Harry Potter tour in London: film locations
London, a city full of contrasts that welcomes 30 million tourists every year, is famous for being the setting of many moments of the world-famous Harry Potter saga. Buildings, streets and even markets of the British capital were the setting for the most emblematic scenes of the film.
In addition, the city hides many places that inspired the writer J.K Rowling to create her literary works. That is why fans from all over the world flock to London looking to relive the adventures of the protagonists in the city.
One of the most popular Harry Potter scenes in London is Diagon Alley in Leadenhall Market. It was in this covered market where the scenes of the first movie were filmed in which Hagrid and Harry go to buy everything they need for the first course of magic at Hogwarts.
Now you can walk around the premises imagining the vendors selling owls, potions and spells books and the inimitable Ollivanders wands. The most curious can look for the blue door through which the protagonists entered the Leaky Cauldron, although in the Muggle world it is the entrance to an optician's shop.
The famous sign for Platform 9 ¾ in London was placed at King's Cross station between platforms 9 and 10, where Hogwarts students had to cross the brick wall in order to get to the train that took them to the school of magic every year. Now it is a perfect place to visit and take pictures remembering the moments when the protagonists crossed into the magical world to get on the Hogwarts Express.
Gringotts Bank is another must-see stop on a Harry Potter tour. The scenes that take place in the bank, run and operated by the haughty goblins, were filmed in the Australian embassy building. Although admission is not free, admiring the facade and imagining the three protagonists escaping on dragonback makes the sight worthwhile.
A great way to visit the highlights of the films is to join a Harry Potter tour in London. These guided tours combine stops at various landmarks such as Trafalgar Square or Piccadilly Circus with anecdotes and stories from the films.
The guides liven up the tour and get visitors into the atmosphere of the saga, exploring the city from the point of view of a real wizard.
They even visit the buildings that served as inspiration for the design of the Ministries of Magic and Defense. The tours often also include the places that inspired JK Rowling, making these tours a truly magical experience.
If you have enough time, don't hesitate to visit the Harry Potter studios at Warner Bros. (The Making of Harry Potter), located just outside London. Here you can learn how the magical creatures were brought to life on screen, what costumes the stars wore and how the special effects were created.
In the studios you can even tour the replicas of sets such as the Forbidden Forest and the Great Dining Room, decorated down to the smallest detail to make visitors feel as if they were inside the film.
It is also possible to visit Professor Umbridge's office or the Pensive in Dumbledore's office, as well as to admire the uniforms and costumes that characterized the different characters throughout the filming of the movies.
In addition to the permanent exhibitions, Warner Bros. studios organize temporary exhibitions of specific scenes, such as the Christmas Ball from the fourth film. All in all, visiting these studios is an unforgettable experience for fans of all ages.
Note that the studios are in Watford, but can be easily reached from central London by train, a journey that can take 20 to 40 minutes (depending on the train you take).
Luckily for fans of the saga, there are plenty of Harry Potter stores in London where you can find everything from postcards from the films to full-scale replicas of the Nimbus 2000. The best known are House of MinaLima and the Harry Potter Shop, located near the Platform 9 ¾ sign at King's Cross.
The former is owned by graphic designers Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima, creators of the unparalleled graphic style of the Harry Potter films. Their creative genius led them to open this store and gallery located next to Covent Garden, where visitors can admire their designs and buy the most authentic souvenirs.
On the other hand, in the Harry Potter Shop you can find all kinds of merchandising: from robes and T-shirts of the four Hogwarts houses to replicas of the Marauder's Map and Deathly Hallows pendants. A curiosity about this store is that its owner is the actor Warwick Davis, who acted in the films as Professor Flitwick and Griphook.
The castle that served as the inspiration for Hogwarts is Alnwick Castle, which dates back to the 11th century. Although it still serves today as the residence of the Duke of Northumberland and his family, there is a large part open to the public where guided tours and activities of all kinds are organized.
Perhaps the most attractive for fans of the saga are the broomstick flying lessons. In these sessions, flight instructors explain to students how to mount and dismount, accelerate and brake and, in short, all the tricks necessary to learn how to maneuver a flying broom.
It should be noted that the castle is located two hours from Edinburgh and tourists usually visit it from that city. The best way to get to Alnwick Castle from London is to take one of the London North Eastern Railway trains to Alnmouth and then a bus to the castle. Although it is a bit of a long journey, the views and the destination make it well worth it.
If you're ready to experience the magic, book a free Harry Potter tour in London and take a tour of the saga with a local Spanish-speaking guide - you'll be totally immersed in the atmosphere of the film and learn all the details in a fun and entertaining way!
