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Do you consider yourself a Potterhead, have been brought up with the magical universe created by J.K. Rowling?
Well, this is the right place for you – I thought I’d share with you the best Harry Potter locations in London today!
I’ve already written about some of the coolest Harry Potter shops in London a while back, but when you’re a Potterhead, you’ll see.
There are many magical things to do in London that pertain to the Harry Potter world!
These Are The Must See Harry Potter Locations in London
When you’re planning to travel to London for the first time, a visit to Harry Potter filming locations is always welcome.
They double as some of the most famous landmarks in London, too, like St Paul’s Cathedral or King’s Cross station.
In this guide, I’ll share with you all the most popular – and my favorite Harry Potter locations in London.
Between a visit to some of the secret free rooftops we have in time to beautiful Neapolitan pizza, these filming spots will bring you back in time!
Best Harry Potter Locations in London: Claremont Square
Islington in North London boasts some of the most unique shops, with handmade products and cute cafes to work.
That’s also where you’ll find Claremont Square, the real life location for Harry Potter’s Grimmauld Place, seen for the first time in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
One of the best French patisseries in London, Belle Epoque Patisserie, is also situated in Islington, so why not embark on a two birds one stone kind of situation?
Read: How to Spend 24 Hours in London
Best Harry Potter Locations in London: Reptile House, London Zoo
In Regent’s Park, you do not only have some of the most secret gardens in London, including a cute Japanese garden.
You also have the London Zoo, and inside, the Reptile House, first spotted in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
Remember, after Dudley and Harry both got ice cream and we learned Harry could speak Parseltongue?
Regent’s Park is one of the prettiest neighborhoods in London, and definitely worth a walk around when you’re done at the zoo!
Read: The Best Cinnamon Buns in London
Best Harry Potter Locations in London: Ministry of Magic Entrance
There isn’t much to do here except use the beauty of the architecture as a photo spot, but the Ministry of Magic entrance is still a filming location I couldn’t overlook.
It’s located at the crossroads between Scotland Place and Great Scotland Yard, and while you will find exactly the same buildings, you won’t find the red telephone booth there.
Still good if you want to create a Harry Potter itinerary for yourself, but there are better things to see…
Like the Harry Potter Warner Bros studios, in Leavesden.
Read: The Best Bagels in London
Best Harry Potter Locations in London: Warner Bros Studio Tour
It wouldn’t feel right to talk about Harry Potter locations in London and not mention the Warner Bros Studio Tour.
If you’re looking for magical places in London, grab a ticket and get ready for the experience of a lifetime.
From several shops to props, items, decor, food, clothes, sketches and designs, you’ll find here every detail that helped make Harry Potter what it is.
If you’re looking for romantic date ideas in London, I’ve always felt that the Warner Bros studios are a great option.
The atmosphere gets extra special during Halloween and Christmas, and you will see the studios decorated exactly like in the movies for the special holidays.
Instagrammable much?
Read: The Best Doughnuts in London
Harry Potter Locations in London: King’s Cross Station
King’s Cross Station is a must on your bucket list of Harry Potter things to do in London.
Why?
Because this is the place where it all began, in a way.
St Pancras International Station/King’s Cross Station is where you see the young wizard meet the Weasleys and run towards platforms 9 and 10.
The St Pancras Renaissance Hotel’s Gothic architecture was used in the Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets movie, with the flying Ford Anglia.
This feels so nostalgic, but it’s also good to keep in mind that if you’re ever after instagrammable places in London, the lobby of the hotel is a top pick.
The grand stairs were used in the Spice Girls’ Wannabe music video too, and clearly is one of the best photo spots in London!
Read: The Best Vegan Bakeries in London
Harry Potter Locations in London: Leadenhall Market
Leadenhall Market is one of the most beautiful Harry Potter filming locations in London, and really well preserved too!
The colourful marketplace dates back from the Victorian era – over 700 years of History and counting!
You might recognize Leadenhall Market from being home to the Leaky Cauldron, also known as the secret entrance to Diagon Alley.
One of the cutest bakeries in London, Aux Merveilleux de Fred, is located inside Leadenhall Market and a treat if you want to rest for a bit.
In the first movie, you can spot little Harry and Hagrid walking through the market looking for Diagon Alley to buy Wizarding supplies.
And well, Harry Potter supplies are definitely still some of the best things to buy in London – and Leadenhall Market will provide plenty of beautiful pictures too!
Read: The Best Cupcakes in London
Best Harry Potter Locations in London: Piccadilly Circus
Remember when the movies started to take on a dark twist and the golden trio was left to run alone so they could protect the ones they love the most?
When they hastily leave the wedding, Harry, Ron and Hermione are seen appearing between Piccadilly Circus and Shaftesbury Avenue.
One of the trendiest areas in London, Piccadilly Circus is home to breakdancers, Hard Rock Cafe and screens lit at all times of the day.
What if I told you the crew had to close nearly all of Piccadilly Circus so they could film back in the day?
This is rarely allowed in London, yet they managed to bring action vehicles to play the cars and buses and over 300 extras to have as “tourists”!
Read: The Best Cookies in London
Best Harry Potter Locations in London: Westminster Tube Station
The Westminster Tube station is another one of the most famous Harry Potter locations in London, and post production didn’t change a thing to the station.
The cool thing about this place is that if you come upstairs, you will also enjoy free views of Big Ben and Westminster Abbey.
