermione meet Cedric Diggory and his father in a forest before heading to the Quidditch World Cup by portkey.
Location: Ashridge Woods, Ashridge Estate, Berkhamsted
Find it: “Hey, Dad, where are we going?” “Haven’t the foggiest. Keep up!”
Detail: The estate is run by the National Trust, so visitation rights are provided by them. Admission is free.
Portkey to the Quidditch World Cup
Scene: The Weasleys, Harry and Hermione – now with Cedric and his father – surround a portkey in order to get to where the Quidditch World Cup is being held.
Location: Beacon Hill, Ivinghoe Hills, Berkhamsted
Find it: “Why are they all standing around that manky old boot?”
Detail: This area is on the same estate run by the National Trust as the location above.
Slughorn’s Borrowed Muggle House
Scene: Dumbledore takes Harry to meet Horace Slughorn in a bid to convince Slughorn to return to Hogwarts as Potions Master.
Location: Chapel Hill, Lacock, Wiltshire
Find it: “Merlin’s beard!”
Detail: This is another private residence so please be mindful of this and show respect during your visit.
Malfoy Manor (Exterior)
Scene: Snape apparates outside the gates of the manor ahead of a meeting with Voldemort and his fellow Death Eaters in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1.
Location: Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire
Find it: “Severus. I was beginning to worry you had lost your way.”
Detail: Hardwick Hall is a 16th century (Elizabethan) estate now run by the National Trust and is open to the public through their services. Standard adult (non-member) tickets are £19. The estate is accessible to wheelchair users.
Narrow Escape from the Ministry
Scene: Having grabbed the locket from Umbridge’s neck, the Golden Trio narrowly escape from the grasp of Death Eaters in the Ministry of Magic and apparate to a forest in Deathly Hallows: Part 1.
Location: Burnham Beeches, Lord Mayors Drive, Slough
Find it: “Hermione… his arm.”
Detail: Known for its beautiful walking trails, this nature reserve also has on-site amenities like toilets and a cafe. Car park costs are reportedly a little steep, but entry for the reserve is free.
Recognising the Deathly Hallows
Scene: Hermione and Harry apparate to a rocky cliffside after Ron’s anger-fueled departure and start to put together clues about the Deathly Hallows symbol.
Location: Limestone Pavement, Malham Cove, Skipton
Find it: “Why would someone draw it in a children’s book?”
Detail: Open to the public and entirely free. PLEASE BE CAREFUL WALKING ON AND AROUND THESE CLIFFS!
Godric’s Hollow
Scene: Harry and Hermione visit Godric’s Hollow in search of clues and potentially a Horcrux.
Location: Lavenham, Suffolk
Find it: “No. This is where I was born. I’m not returning as someone else.”
Detail: This village was used as the general location, but a lot of Godric’s Hollow was recreated in a studio set. Don’t make the trip hoping to see the screen version of the village!
Chased by Snatchers
Scene: Harry, Ron and Hermione are ambushed by snatchers and sprint through the woods in an attempt to escape them in Deathly Hallows: Part 1.
Location: Swinley Forest, Berkshire
Find it: “We’re not taking this lot to the ministry.”
Detail: Part of the landscape was added in post-production, so the woods themselves aren’t exactly as they appear in the film. It would be pretty cool to recreate the chase scene during your visit, though. If that is your kind of fun.
Harry Potter Filming Locations: Scotland
As you may well know, many of the outdoor shots in the Harry Potter series were filmed in Scotland, particularly those showing the grounds of Hogwarts.
Scotland is full of stunning landscapes with an incredibly magical quality about them, so it makes complete sense that the filmmakers filmed as much as they did in this beautiful country.
Glen Etive features as the backdrop of Hogwarts more than once and is stunning. Hagrid’s hut (can be seen in the Studio Tour) was set in Clachaig Gully.
The Viaduct
Scene: Mr. Weasley’s flying Ford Anglia lands on the viaduct whilst Ron and Harry are trying to locate the Hogwarts Express in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. The train also stops on the viaduct when the dementors invade it in Prisoner of Azkaban.
Location: Glenfinnan Viaduct, West Highland Line between Fort William and Mallaig
Find it: “Ron, I should tell you. Most muggles are accustomed to seeing a flying car.”
Detail: West Coast Railways run a traditional locomotive named the Jacobite Steam Train during the summer season, if you fancy going over the viaduct old school-like.
Hogwarts Lake
Scene: Various shots where the lake can be seen, including when the students of Durmstrang and Beaubatton arrive in Goblet of Fire.
Location: Loch Shiel
Find it: “Well, there’s something you don’t see everyday!”
Detail: The fourth longest loch in Scotland, Loch Shiel is a regular filming spot. It’s so beautiful, I had to include it in this Harry Potter filming locations list. It also happens to be the loch near the Glenfinnan Viaduct.
The First Challenge of the Triwizard Tournament
Scene: The first challenge – retrieve the egg from your designated dragon – of the Triwizard Tournament
Location: Steall Falls, Glen Nevis and Black Rock Gorge, Evanton
Find it: “Your wand, Harry! Your wand!”
Detail: This particular site isn’t ideal for wheelchair users. The walk is worth it, if slightly dangerous so please be careful!
Harry Potter Filming Locations: Ireland
The Horcrux Cave
Scene: Dumbledore takes Harry to find the Horcrux locket which is hidden in the cave of a cliffside in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
Location: Cliffs of Moher, County Clare
Find it: “Oh, yes. This place has known magic.”
Detail: These cliffs are a designated UNESCO Geo Park. There are caves in the cliffside, but the one we see in Half-Blood Prince was rebuilt in a studio set. The rock that Dumbledore and Harry apparate onto is actually Lemon Rock in County Kerry, so don’t go to County Clare looking for the rock!
PLEASE BE CAREFUL AROUND THE CLIFFS!
Harry Potter Filming Locations: Wales
Dobby’s Beach
Scene: Do I have to go into it?
Location: Freshwater West, Pembrokeshire, South Wales
Find it: “Such a beautiful place to be with friends.”
Detail: Shell Cottage was a set that was built on the beach and is no longer there. It’s a beautiful beach but the currents make it a pretty treacherous swim, so be mindful of that.
Honestly, I might just go here for a good cry.
13 Years Later
That about completes my list of the top Harry Potter filming locations that you can visit in the U.K., friends. I hope all of you Potterheads are feeling inspired and ready to head out on your travels.
To visit the very destinations that were used to bring to life the story of the Boy Who Lived… what a privilege.
Let me know in the comments if you’ve visited any of these locations or if you plan to!
Research references:
Harry Potter filming locations listed on IMDb.
Individual location information linked throughout the body of the post.
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