By Georgina Blasco
In addition, the city hides many places that inspired the writer J.K Rowling to create her literary works. That is why fans from all over the world flock to London looking to relive the adventures of the protagonists in the city.
What to see in London if you are a Harry Potter fan
Leadenhall Market
One of the most popular Harry Potter scenes in London is Diagon Alley in Leadenhall Market. It was in this covered market where the scenes of the first movie were filmed in which Hagrid and Harry go to buy everything they need for the first course of magic at Hogwarts.
Now you can walk around the premises imagining the vendors selling owls, potions and spells books and the inimitable Ollivanders wands. The most curious can look for the blue door through which the protagonists entered the Leaky Cauldron, although in the Muggle world it is the entrance to an optician's shop.
Poster of Platform 9 ¾ (Hogwarts Express)
The famous sign for Platform 9 ¾ in London was placed at King's Cross station between platforms 9 and 10, where Hogwarts students had to cross the brick wall in order to get to the train that took them to the school of magic every year. Now it is a perfect place to visit and take pictures remembering the moments when the protagonists crossed into the magical world to get on the Hogwarts Express.
Gringotts Bank
Gringotts Bank is another must-see stop on a Harry Potter tour. The scenes that take place in the bank, run and operated by the haughty goblins, were filmed in the Australian embassy building. Although admission is not free, admiring the facade and imagining the three protagonists escaping on dragonback makes the sight worthwhile.
Harry Potter Tour in London
A great way to visit the highlights of the films is to join a Harry Potter tour in London. These guided tours combine stops at various landmarks such as Trafalgar Square or Piccadilly Circus with anecdotes and stories from the films.
The guides liven up the tour and get visitors into the atmosphere of the saga, exploring the city from the point of view of a real wizard.
They even visit the buildings that served as inspiration for the design of the Ministries of Magic and Defense. The tours often also include the places that inspired JK Rowling, making these tours a truly magical experience.
Harry Potter Studios in London
If you have enough time, don't hesitate to visit the Harry Potter studios at Warner Bros. (The Making of Harry Potter), located just outside London. Here you can learn how the magical creatures were brought to life on screen, what costumes the stars wore and how the special effects were created.
In the studios you can even tour the replicas of sets such as the Forbidden Forest and the Great Dining Room, decorated down to the smallest detail to make visitors feel as if they were inside the film.
It is also possible to visit Professor Umbridge's office or the Pensive in Dumbledore's office, as well as to admire the uniforms and costumes that characterized the different characters throughout the filming of the movies.
In addition to the permanent exhibitions, Warner Bros. studios organize temporary exhibitions of specific scenes, such as the Christmas Ball from the fourth film. All in all, visiting these studios is an unforgettable experience for fans of all ages.
Note that the studios are in Watford, but can be easily reached from central London by train, a journey that can take 20 to 40 minutes (depending on the train you take).
Harry Potter stores in London
Luckily for fans of the saga, there are plenty of Harry Potter stores in London where you can find everything from postcards from the films to full-scale replicas of the Nimbus 2000. The best known are House of MinaLima and the Harry Potter Shop, located near the Platform 9 ¾ sign at King's Cross.
The former is owned by graphic designers Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima, creators of the unparalleled graphic style of the Harry Potter films. Their creative genius led them to open this store and gallery located next to Covent Garden, where visitors can admire their designs and buy the most authentic souvenirs.
On the other hand, in the Harry Potter Shop you can find all kinds of merchandising: from robes and T-shirts of the four Hogwarts houses to replicas of the Marauder's Map and Deathly Hallows pendants. A curiosity about this store is that its owner is the actor Warwick Davis, who acted in the films as Professor Flitwick and Griphook.
Harry Potter Castle: how to get there from London
The castle that served as the inspiration for Hogwarts is Alnwick Castle, which dates back to the 11th century. Although it still serves today as the residence of the Duke of Northumberland and his family, there is a large part open to the public where guided tours and activities of all kinds are organized.
Perhaps the most attractive for fans of the saga are the broomstick flying lessons. In these sessions, flight instructors explain to students how to mount and dismount, accelerate and brake and, in short, all the tricks necessary to learn how to maneuver a flying broom.
It should be noted that the castle is located two hours from Edinburgh and tourists usually visit it from that city. The best way to get to Alnwick Castle from London is to take one of the London North Eastern Railway trains to Alnmouth and then a bus to the castle. Although it is a bit of a long journey, the views and the destination make it well worth it.
If you're ready to experience the magic, book a free Harry Potter tour in London and take a tour of the saga with a local Spanish-speaking guide - you'll be totally immersed in the atmosphere of the film and learn all the details in a fun and entertaining way!
By Georgina Blasco
28
November,
2019
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