Pro tip: for beautiful pictures, get away from the tourist crowd.
Instead, cross Westminster Bridge.
Go downstairs to the tunnel on the left side (opposite side of London’s Eye) to take a beautiful shot of the Palace of Westminster, Big Ben and the River Thames.
Read: The Best Nontouristy Things to Do in London
Harry Potter Locations in London: Australia House
In my opinion, the Australia House is one of the most magical places in London, but unfortunately, you cannot enter.
Used as the face of Gringott’s Bank, the place had barely any changes made for the needs of the movies.
It’s already a building with beautiful marble stones, columns and chandeliers all over the place and definitely offers that magical vibe.
Even if you’re not allowed inside the building, if you’re on a hunt for Harry Potter things to do in London, snapping a shot of the facade is still worth it!
Read: The Best Gluten Free Bakeries in London
Best Harry Potter Locations in London: The Tower Bridge
Care for a last-minute flying lesson?
It is true that Tower Bridge ended up playing a rather small part in the movie, but it’s still one of the most famous Harry Potter locations in London.
In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, we can spot the bridge when Harry and the Order fly over London to 12 Grimmauld Place.
Tower Bridge was built between 1886 and 1894, and is a beautiful Victorian building that doubles as both a pedestrian and transport bridge over the River Thames.
This is one of the most instagrammable places in London and really worth the visit, given the many possible angles for photos!
Read: The Best Halal Restaurants in Covent Garden
Harry Potter Locations in London: Lambeth Bridge
Do you remember in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, when the Knight Bus has to squeeze to fit between two double-decker red buses?
The Knight Bus crosses the Lambeth Bridge which offers some really beautiful views of London.
Lambeth is located South of the river, which tends to be a bit richer and offers really nice streets to walk around.
Read: The Best Shops for Cheap Clothes in London
Other Harry Potter Locations in London
In these other Harry Potter locations in London, I want to also share Harry Potter shops and experiences.
I will talk about these more lengthily in my guide to the Harry Potter stuff to do in London, with statues, art, shops, everything blended together.
For now, don’t forget your camera – or your wand!
Other Harry Potter Locations in London: Platform 9 and 3/4 Shop
The Harry Potter shop at Platform 9 3/4 is probably one of the most famous landmarks in London at this point – if you only saw the queue!
They have a trolley photo opportunity at the entrance, and they lend you the scarf of your choice with a hand – you do have to pay for the picture but it’s still a great memory!
One of the most unique shops in London, this Harry Potter shop is filled with figurines, stationery, clothes and much, much more. So dreamy!
Read: The Best Shopping Centers in London
Other Harry Potter Locations in London: Stoney Street
Borough Market was featured a couple of times in the HP movies – in the third movie, Diagon Alley’s entrance is located there, on Stoney Street.
This is probably one of the most secret Harry Potter locations in London, one that many overlook when visiting the city.
When the Innkeeper Tom takes Harry’s suitcase off the Knight Bus and enters a place inside through the archway, that’s the El Pastor Restaurant on Stoney Street.
Probably some of the best Mexican food in London, and you’re right in the heart of one of the most famous street food spots too!
Read: The Best Charity Shops in London
Best Harry Potter Locations in London: St Paul’s Cathedral
There are lots of hidden gems in London located around St Paul’s Cathedral, and let me bring you just one more.
The Hogwarts Divination Stairwell is one of the most crucial sets in the Harry Potter movies in my opinion, and it stands in St Paul’s Cathedral.
You will recognize it from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and Neville is upset after the unforgivable curse lesson with ‘Mad Eye Moody’.
You do have to pay to enter St Paul’s, but it’s clearly one of the most magical places in London!
Read: The Cutest Pink Places in London
Other Harry Potter Locations in London: Millennium Bridge
The Millenium Bridge is in my opinion one of the most beautiful bridges in London, and the one completely destroyed in the sixth movies.
The Millennium Bridge was inaugurated in 2000, and it was also called the ‘Wobbly Bridge’ since it had complications during its construction.
The structure was unsafe and the Millennium Bridge was immediately shut down, before reopening two years later.
Nowadays, it’s one of the most instagrammable places in London, especially for a good photoshoot with some of the best views in the city in the background.
Read: The Most Instagrammable Cafes in London
Other Harry Potter Locations in London: Cutter and Squidge!
Now, let’s talk about something a bit different: a Harry Potter themed afternoon tea in London, right in the heart of Soho!
What’s that for a completely new experience?
Cutter and Squidge is a business run by Head Girls Annabel & Emily, an entertaining tea experience blended with all-natural sweets.
There are so many cool things to do in Soho, but I have to admit that a Harry Potter afternoon tea does make sense!
Handcrafted savory snacks, tea and much more await you at this exclusive afternoon tea experience.
And since you’re nearby, make sure to give the House of Minalima a try – the perfect Harry Potter shop backed by the magnificent duo of designers behind the magical world!
Read: The Cutest Pink Cafes in London
These Are The Must See Harry Potter Locations in London
There you have them, all the best Harry Potter locations in London!
I hope you enjoyed getting a taste of magic with this guide, and will be able to find them all to snap ethereal pictures!
There are lots of other really magical places in London, like the church ruins of St Dunstan in the East – definitely a must visit!
Whether you live in London or are visiting for the first time, there are plenty of cool Harry Potter things to do in London, and this should keep you busy for a while!
Until next time!
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